0
Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
(The) harried employees
Teachers,
I have the following grammar/article question.
When I arrived at the airport in Jakarta, due to the holiday season the atmosphere was chaotic. Watching (the) harried airport employees and (the) fatigued travellers, I thought I should have flown out at a different time.
For both employees and travellers, I mention them for the first time.
My questions:
1. Is it up to me in this context whether I use the definite article before "airport employees" and "fatigued travellers" (I think both are correct)?
2. Which is better for the context? (I prefer no article: The fact that the atmosphere was chaotic does not automatically mean that all the employees are harried and all the travellers are fatigued. I am introducing both for the first time.)
I have the following grammar/article question.
When I arrived at the airport in Jakarta, due to the holiday season the atmosphere was chaotic. Watching (the) harried airport employees and (the) fatigued travellers, I thought I should have flown out at a different time.
For both employees and travellers, I mention them for the first time.
My questions:
1. Is it up to me in this context whether I use the definite article before "airport employees" and "fatigued travellers" (I think both are correct)?
2. Which is better for the context? (I prefer no article: The fact that the atmosphere was chaotic does not automatically mean that all the employees are harried and all the travellers are fatigued. I am introducing both for the first time.)
Top answer
I expect the definite article. It's not just any random airport employees; it's the Jakarta Airport employees. And it's not just any random travelers; it's the ones in the Jakarta Airport, arriving or departing.
- I expect the definite article.
- It's not just any random airport employees; it's the Jakarta Airport employees.
- And it's not just any random travelers; it's the ones in the Jakarta Airport, arriving or departing.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
6 Answers
0
I expect the definite article. It's not just any random airport employees; it's the Jakarta Airport employees. And it's not just any random travelers; it's the ones in the Jakarta Airport, arriving or departing.
00
AlpheccaStarsI expect the definite article. It's not just any random airport employees; it's the Jakarta Airport employees. And it's not just any random travelers; it's the ones in the Jakarta Airport, arriving or departing.Thank you, teacher. But they are not just "employees" or "travellers". They are harried airport employees and fatigued travellers, and th
00
AnonymousThey are harried airport employees and fatigued travellers, and these adjectives introduce new information.That does not make any difference. I still would use the definite article.
00
AlpheccaStarsThat does not make any difference. I still would use the definite article.It doesn't? But, teacher, if let's say (I can't think of a better example):
I paid a visit to Jakarta's most elite school for boys. Observing uppity, arrogant students strut their stuff in the halls, I left disgusted.
If these uppity, arrogant stude
00
If it's not all the students, I would use "some" or "a few." That would make it clearer.
00
Related Questions