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Could you tell if I have to use "a" or "the" before feel in the following sentences?

If you don't use the word correctly, don't be frustrated as you will develop a/the feel for when to use it.

I feel that both articles can be used there without any difference in meaning. If I am wrong, I would like to know why I can use one, but not the other.

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  • Both seem fine. "The" seems to be more specific on the type of feel. "A feel" seems more subjective and varied according to the person.
    – user57928
    Apr 18, 2020 at 16:37
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    I can't explain why, but the indefinite article feels more natural to me. "You will develop a feel for it."
    – Weather Vane
    Apr 18, 2020 at 17:52
  • Both versions are syntactically fine, but the indefinite article is far more common. Arguably if the speaker is familiar with "the feel" (and/or expects his audience to also be familiar with at least the concept of the particular aptitude being referenced), he might prefer the definite article. But really, that's just clutching at straws.
    – FumbleFingers
    Mar 11, 2021 at 15:13

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