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Ask for help > Hello teachers!!
Hello teachers!!
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reniag
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Hello teachers!!
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I have a problem and I need your help. Why sometimes do we use a definite article before season. It sounds strange to me and I woild be grateful for any explanetion.
This is an example from the book I �m teaching from. e.g. Our bedroom was freezing in the winter. ( the text is about 50s in the UK and the differences between present and past) |
19 Nov 2009
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natalli
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The definite article is used when reference is made to a particular winter, spring, etc present, past or future, or to a season of a particular year. I think that �s the explanation in your case. |
19 Nov 2009
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reniag
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Thank you very much for your answer:)
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19 Nov 2009
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Nelssa
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You might write
Our bedroom was freezing in the winter.- Our bedroom was freezing THAT winter.
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19 Nov 2009
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customer
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I think that we can talk about seasons with or without the definite article, without any particular difference in meaning... |
19 Nov 2009
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Malvine
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Yah, I agree with customer. |
19 Nov 2009
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gloriawpai
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with or without - it doesn �t matter
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20 Nov 2009
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alien boy
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Here are a couple of items from Swann that explain the use of the definite article:
days, months and seasons
We drop the when we mean �the day/month before or after this one �.
Where were you last Saturday? See you on Thursday.
I was away in April. We �re moving next September.
To talk about the seasons in general, we can say spring or the spring, summer or the summer, etc. There is little difference.
Rome is lovely in (the) spring. I like (the) winter best.
When we are talking about particular springs, summers etc, we are more likely to use the.
I worked very hard in the summer that year.
and:
� To say �You know which I mean �, we put the before a noun.
I �ve been to the doctor. (You know which one: my doctor.)
Have you fed the dogs? (You know which ones I mean.)
Could you pass the salt? (You can see the salt that I want.)
Regards,
AB |
20 Nov 2009
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