Suits versus the suits

Question

Hello friends!In a men's clothing store, I ask the salesperson:"Do you make suits?""Do you make the suits?"I am asking him if they make suits from scratch or sell pre-made ones. For this purpose, either of the above is correct, right?Thanks!!Vic

Victork · Accepted Answer

Friends! Is this question too difficult or stupid? Please tell me and I will rephrase!

GPY · Answer

"Do you make the suits?" is asking about some specific suits. If no suits have been mentioned, it would probably be understood to mean the suits displayed in the shop, assuming some are displayed.

"Do you make suits?" is asking about suits in general.

Anonymous · Answer

victork"Do you make suits?"

This one would be better.

victork"Do you make the suits?"

This would only make sense if you have already mentioned particular suits.

Xerxes · Answer

I concur with GPY's response.

I emphatically disagree with the second part of Anonymous's reply. You do NOT need to mention a plural noun to use the definite article, if you have a certain subgroup in mine and/or the context/situation makes it clear/obvious what it is that you are referring to. Suppose you visit a monastery. The abbot gives you a tour. You notice that the monastery is empty. You say:
Where are the monks? (Or: Where are all the monks?). It is understood from the situation which monks you are referring to ==> the ones who are at the monastery. Even if no monks have been mentioned, it is better to use the definite article. Where are monks would sound rather unnatural, to say the least.

Xerxes · Answer

P.S. I wanted to say: "You do NOT need to have previously mentioned a plural noun to use the definite article . . ."
Sorry.

CalifJim · Answer

victork"Do you make suits?"

~ Is it your business to make suits?
~ Is making suits what you do?
~ Can you make a suit for me? I might be interested.

victork"Do you make the suits?"

You see various items of clothing in the shop. You point to the suits or indicate in some way that you see the suits.

Do you make the suits? (the ones I'm pointing to or indicating by some gesture)
(used to differentiate the suits from the shirts, jackets, etc.)

victork"Do you make the suits?"

(used to differentiate making them there vs obtaining them pre-made for sale in addition to indicating the suits you see in the shop)

I might add "here" for this meaning.

Do you make the suits here? / Do you make your suits here?
_______________

I have underlined the words above that would be stressed.

CJ

Xerxes · Answer

CJ has nailed it!

Victork · Answer

Hey, super!! Thanks a lot, friends!! Consensus wins, "do you make the suits" is what I will ask when I go to the store. Taking my son to buy him a suit, his first!
Thanks!!
Vic

CalifJim · Answer

victorkHey, super!! Thanks a lot, friends!! Consensus wins, "do you make the suits" is what I will ask when I go to the store. Taking my son to buy him a suit, his first!

I am stunned!

CJ

Victork · Answer

Yes? Why stunned??

My kids, they are helpless, like most kids I see these days. If he goes on his own, I know he will spend too much and buy the wrong thing!!!

But when I go with him, I don't want to embarrass him by sounding like an immigrant! Well, they will know anyway because of the accent - but you know . . . Kids are touchy about this stuff.

Suits versus the suits

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