i'm confused?

Question

why is the article "a or an" used as plural? for example I am here, in my space `cause I do need to send a message to my mother & my boyfriend. does this mean messages right?

ill change it to this sentence. i use yahoo cuz i need to send a message to my friends.
this doesnt mean i only send one message to them ,
more than one then why do you use a??

Answer 1

When you say you are sending a message to your bf and mother, you are really saying something like: "I am sending a message to my bf, and i am sending a message to my mother."

In English, when we use a sentence like this, we simplify it (by a process called equivalent phrase deletion), and so we say we are sending a message to my bf and mother, and everyone understands that we mean we are sending 2 messages; one to the bf, and one to mother.

So we are sending one message to each, and the "a" is the correct article here. The same is true for the sentence "I am sending a message to my friends." This means we are sending a single message to a group.

Pandak and Fiveamrunner are both correct about plurality. You are speaking of the message or messages, not of the number of recipients.

Good Question!

Answer 2

You are sending one (singular) message to each, so the use of "a" is correct. If you were sending two messages to each, you would simply drop the article "a" and say "I am sending two messages..." "A" or "An" are never correct with a plural noun.

Answer 3

I think it is because if you were to say something like 'I need to send a message to my mother and another one to my boyfriend' it would include the two singulars in one sentence.
I think what happens is that you are excluding a part of the sentence to make the grammar easier but the singular still applies to both parties.

Answer 4

'a' and 'an' dont make a difference to things being plural or single.
'An' is used before words that start with a vowel (AEIOU)
an Apple
an Elephant
an Ice cube
an October party
an Uncle
'A' is used before words that start with a consenant (BCDFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXZ)
A bucket
A cat


if you are sending one message:i am sending a message to my friend
if you are sending more than one message: i am sending messages to my friends
if you are sending the same message to more than one friend: I am sending a message to my friends

Answer 5

when u say I'm sending "a" message to my friends.
It means u r sending 1 message (the same message that is) to your friends. Let say u have 5 friends u will be sending the same 1 message to all.
when u say I'm sending messages to my friends.
It means each friend will get a different message

Answer 6

if you are sending A message then it is being used singularly it would be plural usage if you are talking about a collective like a group of friends is that what you mean your question is difficult to answer because it is not clear waht you are trying to ask.

Answer 7

If you're sending one message, then send "a message" to your friends. If you're sending more than one message, then send "messages to" your friends. The word "message" is related to the sending, not to your friends. You send one (a) message, or send many messages. Doesn't matter to whom.

Answer 8

"an" is used only if the next word starts with a vowel or with the pronounciation of a vowel.
For example "an apple"
"a" is used if the following word doesn't start with a vowel.
Example: A bird.

Answer 9

Mo ikkai shitsumon o negai dekimasu ka? Yoku shitsumon ga wakarimasen kara...

Answer 10

I'm sorry, your question does not make sense.