14:06 Nov 20, 2017 |
English language (monolingual) [PRO] General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / English Grammar, Articles | |||||||
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| Selected response from: Robert Forstag United States Local time: 17:52 | ||||||
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SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED | ||||
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4 +6 | [See below.] |
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4 | highly, almost uniquely |
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2 | the one |
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Summary of reference entries provided | |||
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This may help explain it |
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he was a/the .... the one Explanation: This is to emphasis this strong characteristic of him, not to tell he was an ordinary/common storyteller |
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he was a/the .... highly, almost uniquely Explanation: Using "a" you simply state his virtues, but he still ranks among most good storytellers. With "the" you make him stand from the crowd - you will hardly ever meet anyone as good as him. Well worded by Robert: among the very greatest. -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 31 mins (2017-11-20 14:37:55 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- Agree with Robert's addendum too. Then again, it's Grisham, no surprise if he goes a bit over the top at times. |
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he was a/the .... [See below.] Explanation: The meaning would be essentially the same if “a” had been used instead. The use of “the” strengthens the meaning, conveying not just that he was a “great” storyteller, but “among the very greatest.” (I read this book in a Spanish translation some years ago, and I enjoyed it.) -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 21 mins (2017-11-20 14:28:31 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- Since “consummate” is an adjective that means “showing a high degree of skill,” the shade of meaning conveyed by the use of one or the other word is subtle indeed. -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2017-11-20 15:31:25 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- In sum, and as Phil suggests, it is unclear that using “the” rather than “a” would indicate a different intended meaning in this particular context.” “The” may be intended to convey the stronger meaning I originally suggested. Then again, it may not. The one thing certain is that the use of the definite rather than the indefinite article in such contexts does not “weaken” the meaning. Such are the nuances and complexities of language. |
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