On the back or backs; put the article or articles?

Question

Hi. Would you say just one of the underlined phrase is needed for the following sentences and that the correct one is the one in bold letters? If yes, why isn't the other one correct? For no. 2, I couldn't think of any other ways to write the word "the" plural other than using an apostrophe and writing it "the's."

1. The pictures have the letter T on the back / on the backs.
2. You need to put the definite article "the" / the definite articles "the's" in front of those wordss.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Would you say just one of the underlined phrase is needed for the following sentences and that the correct one is the one in bold letters? If yes, why isn't the other one correct? For no. 2, I couldn't think of any other ways to write the word "the" plural other than using an apostrophe and writing it "the's."

1. The pictures have the letter T on the back / on the backs. I wouldn't say #2 is wrong, but #1 is more idiomatic.

2. You need to put the definite article "the" / the definite articles "the's" in front of those wordss.
You don't need the word 'the'. 'The definite article' means 'the'.

If you really want to say it, #1 is the more idiomatic of the two.

#2 is terrible; instead, say eg You need to put the definite article in front of each of those words

Clive

On the back or backs; put the article or articles?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions