[Grammar] articles

[marker]

Which sentence is correct?

A story described in this book is John Brown's true story.
The story described in this book is John Brown's true story.

Thanks for replies .

 

[emsr2d2]

If there is only one story told in the book, then it's the story. If there is more than one story in the book, then John Brown's story is a​ story in the book.

 

[Soup Chicken]

NOT A TEACHER. :n00b:

It depends on what you're trying to say, if you ask me. If you're trying to say that in a collection of stories, one describes that of John Brown's, you should go with the first one. I'd prefer "One of the stories described in this book is John Brown's true story" to avoid confusion.

On the other hand, if the whole book describes John Brown's true story, go with the latter.

I think you can use the first one in other contexts too, but I won't be the best person to cite/explain them as I am not sure myself.

Also, Rover_KE always says he prefers posts without "Thanks in advance" at the end because there is a "Thank" button for that.

 

[Soup Chicken]

If there is only one story told in the book, then it's the story. If there is more than one story in the book, then John Brown's story is a​ story in the book.

This makes me realize that I need to work on my verbosity a bit. Your post explains everything and in much fewer words.

 

[Tdol]

I wouldn't use the verb describe here for a story; I would say that one of the stories in the book is John Brown's story.

 

[Soup Chicken]

Well, what if the book is a collection of story descriptions?

 

[5jj]

Have you ever come across such a thing, Soup Chicken?

 

[Tdol]

Well, what if the book is a collection of story descriptions?

It would probably be a collection of summaries of stories.