a vs the (PART II)

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

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• 7 May 2015

• #1

Hello, native English speakers,

When waiting for _(a)_ elevator to come or __(b)__ traffic light to change, most Japanese people become irritated in only thirty seconds.

Which would be correct for each blank?
(a) an or the
(b) a or the

I think that "the" would be suitable for each blank.
How would it sound to use "an" and "a" for each blank?

Hirashin

 

WonkoTheSane

先輩

12 May 2013

1,335

311

• 8 May 2015

• #2

Use 'an' if the next word starts with a vowel sound. Use 'a' if it starts with a consonant sound.

An elevator
A traffic light
An hour (used to show that the sound, not the letter, is what determines a vs an)
A horse

Aside from that caveat, 'a/an' and 'the' are both fine throughout the sentence in any combination.

 

Mike Cash

骨も命も皆此の土地に埋めよう

Twenty-year veteran

15 Mar 2002

16,758

2,298

• 8 May 2015

• #3

Each is possible because it is possible to think of those as speaking of elevators and traffic lights in general or as speaking of specific ones.

 

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

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• 10 May 2015

• Thread starter
• #4

Thanks for the help, Wonko and Mike.