An owl is a bird of prey vs The owl is a bird of prey

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "An owl is a bird of prey" is a general statement about owls as a species, while "The owl is a bird of prey" refers to a specific owl or a particular owl species. The choice between the two depends on whether you are talking about owls in general or a specific owl.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1094 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to make a general statement about owls as a species.

"An owl is a bird of prey"

This phrase is used to describe owls in general as birds of prey, highlighting a characteristic of the species.

Examples:

An owl is a bird of prey that hunts at night.
In the wild, an owl is a bird of prey that plays a crucial role in the ecosystem.

Show examples from the web [+]

It is a bird of prey that hunts on mice, and knows how to get what it wants.
A bird of prey in a gilded cage.
The Klingons have a Bird of Prey that can fire while cloaked.
The Klingons have a new weapon, a bird-of-prey that can fire when cloaked.
There's a Bird of Prey on the look-out for us that can fire when cloaked.
It is unworkable and unreasonable to try to make every movement of a bird of prey from one place to another subject to prior authorization.
- Can I call the mayor a bird of prey?
Mild-mannered city employee lured into a conveniently wooded area, struck down by a murderer with the speed and cunning of a bird of prey.
Mr Sulu, what is the crew complement of a Bird of Prey?
Liver was guess is a bird got at it.
This is a bird's-eye view of every car online in real time.
He had more than a passing interest in birds of prey.
Klingon Bird of Prey decloaking dead ahead.
Birds of prey taking all of our belongings...
He had more than a passing interest in birds of prey.
The bi-annual slaughter of exhausted migrating birds of prey continues unabated.
Sir, a Klingon "Bird of Prey" is de-cloaking off the port bow.
If one wants evidence, they simply need to look outside and see how big the Moon looks, hovering like a huge bird of prey.
During the course of my professional career, I've done extensive research with reptiles and various birds of prey, of which dinosaurs are.
Sir, a Klingon bird-of-prey is decloaking off the port bow.

Alternatives:

Owls are birds of prey
The owl species are birds of prey

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to a specific owl or a particular owl species as a bird of prey.

"The owl is a bird of prey"

This phrase is used when talking about a specific owl or a particular owl species as a bird of prey, emphasizing a specific individual or group.

Examples:

The owl in the tree is a bird of prey that hunts small mammals.
The owl species in this region is a bird of prey that feeds on rodents.

Show examples from the web [+]

It is a bird of prey that hunts on mice, and knows how to get what it wants.
A bird of prey in a gilded cage.
The Klingons have a Bird of Prey that can fire while cloaked.
The Klingons have a new weapon, a bird-of-prey that can fire when cloaked.
There's a Bird of Prey on the look-out for us that can fire when cloaked.
It is unworkable and unreasonable to try to make every movement of a bird of prey from one place to another subject to prior authorization.
- Can I call the mayor a bird of prey?
Mild-mannered city employee lured into a conveniently wooded area, struck down by a murderer with the speed and cunning of a bird of prey.
Mr Sulu, what is the crew complement of a Bird of Prey?
Liver was guess is a bird got at it.
And the owl is a solitary creature by nature, - so that's no friend.
The owl is also a predator, so it could be protecting him in order to destroy him.
This is a bird's-eye view of every car online in real time.
He had more than a passing interest in birds of prey.
Klingon Bird of Prey decloaking dead ahead.
Birds of prey taking all of our belongings...
He had more than a passing interest in birds of prey.
The bi-annual slaughter of exhausted migrating birds of prey continues unabated.
And, in most mythology, the owl is the goddess of betrayal.
Sir, a Klingon "Bird of Prey" is de-cloaking off the port bow.

Alternatives:

This owl is a bird of prey
That owl is a bird of prey

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An owl is a bird of prey vs The owl is a bird of prey