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DorisPao Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Greeks vs. The Greeks
I have one more question today (sorry…!).
1. Americans have invented the Internet.
1. The Americans have invented the Internet.
2. Americans are friendly.
2. The Americans are friendly.
Assuming that no Americans were mentioned before, I believe that in both cases the first version is best (no article), since these are generalizations.
But why do I keep on seeing, "The Greeks are responsible for the Greek crisis"? I am assuming it is because Greeks are taken as a nation in its entirety and so the definite article is used.
But I could say "Greeks are responsible for the Greek crisis", dropping the definite article? Would that still be correct?
Thank you again!
Doris
1. Americans have invented the Internet.
1. The Americans have invented the Internet.
2. Americans are friendly.
2. The Americans are friendly.
Assuming that no Americans were mentioned before, I believe that in both cases the first version is best (no article), since these are generalizations.
But why do I keep on seeing, "The Greeks are responsible for the Greek crisis"? I am assuming it is because Greeks are taken as a nation in its entirety and so the definite article is used.
But I could say "Greeks are responsible for the Greek crisis", dropping the definite article? Would that still be correct?
Thank you again!
Doris
Top answer
The use of "the" in such contexts is almost always used to suggest contrast. The Americans (and not some other group). The Greeks (and not some other group).
- The use of "the" in such contexts is almost always used to suggest contrast.
- The Americans (and not some other group).
- The Greeks (and not some other group).
- The Greeks (and not the people of any other nation) are responsible for the Greek crisis.
- Americans are friendly.
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5 Answers
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The use of "the" in such contexts is almost always used to suggest contrast. The Americans (and not some other group). The Greeks (and not some other group).
The Greeks (and not the people of any other nation) are responsible for the Greek crisis.
Americans are friendly. (suggests no contrast with others)
I would not drop "the" in the fir
The Greeks (and not the people of any other nation) are responsible for the Greek crisis.
Americans are friendly. (suggests no contrast with others)
I would not drop "the" in the fir
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CJ, thank you again! I am very happy you have responded - the quality of your replies is amazing.
Just a quick follow-up question (my last, promise): do you think it would be incorrect if I dropped the article before "greeks" as per the example above? Would you raise your eyebrows or dock marks, as a teacher?
Thank you!
Doris
Just a quick follow-up question (my last, promise): do you think it would be incorrect if I dropped the article before "greeks" as per the example above? Would you raise your eyebrows or dock marks, as a teacher?
Thank you!
Doris
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DorisPaoWould you raise your eyebrows or dock marks, as a teacher?I might raise my eyebrows, but I wouldn't dock marks!
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CJ,
Actually, it does make sense to me, in its own curious way!
Thank you for taking the time to respond - I real
Actually, it does make sense to me, in its own curious way!
Thank you for taking the time to respond - I real
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DorisPao1. Americans have invented the Internet.1. The Americans have invented the Internet.I'd s 'invented', not 'have invented'.
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