[the] native speakers

Question

A: Is it correct to say that?B: I think so. Please verify with [the] native speakers.Is the article 'the' needed? I believe 'the' in this sentence serves the same purpose as 'the Italians' as in not 'the Germans',therefore, it's fine to be included. Is my interpretation correct?Thanks in advance

Peaceblinkfriend · Accepted Answer

Hi New2grammar,

I believe you got that from my post right?

Anyway, I use the article 'the' in front of 'native speakers' because I was kind of refering to Grammar Geek, Nona, Clive, Hitchhiker, CalifJim. etc when I say the native speakers. However, you can use `the' with a singular count noun when you want to make a general statement about all things of that type. For example, if you say `The whale is the largest mammal in the world', you mean all whales, not one particular whale.

When you said 'the Germans' and 'the Italians', I am fairly sure that it is only short for something like 'the German/Italian Amry', 'the German/Italian football team'.etc
Of course, you could also be refering to the people from Germany/Italy as a group. This is the same as the Americans, the British, the Dutch.etc

Best wishes,

PBF

New2grammar · Answer

Please don't sue me for plagiarism

. Even if you did, you might not win because your original sentence used 'a native speaker'

Please check if my understanding is correct:

so if I say "Please verify with the native speaker," I could only mean one thing which is the particular person who is a native speaker, and not the same type of people who are English native speakers.

and if I say "Please verify with the native speakers," I could mean two things: 1) native speakers and not non-native speakers 2) those specific native speakers like GG, CalifJim, Amy and etc. I believe #1 is the likely choice because there is no need to verify with so many native speakers.

and if I say "Please verify with native speakers, I could mean only one thing which is simply native speakers.

Do you agree?

Many thanks!

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

Hi New2grammar,

Well, you know, if I were you, I would not be so sure about me losing the lawsuit.

I will change your sentences a bit to what I would say. Hope you don't mind.

"You might want to verify it with the native speaker" - It implies that somebody is simply telling you to verify it with that one particular native speaker. Of course, this would only be said if both the listener and the speaker know who they are talking about. Or any native speaker.

"You might want to verify it with the native speakers" - It implies that the speaker is telling you to verify it with those particular native speakers.

"You might want to verify it with native speakers" - Any native speaker

Of course, these are just what I think. It might do you good if you verify it with the native speakers.

Best wishes,

PBF

New2grammar · Answer

Actually I just came back from meeting my lawyer. I'm still upset over the high fees she is charging me for her service which she didn't disclose beforehand though I asked. If I had known, I would have picked another lawyer. So, I'm definitely not interested in any lawsuit, at least not now.

I agree with your interpretations except one.

"You might want to verify it with the native speakers" - It implies that the speaker is telling you to verify it with those particular native speakers. => I believe it could also mean the native speakers and not others, like non-native speakers.

Any native speaker would like to give some comments. This has been bothering me for a while. Thanks in advance!

[the] native speakers

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