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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Optional definite aritlcle?

Hi. Please tell me if the definite article is needed for the following sentences.

They are spirits. And (the?) souls of men are spirits. The souls of men live in (the?) houses of dirt.
  

Top answer

Hi, It's hard to decide without seeing more of the context. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, It's hard to decide without seeing more of the context.
  • Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,

It's hard to decide without seeing more of the context.

Clive
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Hi. Thank you. I think what I am trying do is trying to get some clear idea as to whether I have to put definite articles in front of "of-phrases" when a plural noun like "souls" or "houses" are involved. Do you think we need to put the definite article here? Also, do you think generally when a sentence is general in nature and has the forementioned structure (that is, the "of-phrase" with a plura
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Hi,

I think what I am trying do is trying to get some clear idea as to whether I have to put definite articles in front of "of-phrases" when a plural noun like "souls" or "houses" are involved. Do you think we need to put the definite article here? Also, do you think generally when a sentence is general in nature and has the forementioned structure (tha
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Thank you very much. As for the sentences I wrote in the first post. Let us say they are simple sentences indicating what the writer thinks what the parts of a man are and what thoes parts are, and also where a certain part of his/her being is, like "A man has two legs and they are below the waist." Based on this context, do you think definite articles are needed? I think it might be easier for yo
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Hi,

I'd say
The souls of men are spirits. The souls of men live in houses of dirt.

The souls of men are spirits and live in houses of dirt.

Clive
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