in my experience, people use both, but in different contexts.
“in the mirror” tends to more often refer to a metaphorical “mirror”, typically when discussing self-reflection
- "I took a look in the mirror and decided to change my ways."
“in a mirror” tends to refer most often to actual mirrors that exist
- "I looked into a mirror to fix my eyeliner."
kabe@lemmy.world 4 months ago
English teacher here. Articles in English can be really confusing but essentially we use the definite article in this situation because:
ALERT@sh.itjust.works 4 months ago
Ukrainian here. IMO, the first statement is half-stupid, the second one is half-overcomplicated :) no offense to you personally, of course. I understand the whole concept of articles in English and know (at least I thought I knew before this post) their correct usage, and in all use cases I can remember the article uses are logically acceptable for a foreigner, but this one with the mirror and the bathroom is messed up a bit :)
kabe@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Welcome to English, my friend. No one ever clained that it wasn’t a pain in the arse to learn :)
jaybone@lemmy.world 4 months ago
The second example is quite good imo. You would never say “I’m going to a bathroom.” Even if you were in a stadium with hundreds of bathrooms, you would still say you are going to the bathroom.
Same as you might say I’m taking the train. Not usually taking a train, though I’ve heard that too sometimes. Though oddly you usually say I’m taking a plane, not the plane. Also I’m taking the freeway, not a freeway. I’m usually going to the doctor, less often than a doctor.
grrgyle@slrpnk.net 4 months ago
Tell me you haven’t read Jonathan Strange without telling me you haven’t read Jonathan Strange 😏 obviously it’s because all mirrors are connected - as entrances to the King’s Way of old.