0
Magic-dragon Posted 6 years ago
Grammar
In summer --- period or season?
Would you answer my question concerning the following sentences? A: In the summer the Browns go to the mountains and enjoy hiking.B: In summer the Browns go to the mountains and enjoy hiking. A few linguists say "the summer" in A means the summer period, and "summer" in B means the summer season. In my opinion, "the summer" in A indeed means the summer period, because "the summer" is one of 4 divided parts of a year.
And if "summer" in B is a concept, then it means features of summer such as the heat, summer events and summer sports ---etc, not the summer period. However, native speakers I talked this matter with say "summer" in B doesn't have such a meaning or nuance, and say it just means a period as in A. They say "in the summer" in A is the same as "in summer" in B. If they are right, it follows that "summer" in B has no concept, and it's just that the omitted "the" is invisible in a sentence as in '(The) police are chasing after the criminal."
I myself feel like agreeing with the latter opinion (native speakers' opinion), but I'm not sure. I'd like your opinions.
And if "summer" in B is a concept, then it means features of summer such as the heat, summer events and summer sports ---etc, not the summer period. However, native speakers I talked this matter with say "summer" in B doesn't have such a meaning or nuance, and say it just means a period as in A. They say "in the summer" in A is the same as "in summer" in B. If they are right, it follows that "summer" in B has no concept, and it's just that the omitted "the" is invisible in a sentence as in '(The) police are chasing after the criminal."
I myself feel like agreeing with the latter opinion (native speakers' opinion), but I'm not sure. I'd like your opinions.
Top answer
Magic-dragon A few linguists say "the summer" in A means the summer period, and "summer" in B means the summer season. There isn't any clear or generally understood difference between "summer season" and "summer period". "season" can have a technical/precise definition in some contexts, but this doesn't apply clearly enough in your case.
- Magic-dragon A few linguists say "the summer" in A means the summer period, and "summer" in B means the summer season.
- There isn't any clear or generally understood difference between "summer season" and "summer period".
- "season" can have a technical/precise definition in some contexts, but this doesn't apply clearly enough in your case.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
Magic-dragonA few linguists say "the summer" in A means the summer period, and "summer" in B means the summer season.
There isn't any clear or generally understood difference between "summer season" and "summer period". "season" can have a technical/precise definition in some contexts, but this doesn't apply clearly enough in your case.
0
Related Questions