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Musicgold Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

logic behind using 'the'

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00Hi, 02br
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00I read the following sentence in a report. I am confused with the way in which the author has used 'the' at various places in the sentence. I have numbered the places where I have a question. 02br
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01font01b00'Exhibit 502b00 02font01font01font00shows one 00view of the changes in investor perceptions of the public equities market. The chart graphs the difference between the trailing 12-month total returns for the Russell 2000 Value and Growth indices. 01font00[1]02font00 Shaded areas below the x-axis, identified by 01font00[2]02font00 the odd numbers, indicate01font00 [3]02font00 periods during which growth stocks outperformed value stocks.'02font02font02br
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001. Why did the author not use 'the' at [1] and [3] ? I feel she is talking about the specific areas and periods shown in the exhibit.02br
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002. If the author did not consider those areas and periods suitable for an definite article, why did she use 'the' at [2], given there are many odd numbers in the chart?02br
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01font00Thanks,02font02br
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01font00 MG.02font01font02font02br
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Top answer

02br 001. Why did the author not use 'the' at [1] and [3] ? 00 If the author did not consider those areas and periods suitable for an definite article, why did she use 'the' at [2], given there are many odd numbers in the chart?

— Mister Micawber

  • 02br 001.
  • Why did the author not use 'the' at [1] and [3] ?
  • 00 If the author did not consider those areas and periods suitable for an definite article, why did she use 'the' at [2], given there are many odd numbers in the chart?
  • --01b 00 The same rule applies re plural nouns, so the answer to your question is 'no particular reason'-- she had the option, and exercised it.
  • 02b 0-
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6 Answers
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001. Why did the author not use 'the' at [1] and [3] ? I feel she is talking about the specific areas and periods shown in the exhibit.00-- 01b00Yes, but if that specificity is otherwise obvious, 'the' is often not needed with plural nouns (01i00areas, periods02i00)02b02br
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002.00 If the author did not
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0I think I would have used02br
01i00The shaded areas below the x-axis, identified by odd numbers, indicate periods during which growth stocks outperformed value stocks.02i02br
00But I would say that 01i00the02i00 is optional in all three cases you have marked. 02br
00Omitting the first 01i00the02i00
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0Thanks a lot folks. 0-
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0Mister Micawber and CJ,02br
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00A related question.02br
00I found the following para in a report. Note that the author does not use 'the' before 'tenant demand' and 'new construction', though it is assumed that the reader knows what the author is talking about. Being a non-native English writer, I would rather not omit any article, to avoid any serious mistake
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0I wouldn't use "the" in the above, we're talking about generic things. 0-
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0There are times when you have to omit an article.02br
00The two you marked are cases where the article should not be used. Both are used as non-count singular nouns.02br
00CJ 0-
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