[Grammar] Here is a/the summary of our discussion

kadioguy · Oct 18, 2020

In this context, should I use "a summary" or "the summary"? What effects exist between them?

kadioguy said:
Here is a summary of our discussion. Sentence (a), (b) and (c) can be all used. Am I right?

a. There is so much (stuff)/a lot (of stuff) that people love about their iPhones.

b. There are so many reasons that/why people love their iPhones.

c. iPhones have so many features that people love.

Charlie Bernstein · Oct 18, 2020

kadioguy said:
Here is a/the summary of our discussion.

In this context, should I use "a summary" or "the summary"? What effects exist between them?

You haven't explained the context:

- If I was expecting a summary, use the.

- If I wasn't, use a.

What do you mean by "effects"?

a. There is so much (stuff)/a lot (of stuff) that people love about their iPhones.

Examples:

- There is a lot of stuff people love about their iPhones.

- There is a lot people love about their iPhones.

- There are a lot of things people love about their iPhones.

- There is so much stuff people love about their iPhones.

- There is so much that people love about their iPhones.

- There is so much people love about their iPhones.

There are more possibilities.

b. There are so many reasons why people love their iPhones.

c. iPhones have so many features that people love.

That's fine.

Does that answer it?

kadioguy · Oct 18, 2020

Charlie Bernstein said:
You haven't explained the context

The context above is like this: Imagine that I have summed up what we've discussed and I would like to post it, so: Here is a/the summary of our discussion.

And I think that you have answered it:

- If members were expecting a summary, use the.

- If members weren't, use a.

Charlie Bernstein said:
What do you mean by "effects"?

The effects are like the blue parts above.

Charlie Bernstein said:
There are so many reasons why people love their iPhones.

It seems that some of our members don't accept "... reasons that ..." while some members do.

Charlie Bernstein · Oct 18, 2020

kadioguy said:
. . . It seems that some of our members don't accept "... reasons that ..." while some members do.

Then I'll take it. Thanks!

kadioguy · Oct 19, 2020

Piscean said:
I much prefer 'the reason that' to the tautologous 'the reason why'.

Do you think "the place where" is also tautologous?

For example, the place where we live is beautiful.

tedmc · Oct 19, 2020

kadioguy said:
In this context, should I use "a summary" or "the summary"? What effects exist between them?

I would use "a summary" since it is not something mentioned or anticipated before.

[Grammar] Here is a/the summary of our discussion

kadioguy

Key Member

Charlie Bernstein

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kadioguy

Key Member

Charlie Bernstein

VIP Member

kadioguy

Key Member

tedmc

VIP Member

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