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Petusek Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
definite article vs. zero article + plural nouns
Hello everyone,
Is there any difference in meaning between the following phrases/clauses?
1a. The present construction based on a meticulous analysis of selected representatives of the main XYZ taxa reveals [...]
1b. The present construction based on a meticulous analysis of the selected representatives of the main XYZ taxa reveals [...]
2a. These traits are more or less shared by representatives of the genera X and Y.
2b. These traits are more or less shared by the representatives of the genera X and Y.
3.a. [...] for example X and Y, members of the Z's derived from the second division of the Q's.
3.b. [...] for example X and Y, the members of the Z's derived from the second division of the Q's
4.a. The bones of the representatives of the two of taxa displayed deep abrasion.
4.b. The bones of representatives of the two of taxa displayed deep abrasion.
4.c. Bones of the representatives of the two of taxa displayed deep abrasion.
4.d. Bones of representatives of the two taxa displayed deep abrasion.
Now, my understanding has been that the definite article makes the referents somehow unique. It is unclear to me, however, how this works with plural nouns. Now, I could imagine using the definite article to differentiate one group from another group, like "the bones of A are different from the bones of B", but if there is no need to contrast them, do I have to use the article?
I hope my question is comprehensible. I'll be extremely thankful for any help or advice concerning this issue.
P.
Is there any difference in meaning between the following phrases/clauses?
1a. The present construction based on a meticulous analysis of selected representatives of the main XYZ taxa reveals [...]
1b. The present construction based on a meticulous analysis of the selected representatives of the main XYZ taxa reveals [...]
2a. These traits are more or less shared by representatives of the genera X and Y.
2b. These traits are more or less shared by the representatives of the genera X and Y.
3.a. [...] for example X and Y, members of the Z's derived from the second division of the Q's.
3.b. [...] for example X and Y, the members of the Z's derived from the second division of the Q's
4.a. The bones of the representatives of the two of taxa displayed deep abrasion.
4.b. The bones of representatives of the two of taxa displayed deep abrasion.
4.c. Bones of the representatives of the two of taxa displayed deep abrasion.
4.d. Bones of representatives of the two taxa displayed deep abrasion.
Now, my understanding has been that the definite article makes the referents somehow unique. It is unclear to me, however, how this works with plural nouns. Now, I could imagine using the definite article to differentiate one group from another group, like "the bones of A are different from the bones of B", but if there is no need to contrast them, do I have to use the article?
I hope my question is comprehensible. I'll be extremely thankful for any help or advice concerning this issue.
P.
Top answer
Whether or not to use an article would depend on the context, but generally speaking, and without seeing further context, I would say the following: 1a would usually be used: several representatives of the main XYZ taxa were selected and analyzed. Then, in subsequent places where these representatives are mentioned, you'd typically use the article: The next construction, based on further analysis of the selected representatives, reveals... 2a would be used: these traits are shared by representatives of the genera X and Y.
- Whether or not to use an article would depend on the context, but generally speaking, and without seeing further context, I would say the following: 1a would usually be used: several representatives of the main XYZ taxa were selected and analyzed.
- Then, in subsequent places where these representatives are mentioned, you'd typically use the article: The next construction, based on further analysis of the selected representatives, reveals...
- 2a would be used: these traits are shared by representatives of the genera X and Y.
- 2b would rarely if ever be used.
- 3a would be used.
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1 Answers
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Whether or not to use an article would depend on the context, but generally speaking, and without seeing further context, I would say the following:
1a would usually be used: several representatives of the main XYZ taxa were selected and analyzed. Then, in subsequent places where these representatives are mentioned, you'd typically use the article: The next construction, based on furt
1a would usually be used: several representatives of the main XYZ taxa were selected and analyzed. Then, in subsequent places where these representatives are mentioned, you'd typically use the article: The next construction, based on furt
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