Use of word Fire: If there is fire/(a fire), ring this bell

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Dear teachers,

I write (a) or (b) or both are correct?

a. If there is a fire, ring this bell.
b. If there is fire, ring this bell.

If both are correct, what is the diference btw them?

Quoc

2

IMHO, fire is the flames, light and heat that are produced when smth burns and flames that destroy houses and so on :a fire burning of wood and etc for cooking or heating.

3

Hi Pamela,

Thanks a lot but please answer on my concret question.

Thanks
Quoc

4

In your sentence I’d use fire because ring the bell assumes an alarm.

5

.
I think it’s sometimes a question of “typical” collocation, Quoc:

  • If there is a fire, ring this bell. (This is what someone might actually say to you.)

  • In case of fire, ring bell. (This is something you might see on a sign next to some sort of fire alarm bell)

There is a fire in the kitchen/livingroom/bedroom/stairwell.
There was a fire on Main Street yesterday.
There was a fire in the field, so we called the fire department.
We lit a fire.
This material withstands fire better than that material.
The house is on fire.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
The boss is under fire because sales have fallen 50% (figurative)

Using an article with the noun fire usually refers to a particular thing/area that is or was burning. Without an article, it’s either a more general concept or idiomatic.

Amy

6

Dear teacher,

If I write:

If there is fire, ring this bell. (a)

(a) is correct in grammar and have the meaning?

Quoc

7

Quoc, I think I’ve already explained things in quite a bit of detail.

Now, it’s your turn to put on your thinkng cap:

  • What does “fire” mean in your sentence?
  • Does it refer to something burning in a specific place/area or does it refer to a general concept?
  • What kind of a bell are you referring to? Is it a specific bell in a specific place for a specific use?

Do you still think that “If there is a fire…” might be the same as “If there is fire…”?

8

Dear teacher,

“Fire” in: If there is fire (1) is as in:

Have you insured your house against fire?
“Fire” in (1) refers to a general concept.

“Fire” in: If there is a fire (1) is as in:

It was a fire in the warehouse.

You wrote:

  • What kind of a bell are you referring to? Is it a specific bell in a specific place for a specific use?

Why did you mention the bell? “The bell” is unrelated here.

So I think:

If there is fire, ring the bell is correct.

How about your opinion?

Quoc

9

Hi Quoc

If there is a specific bell designed specifically for use when something in/near the bell’s location is burning, then I’d say “There is a fire”. Basically I’d look at that as a specific event.

Amy

10

Dear teacher,

Please read:

The man will take my place if I am absent.

has the same meaning with:

The man will take my place in case of my absence.

So,

How do you change the sentence:

In case of fire, ring the bell. (1)

by using “If there is…”

In this case, you say:

If there is a fire or if there is fire…?

If you say “if there is a fire” (2)is correct, how do you explain the difference btw “fire” in (1) and “a fire” in (2)?

Quoc

11

Can I deviate a bit from the topic, please? :frowning:

I think same is the case with [color=red]noise!

1- There was a strange noise in the room.(some particular situation)
2- I hate noise. (general)

Tom