0
Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

question on article

Mr. M wrote this in one of the posts and am wondering what differences would they engender if they are changed as such.

Those who contribute to the progress of (the???) society or rescue the poor from adversity deserve a reputation for (the???) greatness.

the society refers to a particular/specific society that the writer has in his mind or the society he is making a reference to? Then, how about the words "the greatness"? the specific greatness that has been mentioned before?
  

Top answer

" The use of "the" where it refers to "the poor" is correct because it is indicating all people of a particular type. It would not be proper usage to put the word "the" before greatness. Think of greatness as being eminent.

— RedPenCJ

  • " The use of "the" where it refers to "the poor" is correct because it is indicating all people of a particular type.
  • It would not be proper usage to put the word "the" before greatness.
  • Think of greatness as being eminent.
  • "
Free · every Monday

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
You could use "the" if, for example, you really were referring to a particular society --

"...to the progress of the Italian society."

The use of "the" where it refers to "the poor" is correct because it is indicating all people of a particular type.

It would not be proper usage to put the word "the" before greatness. Think of greatness as being eminent. You would not
0

Related Questions