article "an"

Status
Not open for further replies.

GUEST2008

Key Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
German
Home Country
Germany
Current Location
Sweden
Hi

I'm applying for the position of (an) English teacher.

I'm an English teacher.

--- Should I use the article "an" in both cases? If not, why?

Thanks
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Hi

I'm applying for the position of (an) English teacher.

I'm an English teacher.

--- Should I use the article "an" in both cases? If not, why?

Thanks

I'm an English teacher - yes.

I'm applying for the position of an English teacher - no. You are clearly applying for a specific position (the position) so it is simply described as "the position of English teacher".

There is a difference when you use "position of":

I saw your advert for an English teacher.
I saw your advert for the position of English teacher.

It may help to imagine that "English Teacher" is the job title, so when you use "position of", it is followed by the actual job title.

With a more unspecific position, you may need the article:

Is there a position open for an English teacher?
Do you have any positions for an English teacher?
 

Abstract Idea

Key Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Portuguese
Home Country
Brazil
Current Location
United States
What about
'I'm applying for an English teacher position'
 

sarat_106

Key Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Oriya
Home Country
India
Current Location
India
What about
'I'm applying for an English teacher position'


If your sentence ends there without further reference, the answer is ‘yes’. If followed by a clause, definite article 'the' is necessary; as:
'I'm applying for the English teacher’s position that was advertised recently.'
 

GUEST2008

Key Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
German
Home Country
Germany
Current Location
Sweden
'I'm applying for the English teacher’s position that was advertised recently.'

Is the "'s" really necessary? Instead of just: "the English teacher position".

Thanks
 

GUEST2008

Key Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
German
Home Country
Germany
Current Location
Sweden
'I'm applying for the English teacher’s position that was advertised recently.'

Hi

One more thing, shouldn't it rather be: ... that's been advertised recently.

Thanks
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Hi

One more thing, shouldn't it rather be: ... that's been advertised recently.

Thanks

It depends. If the advert appeared in several newspapers and was re-advertised several times, you might say "that has been advertised", but usually in job applications, you are referring to one specific advert that you saw, in one newspaper on one date.

I would like to apply for the English teacher position that was advertised in The Daily News on 5/6/2010.

That specific job was advertised in that paper on that day.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top