The increase , the cities

Question

Rapes are on the increase, in villages and in the cities.

https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/raveena-tandon-didnt-he-hear-her-screams/20170420.htm
Please explain to me the use of "the" before "increase and cities"?
Thanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

'on the increase' is a fixed idiom. It's always said that way whether it follows any rules or not. It means 'increasing'.

'villages' and 'cities' are both plural. In this sentence it doesn't matter whether it's the zero article or 'the'. 'the' would refer to a specific set of villages or cities, but that's not necessary. The reader will know what villages or cities are intended by the context. In this case the reader knows it's the villages of India and the cities of India.

That means Raveena Tandon had four choices. She could have said any of these:

in the villages and in the cities
in the villages and in cities
in villages and in the cities
in villages and in cities

The choice is arbitrary.

CJ

The increase , the cities

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