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Reegis Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Articles: These are bear tracks.

Hello everyone,

let's say I am walking in a forest, all of a sudden see some tracks and say to my friend behind me:

1) These are bear tracks.
2) These are the bear tracks.
3) These are a bear's tracks.
4) These are the tracks of a bear.

Which of them are correct? Does either of them sound better than the others?
  

Top answer

Reegis 1) These are bear tracks. Incorrect. "bear" needs a kind of determiner.

— KhoshtipMan

  • Reegis 1) These are bear tracks.
  • Incorrect.
  • "bear" needs a kind of determiner.
  • Reegis 2) These are the bear tracks.
  • Correct, if there is some known/specific bear.
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13 Answers
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Reegis1) These are bear tracks.
Incorrect. "bear" needs a kind of determiner.
Reegis2) These are the bear tracks.
Correct, if there is some known/specific bear.

The rest is fine, I think.
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KhoshtipManIncorrect. "bear" needs a kind of determiner.
Are you sure? What about interpreting bear as an adjective? To my mind, the question is whether the word tracks (not bear) needs a definite article since we are talking about tracks that are very specific and known to a receiver.
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ReegisAre you sure?
Since no one is perfect and English is not an exact language, so no!
ReegisWhat about interpreting bear as an adjective?
How can it be possible? Do you mean to describe huge tracks by the word "bear"?
ReegisTo my mind, the question is whether the word tracks (not bear) needs a defi
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Reegis1) These are bear tracks.
Good.
Reegis2) These are the bear tracks.
OK in context.
You can distinguish the bear tracks from the deer tracks by...
See, here are the bear tracks. See imprints of the long claws and the pads of the toes.
Reegis3) These are a bear's tracks.
I woul
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AlpheccaStarsGood.
And why didn't you use a determiner for it please?
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KhoshtipManAnd why didn't you use a determiner for it please?
Like a possessive, bear acts as a determiner. It tells us whose tracks we are looking at.
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AlpheccaStarsIt tells us whose tracks we are looking at.
Yes, the tracks belong to some bear, but, the noun "bear" is a singular countable noun which needs a determiner.
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KhoshtipManYes, the tracks belong to some bear, but, the noun "bear" is a singular countable noun which needs a determiner.
The word "bear" does not have a nominal function in the sentence. It is a noun adjunct, a noun modifier.

The bear tracks = particular tracks made by a particular bear
bear tracks = a type of track that is made by bears.
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AlpheccaStarsThe word "bear" does not have a nominal function in the sentence. It is a noun adjunct, a noun modifier.The bear tracks = particular tracks made by a particular bearbear tracks = a type of track that is made by bears. You can find bear tracks, deer tracks, raccoon tracks and tracks of many other animals in the forest.You can also find bicycle tracks.
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KhoshtipManSince no one is perfect and English is not an exact language, so no!
It sounded like you were very certain. Then please refrain from such categorical statements when you are not sure. They might be misleading.
KhoshtipManHow can it be possible? Do you mean to describe huge tracks by the word "bear"?
Yes, it is pos
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