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Hello,I have noticed that very often the word 'of' is preceeded by the article 'the' (for example the roof of the house)I would like to know whether it is always the case.In the following sentences is 'the' ok?1. The book describes the problems of prisoners.It's the first sentence of my essay; I haven't mentioned anything about these problems and these prisoners yet.The same situation:2. The book describes the problems of the prisoniers of a concentration camp.Can we say that ever time there is the word 'of' we can use 'the', even though we have mentioned something the first time, or the person we are talking to doesn't know what we are speaking about?Thank you for your help!Annie

Optilang · Accepted Answer

4 possibilities

The book describes problems of prisoners of a concentration camp

The book describes the problems of prisoners of a concentration camp

The book describes problems of the prisoners of a concentration camp

The book describes the problems of the prisoners of a concentration camp

The problems - suggests all of the problems

Problems (no 'the) - suggests some problems highlighted but perhaps not a comprehensive list

The prisoners suggests all of them

Prisoners suggests some of them.

.........of the prisoners of - sounds a little clumsy.

A couple of suggestions for your consideration:

The book describes/explores the problems of concentration camp prisoners.

The book describes/explores the problems faced by concentration camp prisoners.

The book describes/explores the problems faced by the prisoners of a concentration camp.

Hope that helps.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Hi Annie. May I first suggest that you register since you have a logical mind?

Obviously you have studied English grammar and understand it quite well.

Anonymous1. The book describes the problems of prisoners.

The sentence is fine in the circumstances you describe. It seems to imply that all the problems of some prisoners are described in the book. As you say, we know nothing else about these prisoners as yet.

It is normal to use the in this structure, which in some grammar books written by non-native speakers of English is known as the of-genitive. In almost all cases, the use of the indicates that all and/or the only problem(s)/member(s)/roof(s) etc. are meant.

The roof of the house is covered in snow. (The house has only one roof.)
The players of the team played very well. (All the players played very well.)

However, there are instances in which the isn't used. Compare these two sentences:

She is the representative of Norway. (She is the only representative of Norway.)
She is a representative of Norway. (She isn't the only one. There are other Norwegian representatives.)

Typically, there is only one representative from each country at a beauty contest but more than one at the Olympics, for example.

Anonymous2. The book describes the problems of the prisoners of a concentration camp.

I'm not saying the above sentence is wrong, but to avoid the repetition of of, would probably say: The book describes the problems of prisoners at a concentration camp.

I would leave out the before prisoners.

CB

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