I have a dream?

Members help members on grammar, vocab, pronunciation...

Moderator: EC

Post Reply
mishaky
Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Dec 26, 2018 9:08 pm
Status: Learner of English

I have a dream?

Post by mishaky »

Hey.
I read a speech "I have a dream" by Martin Luther King Jr today.
https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speech ... adream.htm
Maybe someone can help me with question. Why does he use only the indefinite article throughout the text?(not I have the dream) And what does he mean when use only article "a"?
jonathanrace
Rising Star
Rising Star
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2018 11:23 am
Status: Teacher of English

Re: I have a dream?

Post by jonathanrace »

We would use 'the' when we want to imply that it is a dream that is already known.

Usually we could use 'a' the first time when mentioning a dream that we had and then use 'the' after this.

"Last night I had a dream. In the dream I was flying."

It's a bit different with this speech though. Using 'a' repeatedly can be used for emphasis.

I have a dream that this...
I have a dream that...
I can help you Learn English
justinhorn
Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2018 8:40 am
Status: Learner of English

Re: I have a dream?

Post by justinhorn »

Wow! This is very interesting. A great explanation, by the way. I wasn't even thinking in such a way. Thanks!
Post Reply