Quote from strixflash
Please explain the difference "the" creates in the following examples:
1.
I am going to college.
I am going to the college.
2.
My Uncle is in hospital.
My Uncle is in the hospital.
My teacher said the meaning completly changes in both examples if we remove or add "the"... Like in ...
Okay in the first example. "The" does make a difference.
"I am going to college" is the same as saying "I'm attending a college." That you are still learning in a school.
When you say "I'm going to the college", it like saying you are heading over to a certain college that instant. It would be like telling someone "I'm going to the mall" right before you leave.
Now with example two ....
I don't think anyone would say "my uncle is in hospital" ... It doesn't sound right to me, and I don't get how that implies being a patient or not ...
(saying "my uncle is in a hospital" would imply being a patient, and sounds better.)
You would use the in both cases for being a patient or working there ....
Think of it this way. If you're a doctor, and talking to a friend on the phone you would say "I'm at the hospital" your friend knows you work there, and it's you telling him where you're at.
If I was going into labor, and called my husband I would say " I'm at the hospital" again saying where I am.
I could be wrong with this example, but I hope I explained the first example well enough.
Edit -
School is a better example than hospital. Saying "I'm at school" would imply being a student. In this case not using the implies attending.
Saying " I'm at the school" implies visiting, or working there.
I hope I didn't confuse you more.
Last edited by kitty1826x at 5:35 am, Aug 23 2014________________
Yes yes, I know I make longwinded comments, but that's just me >.<
I should proof read my comments more, but I won't...
So keep in mind I'm filled with typos
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