TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

a doctor vs the doctor

Both 'a doctor' and 'the doctor' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A doctor' is used when referring to any doctor in a general sense, while 'the doctor' is used when referring to a specific doctor that has been previously mentioned or is known to both the speaker and the listener.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1284 views

a doctor

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to any doctor in a general sense.

Use 'a doctor' when talking about doctors in general or when the specific identity of the doctor is not important.

Examples:

I need to see a doctor about my cough.
She wants to become a doctor when she grows up.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dad using a doctor to avoid sentencing.
We have a doctor named shepherd.
I'm a doctor at Princeton Plainsboro.
Dad using a doctor to avoid sentencing.
The Court thinks you need a doctor.
I totally forgot about being a doctor.
You said purvis was a doctor.
Except you stabbed a doctor today.
Looks like some needs a doctor.
Miss Channing, you need a doctor.
Visit a doctor to have an opinion.
Indicate whether professional assistance by a doctor is needed or advisable.
You need a doctor, Ben.
So eggs describes a list of symptoms and you repeat them to a doctor.
Let me summon a doctor for you.
There's a doctor in Albany.
Just what you need, a doctor.
He's still a doctor, anthony.
Leave it to me, I'm a doctor.
No, really, I'm a doctor.

Alternatives:

a physician
a medical practitioner
a healthcare professional
a specialist
a surgeon

the doctor

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a specific doctor that has been previously mentioned or is known to both the speaker and the listener.

Use 'the doctor' when referring to a specific doctor that has been previously mentioned or is known to both the speaker and the listener.

Examples:

I need to see the doctor we met at the hospital.
The doctor will be arriving shortly.

Show examples from the web [+]

Let the doctor look after the disease.
Nobody move until the doctor says so.
Your husband should have discussed that matterwith the doctor.
He was just the doctor of a local clinic.
I need you to run the doctor again.
I finally went to the doctor, it was too late.
That's what the doctor said.
Forget what the doctor said, Father.
Not exactly what the doctor recommended for bruised ribs.
Reverend Mother has sent for the doctor.
He's making the doctor eat himself.
Well, I checked the doctor out.
And the doctor... he told me Jin was infertile.
I don't think the doctor meant my mouth.
Even the doctor didn -t know.
Anyone who knew the doctor, had access to his dream shrooms.
Yes, it's just what the doctor ordered.
Maybe George will bring the doctor.
Fine. Do the doctor thing.
Even the doctor said the sun would help with his bronchitis.

Alternatives:

the physician
the medical practitioner
the healthcare professional
the specialist
the surgeon

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!