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Updated on
13 Jun 2018
- Japanese
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English (UK)
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English (US)
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Question about English (US)
How do you say this in English (US)? Could you please tell me the nuances between “One elephant is killed every 15 minutes” and “An elephant is killed every 15 minutes”?
How do you say this in English (US)? Could you please tell me the nuances between “One elephant is killed every 15 minutes” and “An elephant is killed every 15 minutes”?
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13 Jun 2018
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- English (US)
- English (UK)
There is no difference in meaning. Neither one is more formal or less formal. Both can be used in formal English or informal English. There is no difference.
"An elephant..." is said more commonly.
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- English (US)
"One elephant" and "an elephant" are exactly the same. They are interchangeable.
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- Japanese
@heynow
Isn’t there absolutely no difference? Some native speakers say they will say “an elephant”.
“One elephant” is more formal?
Isn’t there absolutely no difference? Some native speakers say they will say “an elephant”.
“One elephant” is more formal?
- English (US)
It depends on the message you are conveying to the person being spoken too. If I were a commercial speaking I would use ‘One elephant’ because it conveys a tone that has more emotion and it envokes more emotion from veiwers. If I were a writing a paper or talking to someone I would use ‘an elephant’ because it it more like your saying a statement of fact with no connection to you emotionally. If someone were to watch a documentary and hear about it, if it touched their heart then they might run and tell there friend (did you know one elephant....) because they are emotionally invested in that fact.
I hope that makes since?
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- English (US)
It is not it it* spellcheck on my phone I apologize.
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- English (US)
- English (UK)
There is no difference in meaning. Neither one is more formal or less formal. Both can be used in formal English or informal English. There is no difference.
"An elephant..." is said more commonly.
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- Japanese
- Japanese
- English (US)
- English (UK)
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