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Zbig Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

The garbage trucks

Hi.
I was reading this:

The garbage containers are placed near the garage, where they are picked up by the garbage trucks.

These garbage trucks have not been previously mentioned. Why 'the'? I think it's because the writer is referring to a certain group of garbage trucks: the ones that service the route.

But he could also have written 'by garbage trucks' without 'the', right? Thank you.

Zbig
  

Top answer

These garbage trucks have not been previously mentioned. Why 'the'? But he could also have written 'by garbage trucks' without 'the', right?

— Anonymous

  • These garbage trucks have not been previously mentioned.
  • Why 'the'?
  • But he could also have written 'by garbage trucks' without 'the', right?
  • e.
  • "the garbage trucks", not the other type of trucks.
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4 Answers
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zbigHi.I was reading this:The garbage containers are placed near the garage, where they are picked up by the garbage trucks.These garbage trucks have not been previously mentioned. Why 'the'? I think it's because the writer is referring to a certain group of garbage trucks: the ones that service the route.But he could also have written 'by garbage trucks' without 'the', r
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"the" is used on the basis that we know or expect garbage trucks to exist in that situation, based on general knowledge. It is not mandatory though.
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AnonymousI read "the", here, as a 'generic' one, i.e. "the garbage trucks", not the other type of trucks.
Anon's reply was not visible when I posted mine, but I believe that this is another valid interpretation.
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Thank you, Anon and GPY. Thank you.
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