“A vs. One” in this context
As well as hoping to encourage children to catch the reading bug, WBD also hope to get reluctant adults hooked on books. So, for the first time, WORLD BOOK DAY will also have an adult focus, with the launch of Quick Reads, ________ selection of short, fast-paced stories.
This is a CAE, Use of English exercise in which students have to put one word. According to the answer key, only the indefinite article a works. However, why not one?
grammar
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
add a comment |
As well as hoping to encourage children to catch the reading bug, WBD also hope to get reluctant adults hooked on books. So, for the first time, WORLD BOOK DAY will also have an adult focus, with the launch of Quick Reads, ________ selection of short, fast-paced stories.
This is a CAE, Use of English exercise in which students have to put one word. According to the answer key, only the indefinite article a works. However, why not one?
grammar
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
"So far, he has published two novels, two cookbooks and one selection of short stories" would be ok. But your text is not about numbers, it's about a type of book.
– Centaurus
Mar 20 at 14:51
add a comment |
As well as hoping to encourage children to catch the reading bug, WBD also hope to get reluctant adults hooked on books. So, for the first time, WORLD BOOK DAY will also have an adult focus, with the launch of Quick Reads, ________ selection of short, fast-paced stories.
This is a CAE, Use of English exercise in which students have to put one word. According to the answer key, only the indefinite article a works. However, why not one?
grammar
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
As well as hoping to encourage children to catch the reading bug, WBD also hope to get reluctant adults hooked on books. So, for the first time, WORLD BOOK DAY will also have an adult focus, with the launch of Quick Reads, ________ selection of short, fast-paced stories.
This is a CAE, Use of English exercise in which students have to put one word. According to the answer key, only the indefinite article a works. However, why not one?
grammar
grammar
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
asked Mar 20 at 14:41
georgegeorge
397314
397314
"So far, he has published two novels, two cookbooks and one selection of short stories" would be ok. But your text is not about numbers, it's about a type of book.
– Centaurus
Mar 20 at 14:51
add a comment |
"So far, he has published two novels, two cookbooks and one selection of short stories" would be ok. But your text is not about numbers, it's about a type of book.
– Centaurus
Mar 20 at 14:51
"So far, he has published two novels, two cookbooks and one selection of short stories" would be ok. But your text is not about numbers, it's about a type of book.
– Centaurus
Mar 20 at 14:51
"So far, he has published two novels, two cookbooks and one selection of short stories" would be ok. But your text is not about numbers, it's about a type of book.
– Centaurus
Mar 20 at 14:51
add a comment |
1 Answer
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In English the indefinite article (a or an) should be used for a single item, unless you intend to emphasise the number. So for example we say "he wrote a book" when the writing or the book is the focus, but "he only wrote one book" when highlighting the number of books. Also compare "do you want a beer?" (yes or no, the number is not emphasised) vs "do you want one beer or two?" where two numbers are contrasted and a number is expected in reply.
In your example the number of releases is not the focus, so you should use a.
https://www.englishtrackers.com/english-blog/one-vs-a-singularly-confusing/
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
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Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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I never know how to express this as well as you have done.
– Lambie
Mar 22 at 15:10
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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active
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
In English the indefinite article (a or an) should be used for a single item, unless you intend to emphasise the number. So for example we say "he wrote a book" when the writing or the book is the focus, but "he only wrote one book" when highlighting the number of books. Also compare "do you want a beer?" (yes or no, the number is not emphasised) vs "do you want one beer or two?" where two numbers are contrasted and a number is expected in reply.
In your example the number of releases is not the focus, so you should use a.
https://www.englishtrackers.com/english-blog/one-vs-a-singularly-confusing/
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
New contributor
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I never know how to express this as well as you have done.
– Lambie
Mar 22 at 15:10
add a comment |
In English the indefinite article (a or an) should be used for a single item, unless you intend to emphasise the number. So for example we say "he wrote a book" when the writing or the book is the focus, but "he only wrote one book" when highlighting the number of books. Also compare "do you want a beer?" (yes or no, the number is not emphasised) vs "do you want one beer or two?" where two numbers are contrasted and a number is expected in reply.
In your example the number of releases is not the focus, so you should use a.
https://www.englishtrackers.com/english-blog/one-vs-a-singularly-confusing/
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
New contributor
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I never know how to express this as well as you have done.
– Lambie
Mar 22 at 15:10
add a comment |
In English the indefinite article (a or an) should be used for a single item, unless you intend to emphasise the number. So for example we say "he wrote a book" when the writing or the book is the focus, but "he only wrote one book" when highlighting the number of books. Also compare "do you want a beer?" (yes or no, the number is not emphasised) vs "do you want one beer or two?" where two numbers are contrasted and a number is expected in reply.
In your example the number of releases is not the focus, so you should use a.
https://www.englishtrackers.com/english-blog/one-vs-a-singularly-confusing/
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
New contributor
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
In English the indefinite article (a or an) should be used for a single item, unless you intend to emphasise the number. So for example we say "he wrote a book" when the writing or the book is the focus, but "he only wrote one book" when highlighting the number of books. Also compare "do you want a beer?" (yes or no, the number is not emphasised) vs "do you want one beer or two?" where two numbers are contrasted and a number is expected in reply.
In your example the number of releases is not the focus, so you should use a.
https://www.englishtrackers.com/english-blog/one-vs-a-singularly-confusing/
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
New contributor
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
New contributor
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
answered Mar 22 at 15:07
TreeTree
361
361
New contributor
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Tree is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I never know how to express this as well as you have done.
– Lambie
Mar 22 at 15:10
add a comment |
I never know how to express this as well as you have done.
– Lambie
Mar 22 at 15:10
I never know how to express this as well as you have done.
– Lambie
Mar 22 at 15:10
I never know how to express this as well as you have done.
– Lambie
Mar 22 at 15:10
add a comment |
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"So far, he has published two novels, two cookbooks and one selection of short stories" would be ok. But your text is not about numbers, it's about a type of book.
– Centaurus
Mar 20 at 14:51