Plural in generic?

Question

Silicon chips are used in calculators and computers.1. Does the noun phrase "silicon chips" above mean the whole of silicon chips or a part of the whole?2. The silicon chip is used in calculators and computers. (Class)When used in the first-mention, does this sound odd? Do you consider it as a definition?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Supercat1. Does the noun phrase "silicon chips" above mean the whole of silicon chips or a part of the whole?

It states a general case. It is another way of saying that calculators and computers use silicon chips.

Supercat2. The silicon chip is used in calculators and computers. (Class)When used in the first-mention, does this sound odd?

I'm not sure what you mean by "in the first mention", but it sounds odd in any case. Then again, generic "the" always sounds a little odd. Your sample sentence is the usual way of putting that.

SupercatDo you consider it as a definition?

If you are asking whether "Silicon chips are used in calculators and computers" is a definition of silicon chips, then no.

CalifJim · Answer

SupercatSilicon chips are used in calculators and computers.

1. Does the noun phrase "silicon chips" above mean the whole of silicon chips or a part of the whole?

Part. Some of those chips are used in those things. Those things are examples of the sort of things where silicon chips are used.

It doesn't mean that all silicon chips are used in those things (because they can also be used in other things like cars and phones).

Supercat2. The silicon chip is used in calculators and computers. (Class)
When used in the first-mention, does this sound odd?

Yes, until the reader realizes that this is a generic reference by reading the rest of the sentence. (This is a rather formal way of making a generic reference, by the way, and it doesn't always work because it can be confused with a specific reference. The seal is healthy, but the whale is sick does not contain any generic reference. I usually advise learners against 'the' for generic references and recommend the plural.)

SupercatDo you consider it as a definition?

No. It doesn't tell us what a silicon chip is, just as when I say that

The fordutianator is used in many homes,

you still don't know what a fordutianator is.

CJ

Plural in generic?

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