[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me which type of article is needed in the following sentence and why? Could both the definite and the indifinite articles are possible ?

Many families keep pet animals like dogs. As is pointed out by some scientists, A / THE dog needs a regular balanced diet, not just meat.

Thank you for your help.
Hela

[susan53]

It shoulod bve "a dog". If you look here , you'll see that the reasons for this have already been discussed.

[hela]

Hello Susan,

I had already read the thread you mentioned before sending my question but in my sentence can't we consider that "dog" can also be used as a generic term?
As you mentioned in the other thread isn't possible to say here "the species dog needs a regular balanced diet"?

Sorry but I still don't see why only the indefinite article should be used here.

Best regards

[susan53]

But families don't keep whole species - they keep one (or a limited number) of them. The meaning must be seen in context : Many families keep pet animals like dogs. A dog (ie any dog you keep) needs a ....

[hela]

Ok, thanks