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Victork Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

[the] dust and noise

Hello my friends!!

I read this in an article recently:

"The management decided to renovate the building and also to undertake a construction project across the street, so for the longest time we were forced to put up with dust and noise."

I am a bit confused. Why no article in front of "dust and noise"? Should it not be "thedust and noise"?? Renovation and construction usually involve dust and noise!! Why the disconnect? It's like the writer thinks the reader is stupid! Emotion: smile

I would appreciate if someone explained. What if I wrote "the" before "dust and noise"? Would that be incorrect or change the sentence somehow?
  

Top answer

"dust" and "noise" are generalities. So an article is optional. eg.

— AlpheccaStars

  • "dust" and "noise" are generalities.
  • So an article is optional.
  • eg.
  • There was always dust in the attic.
  • He doesn't like noise.
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3 Answers
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"dust" and "noise" are generalities. So an article is optional.
eg.
There was always dust in the attic.
He doesn't like noise.
victork What if I wrote "the" before "dust and noise"? Would that be incorrect or change the sentence somehow?
No, "the" is optional.
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If you include "the" then it implies "the dust and noise from the building works". However, since this is understood anyway, it scarcely makes any difference to the meaning. For apparently very subtle reasons to do with the overall context, my feeling is that the sentence works slightly better with "the" omitted. Opinions may vary.

(Cross-posted.)
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Hey, thank you, Alphecca Stars and GPY!! Fantastic! Thanks a lot! That clarifies a lot for me.

Cheers,
Vic
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