Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
infinite; boundless
evasive
unlimited
corporate
previous
Free TOEIC test: Free word games online: Adjectives Nouns Verbs Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

first prize v.s. the first prize



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
help for a cover letter | Two words required for certain actions.
Listening exercises
Message
Author
first prize v.s. the first prize #1 (permalink) Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:39 am   first prize v.s. the first prize
 

Hi,

I thought that "win the first prize" is right until today while doing some English exercise I came upon this one "win first prize".

So, what would you choose?
Quote:
1. I won the first prize
2. I won first prize


If both are acceptible, could you explain the difference?

Thanks !
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

first prize v.s. the first prize #2 (permalink) Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:16 pm   first prize v.s. the first prize
 

.
I would choose 'I won First Prize'-- it is usually the name of the prize.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's
Mister Micawber
Language Coach
Mr. Micawber

Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 7435
Location: Yokohama, Japan

English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!This newsletter tells you all about English! Subscribe to free email English courseWhat do you know about the progressive forms?
first prize v.s. the first prize #3 (permalink) Wed Dec 12, 2007 16:58 pm   first prize v.s. the first prize
 

I see. Thanks alot !
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

first prize v.s. the first prize #4 (permalink) Wed Dec 12, 2007 17:57 pm   first prize v.s. the first prize
 

.
Adding the word 'the' tends to suggest 'the first' in the sense that it was the first in a series of prizes that were awarded (i.e. the opposite of the final prize) and that would not necessarily be a prize for being better than all the rest.
.
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Display posts from previous:   
help for a cover letter | Two words required for certain actions.
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms first prize v.s. the first prize All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
What score? (bare vs raw vs primitive vs crude)Present perfect vs. Present Pefect ProgressiveHe is anything but retired.Can we use the word "pregnant" for animals?Expression: "My tongue caught my teeth."English word for "aahat"A verb required for a situation.What means: "just bare with me" at the telephone?usage of "guilt trip"Bare Infinitiveways of saying "a computer froze up"Could you please explain this passage for me...past tense and present perfectExpression: "In my continuation of the story..."as much a sign ... asScottish: 'Mr Jones? Fit? Aye, aye... Noo, I ken he wis askin' fer a pucklie...phrase "What goes around comes around"A few lines about a shepherd.first prize v.s. the first prize

Discover English-test.net
Meaning of "Bite his hand off""to roam" instead of "to stalk"Meaning of 'but not limited to'How do you pronounce 'accent'?Sentence: Five pounds of fish ... ok.TOEIC vocab test: Increase Vocabulary: English Nouns VerbsTOEIC vocabulary test: Word find games: Free Online Noun Verb GameDefine emphasis, table, sound, audit, justifyVocabulary study: Noun verb teacher activitiesFree ESL Quiz Online: How to ask the wayEnglish conversation: The Global Financial Environment (2)

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail