(The) dishes/models

Question

Hi, can someone please help me with this?

A secretary asks at the end of the working day:

What do I do with (the) dirty dishes?

Is the sentence okay with without the definite article before "dirty dishes"? I mean: with any dirty dishes that might pile up throughout the day?

A second question:
The new Toyota models are slick.
Is the article okay of the new models haven't been mentioned before in the conversation? I think it's okay. I explain: "the new models and not the old ones".

Thank you,
Zbig

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

zbigA secretary asks at the end of the working day:What do I do with (the) dirty dishes?Is the sentence okay with without the definite article before "dirty dishes"?

I imagine that dirty dishes have piled up during the day. At the end of the day there are actually dirty dishes to refer to. In this situation the secretary wants to know what to do with the dirty dishes.

Otherwise, there are no dishes anywhere in sight. She is being interviewed for the job. No one has hired her to be secretary yet, but something is mentioned about her duties. Dirty dishes are mentioned. She asks What do I do with dirty dishes? (whatever dirty dishes there may be when she starts the job — if she gets the job).

zbigThe new Toyota models are slick.Is the article okay of the new models haven't been mentioned before in the conversation?

It's more than OK. It's practically required.

zbigI explain: "the new models and not the old ones".

That explanation works, but it's not exactly the word "new" that explains it, because there are new models every year. The implication is "this year's models". If every time Toyota produces a new model, in any year, it is slick, then you can say "New Toyota models are slick". The probability is low, however, that anyone would be so confident about Toyota's ability to produce slick models every year from now to eternity, so you are not likely to hear this one without 'the'.

CJ

Zbig · Answer

CalifJim,

Thank you so much for your help! No questions about the Toyota models.

The first example: my example was a bit idiotic, so please allow me a slight revision to the question: a new employee has used a plate for her lunch. She is not sure what to do with this dirty plate. She asks someone in the office:
What do you with dirty dishes? Do you put them in the dishwasher or in the sink?

In this case, I think it's better without the article. I explain: if any dishes get dirty, what do staff normally do with them?
Does that make sense to you?

CalifJim · Answer

zbiga new employee has used a plate for her lunch. She is not sure what to do with this dirty plate. She asks someone in the office:What do you with dirty dishes? Do you put them in the dishwasher or in the sink?

Right. She's asking for the general rule, not about the specific plate or plates she used for lunch that day. Leave out the article.

zbigDoes that make sense to you?

Yup!

CJ

Zbig · Answer

Thank you for your time, CalifJim! This is perfect.

Zbig

(The) dishes/models

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