[Grammar] THE article for generalization

[Kotfor]

The article THE can generalize things, right?

The rose is a flower I like. = Roses are flowers I like

The rose encompasses all the roses in the world. However, in a test I came across

___ nickel is a ten-cent coin. (the rigth answer is - A)

I wonder, is THE not acceptable?

A nickel is a ten-cent coin. = any nickel is a ten-cent coin.

Any means All thus

The nickel is a ten-cent coin.

It's seems to me like A and THE are possible, right? What do you think about it?

 

[emsr2d2]

I agree with you that both "a" and "the" are possible and natural.

 

[Gillnetter]

It could be either one. A nickle is a five cent coin. A dime is a ten cent coin.

 

[emsr2d2]

It could be either one. A nickle is a five cent coin. A dime is a ten cent coin.

Wow, is it really spelt "nickle"?

 

[Gillnetter]

Wow, is it really spelt "nickle"?

It can be spelled either way (nickle or nickel). Nickle is usually used when referring to the coin and nickel is used when referring to the metal, nickle. Most writers will use "nickel", but "nickle" is in common usage.

 

[emsr2d2]

Well, that's my thing for today learnt!