Hi! I have a question on the use of articles.
"This medicine contains active ingredient B and (an/the) additional ingredient that will be verified to serve as a dispersant in a later chapter."
Which of an and the is correct? Thank you!

Question

Hi!  I have a question on the use of articles.
"This medicine contains active ingredient B and (an/the) additional ingredient that will be verified to serve as a dispersant in a later chapter."
Which of an and the is correct?  Thank you!

anonymous · Answer

...and AN additional ingredient...

anonymous · Answer

It is easiest if you just say both of them out loud to yourself and then you will probally figure out that it is "an"

anonymous · Answer

Thank you! The reason for this is probably that the "additional ingredient" is a definite one but the readers don't know about it yet.  Am I correct?  Thank you!