Elena Bogomolovaadded a comment 7 years ago
Александр, кажется, перед исчисляемым существительным в единственном числе, когда оно обозначает представителя класса, употребляется неопределенный артикль...
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Валерия Умрихинаasked for translation 7 years ago
How to translate? (ru-en)
Собака - домашнее животное
User translations (3)
- 1.
Dogs are domesticated animals.
translation added by ⁌ ULY ⁍Gold ru-en5 - 2.
A dog is a (house) pet.
translation added by ⁌ ULY ⁍Gold ru-en5 - 3.
The dog is a domestic animal
translation added by Alexander АkimovGold ru-en4
Discussion (11)
Alexander Аkimovadded a comment 7 years ago
Не-е, наоборот:
The giraffe is the tallest of all animals.
The bicycle is an excellent means of transport.
The dollar is the currency of the United States.
Can you play the guitar?
English Grammar in Use, Raymond Murphy.
Вот 🧐
Elena Bogomolovaadded a comment 7 years ago
А я по Ngram проверила:
Почему-то так... надо еще почитать
Elena Bogomolovaadded a comment 7 years ago
Вот здесь написано, что indefinite article is used before a noun representing a whole class:
Правда, не знаю, что это за сайт...
⁌ ULY ⁍added a comment 7 years ago
+++Alex
⁌ ULY ⁍added a comment 7 years ago
The best way to refer to a class is with the plural.
Elena Bogomolovaadded a comment 7 years ago
So, which article should be used when using a singular noun in this case? Alex used an indefinite article and you used the definite one ...
⁌ ULY ⁍added a comment 7 years ago
When talking about animals, you can use either one.
Elena Bogomolovaadded a comment 7 years ago
Ах, вот оно что 😁
Alexander Аkimovadded a comment 7 years ago
Perhaps, there’s a difference between Br and AmE? 🤔
⁌ ULY ⁍added a comment 7 years ago
No Alex, not in this respect.