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Hi,I'm mulling over the difference between the following sentences:1. Give me money  (I think the meaning is "give me some money")2. Give me the money (I think the meaning is "give me all the money you've got in the cash register")Do you see the difference as I outlined it in brackets ?Thanks !

Ferdis · Accepted Answer

Yes. 'money' means just money in general, regardless what money. 'the money' refers to a specific, known "instance of money".

MrPernickety · Answer

I would like to know opinions of native speakers.

Could you help me out, guys?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I agree with Ferdis.

Clive

MrPernickety · Answer

CliveHi,

I agree with Ferdis.

Clive

Thanks, Clive !

One more question:

For example, if an armed robbery is in progress and the robber yells at the store clerk : Give me the money ! (The robber doesn't know the clerk from adam, of course, and neither does the clerk, and hence he cannot know what money the robber has in mind). In this case, would the clerk assume that the robber is talking about all the money in clerk's possession (in the register for example)?

In that very same case, if the robber demands "give me money", can the clerk conclude that the robber wants some money (no all) ?

Generally, in a robbery setting, would there be any difference ?

Thanks again !

Clive · Answer

Hi,

One more question:

For example, if an armed robbery is in progress and the robber yells at the store clerk : Give me the money ! (The robber doesn't know the clerk from adam, of course, and neither does the clerk, and hence he cannot know what money the robber has in mind). In this case, would the clerk assume that the robber is talking about all the money in clerk's possession (in the register for example)? Sure.

In that very same case, if the robber demands "give me money", can the clerk conclude that the robber wants some money (no all) ? If you were the clerk, would you pick up a wad of money, remove a few bills, and offer only those to the guy with the gun?

Generally, in a robbery setting, would there be any difference ? No. You see a guy in front of you with a gun. You give him the money that you have. Simple.

You don't start thinking about his grammar when he has a gun in your face. You don't ask him, 'Do you mean some of the money or all of it?' Most armed robbers of stores don't have good grammar, anyway. Unless they spend a lot of time reading this English Forum.

Best wishes, Clive

MrPernickety · Answer

Clive If you were the clerk, would you pick up a wad of money, remove a few bills, and offer only those to the guy with the gun?

At the risk of coming off as a coward, I guess I would say take everything only spare my life

Thanks !

CalifJim · Answer

MrPernicketyI'm mulling over the difference between the following sentences:

1. Give me money (I think the meaning is "give me some money")

2. Give me the money (I think the meaning is "give me all the money you've got in the cash register")

Do you see the difference as I outlined it in brackets ?

I don't even accept the first one as idiomatic! Give me some money is idiomatic to my ear, however.
For some reason, I want to hear some or the in that position:

Give me ____ [uncountable, concrete noun]. [ butter, meat, wine, money, ... ]

CJ

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