• Exciting news! With our new Ad-Free Premium Subscription you can enjoy a distraction-free browsing experience while supporting our site's growth. Without ads, you have less distractions and enjoy faster page load times. Upgrade is optional. Find out more here, and enjoy ad-free learning with us!

indefinite article

Status
Not open for further replies.

lille82

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Hungarian
Home Country
Hungary
Current Location
Hungary
"Many people think ants are a pest." Could anybody please explain why the usage of the indefinite article is correct in this sentence? Thanks.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
They are one of a group of insects commonly referred to as pests. It could just as easily have said "Many people think ants are pests".
 

lille82

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Hungarian
Home Country
Hungary
Current Location
Hungary
Could you give some other examples including this structure (plural noun + plural verb + a + singular noun?)
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
Some people think spiders are a pain in the neck.
Many people think that traffic wardens are a nightmare to deal with.
Very few people think film directors are a marvel.
 

lille82

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Hungarian
Home Country
Hungary
Current Location
Hungary
Thank you so much.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic

Winwin2011

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
Some people think spiders are a pain in the neck.
Many people think that traffic wardens are a nightmare to deal with.
Very few people think film directors are a marvel.

Hi ems

I am wondering if it is correct to say "Very few people think film directors are marvels."? Why do we use " a marvel" after "film directors are"?

Thanks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top