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Darcy Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
The bare necessities
What is the meaning of 'the bare necessities' in the following example?
Why is 'the' added to 'bare necessities'?
*He has seen others dear to him suffer to the bare necessities.*
Why is 'the' added to 'bare necessities'?
*He has seen others dear to him suffer to the bare necessities.*
Top answer
The use of "to" here is not current usage, in my opinion. "Suffer from the lack of the bare necessities," would be easier to follow. Of course what is absolutely essential to one person, another may do without.
- The use of "to" here is not current usage, in my opinion.
- "Suffer from the lack of the bare necessities," would be easier to follow.
- Of course what is absolutely essential to one person, another may do without.
- But the expression is understood to refer to those things deemed essential for minimal survival, by and within a given community.
- The definite article is used to indicate the assumption that these items are agreed upon.
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5 Answers
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The use of "to" here is not current usage, in my opinion.
"Suffer from the lack of the bare necessities," would be easier to follow.
Of course what is absolutely essential to one person, another may do without.
But the expression is understood to refer to those things deemed essential for minimal survival, by and within a given community.
The definite article is use
"Suffer from the lack of the bare necessities," would be easier to follow.
Of course what is absolutely essential to one person, another may do without.
But the expression is understood to refer to those things deemed essential for minimal survival, by and within a given community.
The definite article is use
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Thanks for you quick reply.
one more question...What is the meaning of 'bare' here"?
one more question...What is the meaning of 'bare' here"?
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"bare" = simple, no frills. (definitely not luxury class seats)
The bare minimum - cut down (reduced) to the bone - the least possible amount.
The bare minimum - cut down (reduced) to the bone - the least possible amount.
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Hi Darcy
I'd say "the" is used because it refers to a specific category of necessities -- i.e. only the most basic necessities. In addition, I'd say that you will almost always see this collocation used with the word "the".
Your sentence seems to say that he has seen people he loves endure the hardship that accompanies having only the most basic things necessary for survival.
I'd say "the" is used because it refers to a specific category of necessities -- i.e. only the most basic necessities. In addition, I'd say that you will almost always see this collocation used with the word "the".
Your sentence seems to say that he has seen people he loves endure the hardship that accompanies having only the most basic things necessary for survival.
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By the way, I agree with Avangi that the use of the word "to" is quite unusual in that sentence. It may very well be a typo. And my interpretation of the sentence was simply my best guess.
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