Take a bus/a very slow kind of transport

[Rachel Adams]

Can I use "a bus" or should it always be "the bus?" Does "a very slow kind of transport" sound natural?


"I never take a bus because it's a very slow kind of transport."

 

[Barque]

Are you saying you never take a bus to go to a specific place, like your office for instance? If so, use "the".
Are you saying you never take a bus when you go out? If so, use "a".

Does "a very slow kind of transport" sound natural?

I'm afraid it doesn't.

because it's a very slow kind of transport.

... because it's slow.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Are you saying you never take a bus to go to a specific place, like your office for instance? If so, use "the".
Are you saying you never take a bus when you go out? If so, use "a".

Sorry, do you mean if I am talking about the places I often go to I should use "the"? But if I am talking about going out generally then it should be "a"?

I'm afraid it doesn't.


... because it's slow.

 

[Barque]

do you mean if I am talking about the places I often go to I should use "the"?

I'm talking about specific places. They may not necessarily be places you visit often.

I take the subway to go to work. I never take the bus because it's too slow.
"The" works here because you're referring to a specific bus or buses--the ones that stop near your home and also near your office.
You could also use "a bus" here, especially if there's more than one bus (route) to your destination. That'd mean "a bus that stops near my office".

I always catch a taxi when I go out. I never take a bus. It's too slow.
Here, I wouldn't use "the bus" because I'm not referring to a specific bus. I'm referring to buses in general.

 

[Tarheel]

@Rachel Adams Buses are too slow
To get me where I want to go.
I have to get on the bus by seven to be there by eight,
Because if I don't I will surely be late.