Use of "the" with "class"

Skabr · Aug 28, 2014

Hi,

Could you please tell me which one is correct and why? (The situation is: a student enters his class and sits down)

1. I sit down and see the other students "in the class."
or
2. I sit down and see the other students "in class."

I don't seem to understand if the "the" is necessary or not.

3. Also, is it correct to say like this: "In class, I thought about the issues."

Do we have to put the "[the]" before "class" in the above sentence?

"The" often confuses me in such sentences.

Thanks a lot,

Skabr

girlyswot · Aug 28, 2014

"In class" is talking about the generic experience of being in a class. "In the class" is talking about the specific experience of being in that class. All your sentences are grammatically correct but it will depend on the context which is more appropriate. In some contexts, either would be appropriate.

In case it's relevant, 'in class' is generally American English, rather the British English.

Skabr · Aug 28, 2014

Hi girlyswot,

Thanks so much for the reply!

So, what context do you need to know in order to judge which one of the two is correct?

1. I sit down and see the other students "in the class."
or
2. I sit down and see the other students "in class."

(The situation is: a student enters his class and sits down and that student has been studying in the same class for a while. The narrator is the student attending the class. )

Thanks once again,
Skabr

girlyswot said:
"In class" is talking about the generic experience of being in a class. "In the class" is talking about the specific experience of being in that class. All your sentences are grammatically correct but it will depend on the context which is more appropriate. In some contexts, either would be appropriate.

In case it's relevant, 'in class' is generally American English, rather the British English.

guttersquid · Aug 28, 2014

Skabr said:
1. I sit down and see the other students "in the class."

What this is really saying is: I sit down and see the other students in the classroom, so this is correct.

Skabr said:
2. I sit down and see the other students "in class.""The" often confuses me in such sentences.

What this says is: I sit down and see the other students meeting here for instruction, so this is also correct.

Skabr said:
3. Also, is it correct to say like this: "In class, I thought about the issues."

Do we have to put the "[the]" before "class" in the above sentence?

Either is correct.

"In class, I thought . . ." is like "While meeting for instruction at school, I thought . . ."
"In the class, I thought . . ." is like "In the classroom, I thought . . ."

You could make it easier on yourself is you simply wrote:

I sit down and see the other students in the room.

or

I sit down and look at the other students.

Skabr · Aug 28, 2014

Hi guttersquid,

Thanks a lot for the reply! I'm no longer confused.

You do have a very nice way of explaining!

Cheers,

Skabr

guttersquid · Aug 28, 2014

You're welcome. Glad I helped.

Maryn · Aug 28, 2014

Yeah, I add my admiration for a clear explanation. Nice!

Maryn, applauding

Skabr · Aug 29, 2014

Hi,

Thank you so much everyone!

I'm glad I'm part of so supportive a community like AW.

Roxxsmom · Sep 8, 2014

girlyswot said:
In case it's relevant, 'in class' is generally American English, rather the British English.

As opposed to British English, which always says "in hospital" or "at university" instead of "in the hospital," or "at the university" as we do in the US (but in the US, we say "in college," instead of "in the college."

Don't expect logic or consistency with English usage, as there really isn't any.

Use of "the" with "class"

Skabr

Inspire.Motivate. If nothing, drag!

girlyswot

Skabr

Inspire.Motivate. If nothing, drag!

guttersquid

I agree with Roxxsmom.

Skabr

Inspire.Motivate. If nothing, drag!

guttersquid

I agree with Roxxsmom.

Maryn

At Sea

Skabr

Inspire.Motivate. If nothing, drag!

Roxxsmom

Beastly Fido