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Gudrun Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Beware of (the) ice
Dear English speakers,
Due to severe weather, there has been ice accretion on some of the buildings in our neighbourhood.
We issue a warning and place signs beside all high buildings:
Dear residents/visitors, beware of (the) ice.
We choose to omit the definite article before "ice", but I think either is okay.
I think there is a nuance:
Beware of ice - beware of any/some that may have formed and might fall down.
Beware of the ice - beware of the ice that is there right now.
I think it makes better sense to say "beware of ice", since we don't know if any ice has formed on any given building and how much of it, if any, might fall down.
Do you agree with my analysis? Thank you, Gudrun
Due to severe weather, there has been ice accretion on some of the buildings in our neighbourhood.
We issue a warning and place signs beside all high buildings:
Dear residents/visitors, beware of (the) ice.
We choose to omit the definite article before "ice", but I think either is okay.
I think there is a nuance:
Beware of ice - beware of any/some that may have formed and might fall down.
Beware of the ice - beware of the ice that is there right now.
I think it makes better sense to say "beware of ice", since we don't know if any ice has formed on any given building and how much of it, if any, might fall down.
Do you agree with my analysis? Thank you, Gudrun
Top answer
Gudrun I think either is okay. Yes. Beware of the ice - beware of the ice that is there right now.
- Gudrun I think either is okay.
- Yes.
- Beware of the ice - beware of the ice that is there right now.
- Yes, roughly.
- Gudrun Do you agree with my analysis?
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3 Answers
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Gudrun I think either is okay.Yes.
GudrunI think there is a nuance:Beware of ice - beware of any/some that may have formed and might fall down.Beware of the ice - beware of the ice that is there right now.Yes, roughly.
GudrunDo you agree with my analysis?I think it doesn't make any prac
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I think "Beware of ice" is better for the reason that you explain. However, with no other information, I would understand "Beware of ice" to be warning about slippery conditions underfoot, not ice falling from buildings. "Beware of falling ice" seems clearer.
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Thank you, dear GPY and Mister Micawber, for responding. I appreciate your kindness. Happy Easter, if you celebrate it.
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