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the vs. a / an

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First mention · a / an

I saw a dog. · Any previously unidentified dog

Known or specific · the

The dog followed me. · Now both people know which dog

Use a or an when the listener does not yet know which one. Use the when both speaker and listener can identify it.

General vs. específico

Slide 21

Tips

the vs. a / an

  1. A o an introduce uno entre muchos; the señala cuál. Se parece a un/una frente a el/la, pero la situación decide, no una traducción automática.
  2. Primera mención: “I saw a dog.” Mención posterior: “The dog followed me.”