- I have consulted the secretary and the treasurer. [“The secretary and treasurer” would imply that the same person held both offices.]
- I found an anchor and a chain. [“An anchor and chain” would suggest that the chain was attached to the anchor.]
- In some towns there are separate schools for the boys and the girls; in others the boys and girls attend the same schools.
- He waved a red and white flag.
- He waved a red and a white flag.
179. A is often used distributively, in the sense of each.
- I paid five dollars a pair for my shoes.
- The letter-carrier calls twice a day.
- My class meets three times a week.
In such phrases a is better than per, except in strictly commercial language.
180. When used with adjectives, the articles precede, except in a few phrases: as,—
- Such an uproar was never heard.
- Many a man has tried in vain.
For the adverb the, which is quite distinct from the article in use and meaning, see [§ 195].
For the preposition a (as in “He went a-fishing”), see [§ 352].
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
181. In comparing objects with each other, we may use three different forms of the same adjective.