Bea sat in a cafe at the table

[Bassim]

I am wondering if my sentence is grammatically correct.

Bea sat in a cafe at the table by the window, absorbed in thoughts, unaware of the buzzing of voices inside and the heavy traffic outside.

 

[Rover_KE]

I'd say 'lost in thought'.

 

[teechar]

Bea sat in a cafe at [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] a table by the window

.

 

[shimacatu_sa]

Is "by the window" a set phrase? Do I have to say "by the window" even if there are other windows in the cafe? Are "near the window", "near the door" and "by the door" the same?

 

[probus]

You can use all of those freely.

I think "by the ..." is the most general and flexible. My father was a Chartered Accountant. When he was teaching me the difference between debits and credits, he said the debits are the ones by the window, and the credits are the ones by the door. In other words, the distinction is purely arbitrary.

 

[GoesStation]

Is "by the window" a set phrase? Do I have to say "by the window" even if there are other windows in the cafe?

No. Say by the window if the cafe has only one window or if you have previously specified which window you're talking about.

Are "near the window", "near the door" and "by the door" the same?

Near and by the door are very nearly the same. Anything that's by the door is also near it. I'd be more likely to use by if the object was extremely close to the door. If it was practically touching the door I'd say right by the door.