[Grammar] Do not heat the bottle in a microwave oven.

[kadioguy]

On a bottle tag, it reads:

Do not heat the bottle in a microwave oven.
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a. Do not heat the bottle in a microwave oven.

b. Do not heat the bottle in the microwave oven.

In this context, which is correct? Maybe:

Sentence (a) is used when it is sold on its own - this is the case, I did buy the bottle on its own. Sentence (b) is used in situations like: when the bottle comes with a microwave oven.

What do you think?

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(The source)

 

[jutfrank]

What do you mean? How can a bottle come with a microwave oven?

 

[kadioguy]

What do you mean? How can a bottle come with a microwave oven?

I mean, for example, the bottle is a free gift for buying a microwave.
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a. Do not heat the bottle in a microwave oven.

b. Do not heat the bottle in the microwave oven.

'A microwave oven' means any microwave oven, while 'the microwave oven' means a specific microwave oven. In this case the indefinite article 'a' is appropriate.

Is that right?

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, that's right.

 

[Yankee]

Each is correct in the contexts you stated.

 

[kadioguy]

Each is correct in the contexts you stated.

b. Do not heat the bottle in the microwave oven.
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1. Do you mean that (b) is also correct? Are you suggesting what the definite article 'the' refers to is understood? (the microwave oven in your home, office, etc.)

2. Why did you use 'the contexts'? Did I say two or more different contexts?

(Updated)

I did say two contexts in post #1.

(1) It is sold on its own.
(2) When the bottle comes with a microwave oven.

 

[Tarheel]

Instructions

1. Keep (the bottle) out of children.
2. Keep the cap tightly closed when the bottle is full.
3. Do not heat the bottle in a microwave oven.

1. Isn't the bottle too big to get into a child?
2. Don't they come that way?
3. Don't put one into a microwave in the first place.

Kadioguy, where do you find these things?

 

[kadioguy]

Kadioguy, where do you find these things?

The tag is on the bottle. That is my bottle.

 

[kadioguy]

b. Do not heat the bottle in the microwave oven.
----
1. Do you mean that (b) is also correct? Are you suggesting what the definite article 'the' refers to is understood? (the microwave oven in your home, office, etc.)

2. Why did you use 'the contexts'? Did I say two or more different contexts?

(Updated)

I did say two contexts in post #1.

(1) It is sold on its own.
(2) When the bottle comes with a microwave oven.

Could someone help me with these? Are they right?

 

[Rover_KE]

You can use either 'a' or 'the'.

'In a microwave oven' means any microwave oven; 'in the microwave oven' means the one in your kitchen.

 

[Skrej]

It appears to be a metal bottle, so you probably shouldn't be putting it in any microwave*, regardless of whether it came with the microwave or not.


*Yes, I'm aware you can technically put metal in microwaves under certain circumstances, but I'd still rather avoid it.

 

[Tdol]

I mean, for example, the bottle is a free gift for buying a microwave.
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a. Do not heat the bottle in a microwave oven.

b. Do not heat the bottle in the microwave oven.

'A microwave oven' means any microwave oven, while 'the microwave oven' means a specific microwave oven. In this case the indefinite article 'a' is appropriate.

Is that right?

If you're giving out a metal bottle, it's good advice for any microwave oven.