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Viceidol Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
"the lions" and "lions"
I've asked a similar question on the forum; however, I still have some doubt so I need to ask for help again. Hope you don't mind.
The question I've asked before is here:
In that question, I was asking about the difference between "the teachers" and "teachers", and Mrs.Yankee kindly gave me her answer, she said:
They are the teachers of our school. This suggests 'all of the teachers'
They are teachers of our school. This suggests 'some/a few of the teachers'
Surprisingly, her answer is just the same as what my grammar book says. Actually those two sentences are directly from that grammar book, and it insists that they mean something as Mrs.Yankee has replied.
But I still have some doubt. For example, please look at the sentences below:
The lions of Africa are dangerous. (Does this suggest "all of the lions" in Africa?)
Lions of Africa are dangerous. (Does this suggest "some/a few of the lions" in Africa? In other words, according to this sentence, there are some lions which are not dangerous, and maybe quite tame?)
I have been thinking about this problem for some time, and checked several grammar books, but I still cannot find a satisfactory explanation. Could anyone solve my doubt? I'd deeply appreciate it!
The question I've asked before is here:
In that question, I was asking about the difference between "the teachers" and "teachers", and Mrs.Yankee kindly gave me her answer, she said:
They are the teachers of our school. This suggests 'all of the teachers'
They are teachers of our school. This suggests 'some/a few of the teachers'
Surprisingly, her answer is just the same as what my grammar book says. Actually those two sentences are directly from that grammar book, and it insists that they mean something as Mrs.Yankee has replied.
But I still have some doubt. For example, please look at the sentences below:
The lions of Africa are dangerous. (Does this suggest "all of the lions" in Africa?)
Lions of Africa are dangerous. (Does this suggest "some/a few of the lions" in Africa? In other words, according to this sentence, there are some lions which are not dangerous, and maybe quite tame?)
I have been thinking about this problem for some time, and checked several grammar books, but I still cannot find a satisfactory explanation. Could anyone solve my doubt? I'd deeply appreciate it!
Top answer
" The article "the," in this case, makes something more specific. You are specifically referring to the lions of Africa and not the lions of any other country. " Without the article, your statement is more generalized and less pressing.
- " The article "the," in this case, makes something more specific.
- You are specifically referring to the lions of Africa and not the lions of any other country.
- " Without the article, your statement is more generalized and less pressing.
- If you come face to face with an african lion, chances are it will be dangerous.
- But when you think about it, are there really any lions that aren't dangerous in one way or another?
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1 Answers
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"The lions of Africa..." The article "the," in this case, makes something more specific. You are specifically referring to the lions of Africa and not the lions of any other country.
"Lions of Africa..." Without the article, your statement is more generalized and less pressing. If you come face to face with an african lion, chances are it will be dangerous.
But when you thin
"Lions of Africa..." Without the article, your statement is more generalized and less pressing. If you come face to face with an african lion, chances are it will be dangerous.
But when you thin
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