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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

children of today / the children of today

I'd appreciate it if someone would answer my question about the following sentences. Thanks in advance.

A: Are children of today less active than before and is their health in danger? What can we do? (Source---google )

B: When comparing the past times of children of today with those of yesterday, it can be said that the past definitely leads to the future. (Source---google )

<Q 1> I think in A "of today" restricts and specifies "children", so "the" should be added to "children of today". Am I right?

<Q 2> What about "children of today" in B, which is in object position unlike that in A
(A is in subject position.)? Is "the" unnecessary?
  

Top answer

Yes, "of today" modifies "children". "the" is optional in both cases; it does not change the meaning significantly. However, (B) is hard to understand.

  • Yes, "of today" modifies "children".
  • "the" is optional in both cases; it does not change the meaning significantly.
  • However, (B) is hard to understand.
  • I wonder whether "past times" may be an error for "pastimes".
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1 Answers
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Yes, "of today" modifies "children".

"the" is optional in both cases; it does not change the meaning significantly. However, (B) is hard to understand. I wonder whether "past times" may be an error for "pastimes".

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