The/a house/number

[Rachel Adams]

Should I use the indefinite or the definite article before "number" and "house" when talking about them generally and can the article be omitted before "office"?


"All houses have their own numbers. If you don't say *a/the number* of *the/a* house or office, other people can get lost or will not reach the place."

 

[5jj]

Seriously, Rachel, do you really need to state the obvious? We all know that we need to give people our full address if we want them to be able to find our home.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I don't have to worry about articles when speaking Russian. What is the correct choice in my sentence? That's the question.

 

[Tdol]

As it is a specific number, use the definite article.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Do you mean "the" should be used before both "number" and "house" and before office too or "office" can be used without the article? I mean here *a/the number* of *the/a* house .

 

[emsr2d2]

Should I use the indefinite or the definite article before "number" and "house" when talking about them generally and can the article be omitted before "office"?

"All houses/offices have their own [STRIKE]numbers[/STRIKE] number. If you don't say [STRIKE]*a/[/STRIKE] the number of the [STRIKE]/a*[/STRIKE] house or office, [STRIKE]other[/STRIKE] people [STRIKE]can[/STRIKE] might get lost or [STRIKE]will not reach the place[/STRIKE] fail to find the right building."

emsr2d2

 

[Rachel Adams]

emsr2d2

Is "the number of *a* house or office" also correct? If I am not talking about the specific house/office.

 

[Tarheel]

If you are not talking about a specific building, why would you give them the number at all?
:-?

 

[emsr2d2]

Is "the number of *a* house or office" also correct? If I am not talking about the specific house/office.

Yes, it's possible.

Providing the number of a house or office is vital if you want your letter/parcel delivered successfully.

Having said that, it would be equally correct with "... the number of the house or office" because it would be taken to mean the specific house or office to which you are sending something.