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Reegis Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Frank's haughtiness alienates [the] people around him.

Hello.

What is the difference between the sentences below?

1) Frank's haughtiness alienates people around him.
2) Frank's haughtiness alienates the people around him.

Is one better than the other?
  

Top answer

#1 suggests perhaps some of the people around him. #2 refers to all of the people around him.

— Clive

  • #1 suggests perhaps some of the people around him.
  • #2 refers to all of the people around him.
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6 Answers
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#1 suggests perhaps some of the people around him.
#2 refers to all of the people around him.
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You said 'perhaps' - does it mean that this 'the' is not unambiguous and its meaning here is open for interpretation?
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On the contrary, 'the people' clearly refers to all the people.
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Yeah, but you used 'perhaps' when commenting on 'people' without 'the', and this is why I asked about this.
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1) Frank's haughtiness alienates people around him.

this could man some of the people or all of the people.
The context will usually make the intended meaning clear.
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