Definite articles needed or not

Question

Hi. Do you think we need to put the definite article "the" for the parts indicated?

1. I think if you do what you do best and do it honestly, you will shine like (the?) dawn.

2. Who does (the?) laundry in your house?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Yes to both.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you. Could you tell me in simple terms why you think the definite articles are needed in the two sentences I wrote in the starting post?

For your convenience, the two sentences are these:

1. I think if you do what you do best and do it honestly, you will shine like (the?) dawn.

2. Who does (the?) laundry in your house?

For no. 1, I think it is a simile and I think it means it is making a comparison of one to the other. I can't lay out the reason but I think it being a simile (if it really is) might have something to do with the need to put the article before the word "dawn." On second thoughts, I think not ... oh, I don't know .... Please help.

For no. 2, I think the normal context carries an element of inherent definiteness. But again, on second thoughts, I am not so sure. (Also, I am not sure I wrote reflects what I really wanted to say.) Help.

One more thing. Would you say all these require the definite article "the" for the parts underlined?

Who usually does the shopping/the cooking/feeding of dogs in your household?

Mister Micawber · Answer

1. I think if you do what you do best and do it honestly, you will shine like the dawn.-- An entity is created of 'dawn' by the article, which makes it a more fitting comparison with a person.

2. Who does (the) laundry in your house?-- Both are fine by me.

3. Who usually does the shopping/the cooking/the feeding of the dogs in your household?-- 'Do' determines the fitness of the article. Compare 'Who goes shopping?' 'Who likes cooking' 'Who avoids feeding?'

Definite articles needed or not

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