articles a vs. the

[senci]

This may be posted somewhere else in the forum, I could not find. I would just like to ask a question:
What's the difference between:
She is swimming in a pool.
She is swimming in the pool.
Let's assume that there is an actual picture that I am looking at, which of the two would I use.

Thank you in advance

 

[Hau Ruck]

"A" is used for a general pool. Could be any pool. Not specific.

"The" is used for a specific pool.

 

[senci]

Since I have to translate this to my students, I wanted to make sure I get the difference right. That's what I thought, but still it is good to have a native confirmation. Thank you

 

[Hau Ruck]

You are welcome.

There are also many, many threads you will find at the bottom of this link:

http://www.wordreference.com/definition/a vs. the