Question
Updated on
19 Jan 2022
- Japanese
-
English (US)
-
English (UK)
Question about English (US)
Why the article "an" is needed in the following sentence?
"The crops are an acceptable means for providing food to an ever increasing world population. "
Why the article "an" is needed in the following sentence?
"The crops are an acceptable means for providing food to an ever increasing world population. "
"The crops are an acceptable means for providing food to an ever increasing world population. "
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
19 Jan 2022
Featured answer
- English (US)
It's probably best to just remember that an article is commonly used for "means".
"A means" "The means"
There might be cases where it sounds okay to include an article or to leave out an article, but you will never be wrong by including an article before the word.
The exception is examples like:
I don't like his means of beating the competition.
But when a "to be" verb (are, is, was, etc.) is being used, you should include an article unless the sentence is negative.
Ex.) There is no means of escape.
Was this answer helpful?
Obviously wrong
Explanation is not enough
Written in a language I can't understand
Answer is not related to the question
Other reason
Read more comments
- English (US)
The first one is correct.
"means" needs "an" in front of it.
Ex.) I have a means to win the race.
But since the adjective "acceptable" is in front of "means", you need to used "an" instead of "a" because "acceptable" starts with a vowel.
Was this answer helpful?
- Japanese
@Saiazu thank you for your answer!
Can I ask one more question?
The word “crops” is plural, so I don’t understand why “an acceptable means” is the singular.
Can I ask one more question?
The word “crops” is plural, so I don’t understand why “an acceptable means” is the singular.
- English (US)
It's probably best to just remember that an article is commonly used for "means".
"A means" "The means"
There might be cases where it sounds okay to include an article or to leave out an article, but you will never be wrong by including an article before the word.
The exception is examples like:
I don't like his means of beating the competition.
But when a "to be" verb (are, is, was, etc.) is being used, you should include an article unless the sentence is negative.
Ex.) There is no means of escape.
Was this answer helpful?
- English (US)
@adabana the article is used to describe "means", not "crops".
Also, "means" can be singular or plural.
I have a means to win the race.
I have various means to win the race.
You don't use "an" in the second example because it is plural.
In the sentence, the word "crops" is plural, but it is a single means.
For example,
I have means of making you speak.
This is okay if you have more that one means.
Was this answer helpful?
- English (US)
@adabana
If there sentence were:
"Crops and importing are acceptable means for providing food to an ever increasing world population."
You don't need "an" in this case because "means" is plural in this sentence. (There are two means: crops and importing)
But in the original sentence "crops" is only one means, so "means" is singular.
Was this answer helpful?
- Japanese
@Saiazu
Thank you so much for your detailed explanations!
I finally got it:)
I'll remember that an article is commonly used for "means".
Very helpful. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for your detailed explanations!
I finally got it:)
I'll remember that an article is commonly used for "means".
Very helpful. Thank you!!
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Similar questions
- According to the article below, Mexico hasn't signed on to the guidelines? Does "A has yet to do...
- Could you please explain why there's no article needed before "department manager" in the followi...
- Here I can write an article about a specific question ?
Recommended Questions
- how can I discribe black people hair, can I say curly, the books don't teach us..
- Which sounds more natural, "Go two blocks" or "Go for two blocks," when giving directions?
- I loooooooooooove aussie accent.... I loooooooooooove Australia so much. I'd like to go back th...
- Do these have the same meaning? When do you usually say these? That's just how things work here. ...
- What does UP mean here ? Is this an abbreviation of something? "Greyhound are seeking experie...
Topic Questions
- had Phil had a sister? Why use “had” start? Can I use Did instead? What will different?
- Do you understand this sentence? I remembered that I had forgotten to sing the national anthem i...
- Mona ............, punished,cried ...
- "the majority of people don't/doesn't know..." which is correct?
- When someone asks you How are you?/How are you doing? Would it sound correct and natural to answe...
Newest Questions
- A: We should go see a movie together. B: Good idea. Is this a good conversation?
- People were mad/angry/upset. How are they different? Perhaps “mad” is too strong a word?
- Are the following sentences the same? 1, Earlier I was saying tomorrow is a pretty big day. 2, A...
- "She thought she was better off skipping church because she knew anyone there. She didn't want to...
- In the following sentences, does "any" means "even a bit"?⬇️ Is this time really going any differ...
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
