Definite article needed?

Question

Hi,Should I place an article here? I know in certain siutations where the definiteness inherently circumscribed like when you are describing what a person is doing in front of you or a situation where a reference is on your face, so to speak, the definite article 'the' is necessary as in "He is drinking the water." A student uses scissors to cut (the) paper.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Should I place an article here? I know in certain siutations where the definiteness inherently circumscribed like when you are describing what a person is doing in front of you or a situation where a reference is on your face, so to speak, the definite article 'the' is necessary as in "He is drinking the water."

A student uses scissors to cut (the) paper

Consider these two dialogues

Dialogue 1.
Person A: Tom is drinking water.
Person B: OK.

Dialogue 2.
Person A: Tom is drinking water.
Person B: What water?
Person A: The water that he brought in his backpack.

The point is that 'the' makes it a definite reference to specific water that the speaker already knows about, while omitting 'the ' makes it a general reference.

It's the same with your second example, about student/paper.

Best wishes,Clive

AlpheccaStars · Answer

AnonymousA student uses scissors to cut (the) paper.

You should be consistent with the articles: Here are some natural variations:
The student uses scissors to cut the paper. >> A specific student is cutting some specific paper.
Students use scissors to cut paper. >> In general, people who are students cut paper with scissors.
The student uses scissors to cut paper. >> The emphasis is on the fact that scissors, and not something else, is used for the purpose of cutting paper.
A student may use scissors to cut paper. >> Indefinite article (meaning any student) used with modal verb.

A student may use scissors to cut the paper. >> Indefinite article used with modal verb, but now referencing some specific paper.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. It makes sense pretty much. Then again, we have situations when specificity is inherent as in "How is the weather?," don't we?

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, again. Why do you think the definite article is needed here if it is indeed needed?
(a piece of instruction, I think, to get ready for travel)

Bring lamp and oil for the light.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Then again, we have situations when specificity is inherent as in "How is the weather?," don't we? Yes.

It's not correct to say 'Bring lamp and oil for the light'.

Say 'Bring a lamp and oil, for light'. (or the lamp, if you are referring to a specific lamp, eg that one over there on the table)

'Bring a blanket, for warmth'. etc.

Best wishes, Clive

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