Search from various Engels teachers...
Константин
"Just a moment please" the shop-assistant said. "That's all right"
the customer answered.
Please tell me if i can use the indefinite article before the nouns instead of the definite article.
Пожалуйста, скажите, если я использую перед продавцом и покупателем неопределенный артикль, как меня поймут.
4 sep. 2023 14:44
Antwoorden · 7
1
For 'Just a moment' the indefinite article is correct to use in this case. For polite requests like this we use the indefinite:
'Give me a chance.'
'I need a moment/minute/second to catch my breath.'
To use 'the moment/minute/second' is more likely to be used when recalling something from the past or something of great significance in the future:
'I still remember the moment I met you.'
'The second I walked in to the room, I was terrified.'
'You have to call and tell me the second you find out what happened.'
Using the definite article when referring to a moment/minute/second is usually done when it has great significance; in the case of a canned expression like 'Just a moment' it's not an important, significance moment so we then use it with the indefinite article.
4 september 2023
Heb je je antwoorden nog steeds niet gevonden?
Schrijf je vragen op en laat de moedertaalsprekers je helpen!
Константин
Taalvaardigheden
Engels, Russisch, Oekraïens
Taal die wordt geleerd
Engels
Artikelen die je misschien ook leuk vindt

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
10 likes · 7 Opmerkingen

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
12 likes · 9 Opmerkingen

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
9 likes · 2 Opmerkingen
Meer artikelen