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



 
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Phrase: "Catch up with the watchrooms." | Phrase: "The early mornings"
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"Went to war" vs "Went to a war" #1 (permalink) Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:47 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
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"Went to war" vs "Went to a war" #2 (permalink) Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:51 am   "Went to war" vs "Went to a war"		  
Both sound fine to me, Tom.
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"Went to war" vs "Went to a war" #3 (permalink) Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:54 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" #4 (permalink) Thu Sep 06, 2007 14:41 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
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