headers
Thiago Nascimento | 5 Mar 2012 23:00
Picon

Use of definite article

Hi,

I've been writing about a news that I've read. An sentece which I've
written was:

"The way to control the money and deal with it is changing."

A native speaker has corrected me saying that the right way to write
this sentence is:

"The way to control money and deal with it is changing." (without the
article "the" before money).

So, I've not understood why I cannot use the definite article in this
case. Could anyone help me?

Thanks.

--
Thiago Nascimento
perl -e '$_="tMM naaCt Feocmama_itpUilucoGa";$_.=$1,print $2 while
s/(..)(.)//;print substr$_,1,1;'

------------------------------------

To unsubscribe, send a blank message to: EngFor-unsubscribe <at> yahoogroups.com
Permalink | Reply |
headers
Ann English | 6 Mar 2012 01:55
Picon

Re: Use of definite article


On 6/03/2012, at 11:00 am, Thiago Nascimento wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I've been writing about a news that I've read.

** Say "I've been writing about a news item [or "some news" uncountable] that I read [simple past]"

> An sentence which I've
> written was:

For style, say "A sentence which I wrote was:" or "A sentence which I've written is:"

> 
> "The way to control the money and deal with it is changing."
> 
> A native speaker has corrected me saying that the right way to write
> this sentence is:
> 
> "The way to control money and deal with it is changing." (without the
> article "the" before money).
> 
> So, I've not understood why I cannot use the definite article in this
> case. Could anyone help me?
> 

We use "money" in two ways.  
First, money means the notes and coins in our purse, or the total in our bank, or the cost of something.
Say "the money".  Example.  Do you have the money to buy a new coat?
(Continue reading)

Permalink | Reply |
headers
Thiago Nascimento | 6 Mar 2012 13:31
Picon

Re: Use of definite article

Thank you so much!

On Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 9:55 PM, Ann English <Ann.English <at> clear.net.nz>wrote:

> **
>
>
>
> On 6/03/2012, at 11:00 am, Thiago Nascimento wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've been writing about a news that I've read.
>
> ** Say "I've been writing about a news item [or "some news" uncountable]
> that I read [simple past]"
>
> > An sentence which I've
> > written was:
>
> For style, say "A sentence which I wrote was:" or "A sentence which I've
> written is:"
>
>
> >
> > "The way to control the money and deal with it is changing."
> >
> > A native speaker has corrected me saying that the right way to write
> > this sentence is:
> >
(Continue reading)

Permalink | Reply |
headers
Thiago Nascimento | 6 Mar 2012 16:19
Picon

Re: Use of definite article

On Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 9:55 PM, Ann English <Ann.English <at> clear.net.nz>wrote:

> **
>
>
>
> On 6/03/2012, at 11:00 am, Thiago Nascimento wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've been writing about a news that I've read.
>
> ** Say "I've been writing about a news item [or "some news" uncountable]
> that I read [simple past]"
>
Why cannot I use present perfect in this case?

>
> > An sentence which I've
> > written was:
>
> For style, say "A sentence which I wrote was:" or "A sentence which I've
> written is:"
>
>
> >
> > "The way to control the money and deal with it is changing."
> >
> > A native speaker has corrected me saying that the right way to write
> > this sentence is:
(Continue reading)

Permalink | Reply |
headers
Ann English | 6 Mar 2012 19:57
Picon

Re: Use of definite article


On 7/03/2012, at 4:19 am, Thiago Nascimento wrote:

> On Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 9:55 PM, Ann English <Ann.English <at> clear.net.nz>wrote:
> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I've been writing about a news that I've read.
>> 
>> ** Say "I've been writing about a news item [or "some news" uncountable]
>> that I read [simple past]"
>> 
> Why cannot I use present perfect in this case?
> 
> 

** Present perfect is used for actions from the past up to the present, with the possibility of continuing,
or not.
Example. "Beatrice has read The Economist every week for many years [up to now]." 

I think that the present perfect opens the possibility of continuing.  I think it is good style to say
something about what happens next. Example.  She will continue to read it [or, She will now cancel her subscription.]

I think "A news item that I read" [simple past] [pronounced /red/] is simple and clear.

I think "A news item that I have read" [present perfect] requires more for good style.
Example.  A news item that I have read but have not heard on the BBC. A news item that I have read, several times,
and find less convincing each time.
(Continue reading)

Permalink | Reply |
headers
Thiago Nascimento | 6 Mar 2012 20:02
Picon

Re: Use of definite article

Thanks again, Ann.

On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 3:57 PM, Ann English <Ann.English <at> clear.net.nz>wrote:

> **
>
>
>
> On 7/03/2012, at 4:19 am, Thiago Nascimento wrote:
>
> > On Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 9:55 PM, Ann English <Ann.English <at> clear.net.nz
> >wrote:
> >
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> I've been writing about a news that I've read.
> >>
> >> ** Say "I've been writing about a news item [or "some news" uncountable]
> >> that I read [simple past]"
> >>
> > Why cannot I use present perfect in this case?
> >
> >
>
> ** Present perfect is used for actions from the past up to the present,
> with the possibility of continuing, or not.
> Example. "Beatrice has read The Economist every week for many years [up to
> now]."
>
(Continue reading)

Permalink | Reply |

Gmane