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Cybercrystal Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

The or no the

Hi,

When I want to talk about my love for dogs in general, I can say : I like dogs.

How about this one : I like the dog.

Does it sound odd?
  

Top answer

It means that you like some certain dog: the one you see, or the dog of your friend, or the one you were talking about etc. It is perfectly correct, but it has another meaning than the first one. You should review your knowledge of the Article (the Indefinite and the Defenite ones), so you can understand their usage.

— Ksusha

  • It means that you like some certain dog: the one you see, or the dog of your friend, or the one you were talking about etc.
  • It is perfectly correct, but it has another meaning than the first one.
  • You should review your knowledge of the Article (the Indefinite and the Defenite ones), so you can understand their usage.
  • Good luck with learning!
  • Ksenia
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7 Answers
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It means that you like some certain dog: the one you see, or the dog of your friend, or the one you were talking about etc. It is perfectly correct, but it has another meaning than the first one.
You should review your knowledge of the Article (the Indefinite and the Defenite ones), so you can understand their usage.

Good luck with learning!
Ksenia
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"A tiger is faster than a lion." means all tigers?

"The monkey is an intelligent animal" means all monkeys?
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A tiger is faster than a lion means all tigers?

The monkey is an intelligent animal means all monkeys?
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cybercrystalA tiger is faster than a lion means all tigers?
Yes. And all lions.
cybercrystalThe monkey is an intelligent animal means all monkeys?
Yes.

CJ
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cybercrystalWhen I want to talk about my love for dogs in general, I can say : I like dogs.
Yes.
cybercrystalHow about this one : I like the dog.
No. You can't talk about your love for dogs in general by saying this. This one is talking about one dog.

I like the X is always about one specifi
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Women like shopping more than men do. This is ok. How about these?

The woman likes shopping more than the man does.

A woman likes shopping more than a man does.
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The same principles apply.

Women like shopping more than men do. < Generic.
The woman likes shopping more than the man does. < Not generic. Two specific people.

A woman likes shopping more than a man does. < Generic.
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