favourite animal is panda

[joham]

One of my net friends says 'My favourite animal is panda' is a good sentence.
I think there must be a 'the' before 'panda'. Am I right?

Thank you in advance.

[EnglishRyan]

Yes, you are.

Alternatively, your friend could say:

My favourite animals are pandas.

Ryan

PS - My favourite animal is the deep sea angler (do you know this one?)

[BobK]

You can also say, in some contexts, 'My favourite animal is a panda', though in most cases "the" would be the right choice; you need some kind of article though. Otherwise, the sentence sounds rather blood-thirsty: 'My favourite animal['s meat] is panda [which is delicious although it can be a bit stringy if under-done].'

b

[EnglishRyan]

haha, save the neck for me

[joham]

Yes, you are.

Alternatively, your friend could say:

My favourite animals are pandas.

Ryan

PS - My favourite animal is the deep sea angler (do you know this one?)

Thank you very much for your help. But what is a deep sea angler? Could you tell me more?

[EnglishRyan]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Type 'deep sea angler' into Google. It think it was also in that movie Finding Nemo.

Ryan

[acorn]

You can also say, in some contexts, 'My favourite animal is a panda', though in most cases "the" would be the right choice; you need some kind of article though. Otherwise, the sentence sounds rather blood-thirsty: 'My favourite animal['s meat] is panda [which is delicious although it can be a bit stringy if under-done].'

b

'My favourite animal is a panda'
Yes this is also acceptable but it sounds like the favorite animal is a particular panda. Funny how the indefinite article can also denote something definite.

[BobK]

'My favourite animal is a panda'
Yes this is also acceptable but it sounds like the favorite animal is a particular panda. Funny how the indefinite article can also denote something definite.

That's an interesting thought. I wouldn't have thought of putting it that way, but you're right.

b

[peter123]

Hi there,
Interesting to know that. But how about 'tennis'?
My favourite sport is tennis OR the tennis?
Why did you add 'the' before 'panda', but not 'the' in front of 'tennis'?
Thanks
pete

[albertino]

Hi there,
Interesting to know that. But how about 'tennis'?
My favourite sport is tennis OR the tennis?
Why did you add 'the' before 'panda', but not 'the' in front of 'tennis'?
Thanks
pete

Since "tennis" is an uncout noun, I think you can say so.
How about "My favourite sport is playing tennis"? Does it sound more favourable? (Not a teacher)