(the or without the) books I read yesterday

Question

If I read several interesting books and I want to tell a friend of mine about them, which one of the following sentences is proper?
1. Books I read yesterday were interesting.
2. The books I read yesterday were interesting.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

#1 implies that some of the books were interesting. #2 implies that all of the books were interesting.

If you mean "some," it would be better to say, "Some [of the] books I read yesterday were interesting."
OR "I read some interesting books yesterday."
My alternate version allows that possibly all of them were interesting.

The choice might depend on prior context. Had you discussed that you intended to read some books?

The question of whether or not you read each book in its entirety is not really addressed.

Some would hold that if you say, "I read two books yesterday," it means that you read them cover-to-cover.

Snappy · Answer

Avangi#1 implies that some of the books were interesting. #2 implies that all of the books were interesting.If you mean "some," it would be better to say, "Some [of the] books I read yesterday were interesting."OR "I read some interesting books yesterday."My alternate version allows that possibly all of them were interesting.The choice might depend on prior context. Had you discussed that you intended to read some books?The question of whether or not you read each book in its entirety is not really addressed.Some would hold that if you say, "I read two books yesterday," it means that you read them cover-to-cover.

Thanks. Then, is it possible to say like this?: It's very difficult to find interesting books these days, but some books that I read yesterday were different. They were interesting! (missing image)

Avangi · Answer

Yes, that's posslble.

Snappy · Answer

I have been wondering why "Books I read yesterday were interesting" sounds odd to native speakers of English. So have my friends.

Let me confirm if the following understanding is correct:

1. A book (that) I read yesterday was interesting.
This sentence structure is possible. The sentence means: A book (One book) was interesting. I read it yesterday.
Similarly, the sentence "Some books (that) I read yesterday were interesting," is possible and it means: Some books were interesting. I read them yesterday.

2. The book (that) I read yesterday was interesting.
People don't start a conversation by saying, "The book was interesting," unless there is an appropriate context because the listeners don't know what "the book" refers to.
The relative clause in the above sentence explains what "the book" refers to. The sentence means: I read a book yesterday. The book was interesting.
Similarly, the sentence "The books (that) I read yesterday were interesting," is possible and it means: I read some books yesterday. The books were interesting.

3. Books (that) I read yesterday were interesting.
This sentence structure is impossible. People don't start a conversation by saying, "Books were interesting," or otherwise it sounds as if books in general were interesting.

4. I read a book/some books (that) he gave me.
This sentence structure is possible and it means: I read a book/some books. He gave it/them to me.

5. I read the book/books (that) he gave me.
Again, people don't start a conversation by saying, "I read the book/books," unless there is an appropriate context.
The relative clause explains what "the book/books" refers to. The sentence means: He gave me a book/some books. I read the book/books.

6. This is the book (that) you lost last week.
People don't start a conversation by saying, "This is the book," unless there is an appropriate context because the listeners don't know what "the book" refers to.
The relative clause in the above sentence explains what "the book" refers to. The sentence means: You lost a book last week. This is the book.

7. This is the book (that) I bought yesterday.
This sentence structure is possible and it means: I bought a book yesterday. This is the book.

8. This is a book (that) I bought yesterday.
This sentence structure is possible but it occurs less frequently than sentence structure 7, because people don't start a conversation by saying, "This is a book," because the listeners will know it is a book when they see it.
However, "This is a box of candy (that) I bought yesterday," may occur more frequently because the listeners may not know what is in the box. This sentence means: This is a box of candy. I bought it yesterday.

Avangi · Answer

Snappy3. Books (that) I read yesterday were interesting.
This sentence structure is impossible. People don't start a conversation by saying, "Books were interesting," or otherwise it sounds as if books in general were interesting.

The sentence structure is possible. The sentence is perfectly grammatical.

As you say, it's difficult to imagine a situation in which the sentence would be used.

In my opinion, all the examples except #3 are perfectly natural. In many cases, simply walking up to someone with a book in your hand is sufficient context.

On EF, example sentences are taken out of context most of the time. That doesn't make the sentences unnatural.

Snappy · Answer

Let me confirm one more thing.

I think it's okay to say, "Books that children read should enrich children's knowlege," because it means: Children read books. Such books (in general) should enrich children's knowledge.

Am I correct?

Avangi · Answer

Snappy "Books that children read should enrich children's knowlege," because it means: Children read books.

Close enough.

Technically, I don't think it specifically says that they read [the] books.

People who travel to Mars should pack an extra set of underwear. It doesn't say people go to Mars.

Snappy · Answer

Avangi
Snappy "Books that children read should enrich children's knowlege," because it means: Children read books.
Close enough.Technically, I don't think it specifically says that they read [the] books.People who travel to Mars should pack an extra set of underwear. It doesn't say people go to Mars.

I understand what you meant.

I think "People who travel to Mars should be prepared for a long journey." means : People may travel to Mars in the future. Such people (not the people) should be prepared for a long journey. Therefore, the definite article (the) before "people" is not required.

"Books (that) I read yesterday were interesting."

You wrote: The sentence structure is possible. The sentence is perfectly grammatical.

I still don't know in what context this sentence structure (beginning with "Books" without "the") is possible.

How about the following sentences?

"Novels that enrich children's knowledge are good books."

I think this sentence structure is okay, and it means: There are novels enriching children's knowledge. Such novels (not the novesl) are good books. Therefore, the definite article (the) before "novels" is not required.

"Water that we drink every day should be clean enough," is okay too, and it means: We (most probably) drink water every day. Such water (not the water) should be clean enough. The definite article (the) before "water" is not required.

Avangi · Answer

You seem to understand the issues.

(I didn't say there was anything wrong with the sentence.)

- A.

(the or without the) books I read yesterday

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