Fatima
Hi there! Generally speaking , which one is correct? I like rain. Do you like rain? I like the rain. Do you like the rain? I found some comments on Google that if we are talking generally about it we say rain and if we are talking about rain as it is pouring down right now we say the rain. Is it true? What do you think? I'd appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on that.
Jan 21, 2021 3:38 PM
Answers · 2
Thank you Terry! so useful explanations. The thing is I'm going to show my students a picture of a rainy day , so they can see it , but I'm gonna ask what they think of rain in general. Is it ok if I ask Do you like rain? right? If I ask do you like the rain? then I'll be asking about that specific picture of a rainy day. right?
January 21, 2021
Hi Fatima! I think that the comments that you made pertaining to your research on Google are accurate for the most part. If it's an inquiry about rain in general, "I like rain, do you like rain?" When you think about rain as a concept, something that happens, "do you like rain?" When you use a definite article "the rain" as in "I like the rain, do you like the rain?" It refers to the rain that is occurring in the here-and-now or the rain that you can see now. It reminds me of another example that might occur in a restaurant. "Do you like wine?" "Do you like the wine?" So, do you like "wine" in general as a drink?" "Do you like "the wine" that was served and that you are drinking now?"
January 21, 2021
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!