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Winpoj Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
the old, the ill ...
Hello,
In this sentence:
"The social security system provides income for the old, the ill and the unemployed."
do I really have to repeat the "the" thrice or can I say just "the old, ill and unemployed"?
In this sentence:
"The social security system provides income for the old, the ill and the unemployed."
do I really have to repeat the "the" thrice or can I say just "the old, ill and unemployed"?
Top answer
Repeating 'the' means that old, ill and unemployed are separate categories. Not repeating 'the' suggests one category: you'd have to meet all three conditions to qualify for social security income. In reality, the SS system provides income for a person who, for instance, is not old, but is ill, or for a person who is old but is still employed.
- Repeating 'the' means that old, ill and unemployed are separate categories.
- Not repeating 'the' suggests one category: you'd have to meet all three conditions to qualify for social security income.
- In reality, the SS system provides income for a person who, for instance, is not old, but is ill, or for a person who is old but is still employed.
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2 Answers
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Repeating 'the' means that old, ill and unemployed are separate categories. Not repeating 'the' suggests one category: you'd have to meet all three conditions to qualify for social security income. In reality, the SS system provides income for a person who, for instance, is not old, but is ill, or for a person who is old but is still employed.
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