Definite article + a plural noun

Question

Can some kind hearted native English speaker please confirm something for me?

Situation: I see someone chasing a herd of dogs. I ask:
"Why are you chasing dogs?"
"Why are you chasing the dogs?"

Here's how it was explained to me: I can choose either one because: if I want to emphasize the fact that he is chasing dogs (doesn't matter which ones), no article is better. If I want to emphasize "these dogs" (the ones we're both looking at or the ones we both know about), then "the" is better.

So it's up to me.

Situation: I enter a store that sells hats. I see some ties.
"Why are you selling ties?" I ask.
"Why are you selling the ties?"
Same as in the first one. No article=I am as surprised to see these ties than I would be to see any others.
The article=these particular ties I see before me.

Did I understand the explanation correctly?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymousa herd of dogs

a pack of dogs

AnonymousDid I understand the explanation correctly?

Yes.

CJ

GPY · Answer

AnonymousHere's how it was explained to me: I can choose either one because: if I want to emphasize the fact that he is chasing dogs (doesn't matter which ones), no article is better. If I want to emphasize "these dogs" (the ones we're both looking at or the ones we both know about), then "the" is better. So it's up to me.

I agree with your explanation of the difference in emphasis, but to say "I can choose either one" and "it's up to me" seems a bit misleading. It makes it sound as if they are freely interchangeable, whereas in fact the choice may be dictated by context. For example, if it is a group of dogs that you both already know, then you would use "the".

AnonymousSituation: I enter a store that sells hats. I see some ties."Why are you selling ties?" I ask."Why are you selling the ties?" Same as in the first one. No article=I am as surprised to see these ties than I would be to see any others.The article=these particular ties I see before me.

No article seems more usual here, but, yes, "the ties" can be used with the nuance that you explain. "the ties" can also be used if you already know about this group of ties, but this seems unlikely in the context.

Anonymous I see someone chasing a herd of dogs

We don't use "herd" with dogs. "herd" is for large herbivores such as cows, elephants etc. You can say "pack of dogs".

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks a lot, CalifJim and GPY!

Definite article + a plural noun

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