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"Went to war" vs "Went to a war"



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Phrase: "Catch up with the watchrooms." | Phrase: "The early mornings"
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"Went to war" vs "Went to a war" Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:47 am  "Went to war" vs "Went to a war"
 

Hi

Which one sounds OK to you? Her husband was a soldier

Quote:
1- Her husband went to war and was killed.
2- Her husband went to a war and was killed.

Tom
Tom
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Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 1976

"Went to war" vs "Went to a war" Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:51 am  "Went to war" vs "Went to a war"
 

Both sound fine to me, Tom.
Conchita
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"Went to war" vs "Went to a war" Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:54 am  "Went to war" vs "Went to a war"
 

Hi Tom,

Both technically are all right but there is a difference. 'Went to war' means as a soldier he engaged in military combat. 'Went to a war' means he left home and entered a war - a particular war, which would have to be mentioned. Probably the one you want is 'went to war' in the sense I have indicated - he engaged in military combat.

Alan
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"Went to war" vs "Went to a war" Thu Sep 06, 2007 15:41 pm  "Went to war" vs "Went to a war"
 

Alan wrote:
'Went to war' means as a soldier he engaged in military combat. 'Went to a war' means he left home and entered a war - a particular war, which would have to be mentioned
Alan

Many thanks, Alan and Conchita

...so Alan, could you please give an example of the red part?

Tom
Tom
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Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 1976

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Phrase: "Catch up with the watchrooms." | Phrase: "The early mornings"
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