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Hello,1. All  the students are awarded.2. All students are awarded.3. All of the students are awarded.4. All of students are awarded.I  want to know the usage of the "the: with "all" as in (1) and (2).Are there any differences between (1) and (2)?Does "all the students" = "all students"?In of-construction, such as (3) and (4), "the" is obligatory or not?Does "all of the students" = "all students"?The same case is also applicable  with "both" ?1. Both the boys = both boysCould any one here explain these?Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

hanuman_2000I want to know the usage of the "the: with "all" as in (1) and (2).

Your sentences sound odd with 'award' used intransitively, but 'the' refers to some particular group of students: that is the difference.

hanuman_2000In of-construction, such as (3) and (4), "the" is obligatory or not?

Yes; #4 is not possible.

hanuman_2000The same case is also applicable with "both" ?

Yes.

GPY · Answer

hanuman_20001. All the students are awarded.2. All students are awarded.3. All of the students are awarded.4. All of students are awarded.

None of these are complete sentences (well, only in a strained or unusual way).

"all of the students" and "all the students" are interchangeable. These refer to all the students within a particular context (for example, all the students at some university that has been mentioned).

"all students" can refer to all students within a particular context, but it can also refer to all students generally (without any specific context). For example, you could use it to make generalised statements such as "all students are lazy".

"all of students" is not correct.

hanuman_2000Both the boys = both boys

"both boys" and "both the boys" are interchangeable when talking about two specific boys, which I'm guessing is what you have in mind. (In other contexts, such as such as "both boys and girls will benefit", they are not).

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