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Rajiman Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
The + plural nouns
Hello,
Can someone PLEASE explain to me the rule behind this?
The deal will be beneficial for shareholders.
The army will get new technology, which should lift soldiers' morale.
The CEO said the new incentive will make employees happy.
The principal claimed that the new rule will make students more disciplined.
In all of the above examples, there is no definite article before the nouns. Yet it's clear that a specific group of shareholders, soldiers, employees, and students is referred to. It's the shareholders of the company doing the deal, the students of the principal's school. etc.
Why then is it incorrect to say (as I was told that it was here ) "I was impressed by the courage of soldiers". If I also want to keep it non-specific? Some/many/any soldiers in that combat unit.
There has to be a rule! Can someone please explain this?
Can someone PLEASE explain to me the rule behind this?
The deal will be beneficial for shareholders.
The army will get new technology, which should lift soldiers' morale.
The CEO said the new incentive will make employees happy.
The principal claimed that the new rule will make students more disciplined.
In all of the above examples, there is no definite article before the nouns. Yet it's clear that a specific group of shareholders, soldiers, employees, and students is referred to. It's the shareholders of the company doing the deal, the students of the principal's school. etc.
Why then is it incorrect to say (as I was told that it was here ) "I was impressed by the courage of soldiers". If I also want to keep it non-specific? Some/many/any soldiers in that combat unit.
There has to be a rule! Can someone please explain this?
Top answer
I would say that "I was impressed by the courage of soldiers" is less usual or expected rather than definitely incorrect. I think that the direct personal experience of "I was impressed by" makes this particular group of soldiers seem more specific and therefore deserving of the definite article. " is likely to be "The ones I met".
- I would say that "I was impressed by the courage of soldiers" is less usual or expected rather than definitely incorrect.
- I think that the direct personal experience of "I was impressed by" makes this particular group of soldiers seem more specific and therefore deserving of the definite article.
- " is likely to be "The ones I met".
- ", say, in the first example, is likely to be "Any/All shareholders".
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3 Answers
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I would say that "I was impressed by the courage of soldiers" is less usual or expected rather than definitely incorrect. I think that the direct personal experience of "I was impressed by" makes this particular group of soldiers seem more specific and therefore deserving of the definite article. The answer to "Which soldiers?" is likely to be "The ones I met". On the other hand, the answer to "Wh
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GPYI would say that "I was impressed by the courage of soldiers" is less usual or expected rather than definitely incorrect. I think that the direct personal experience of "I was impressed by" makes this particular group of soldiers seem more specific and therefore deserving of the definite article. The answer to "Which soldiers?" is likely to be "The ones I met". On the
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I agree with GPY, for what it's worth. It's not that ". . . courage of soldiers" is incorrect . . . it's just that ". . . of the soldiers" is better (more natural) for that particular context and sentence.
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