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DorisPao Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
The stain / stains
Hello native English speakers!
1. These stains are not the stains you get from ketchup.
2. These stains are not stains you get from ketchup.
What is the main subtlety of having the definite article before "stains" in the above examples? To me "the stains" is just more specific, but either sentence can be used without any significant change in the meaning. But I would like to check with the native speakers here.
Thank you!
1. These stains are not the stains you get from ketchup.
2. These stains are not stains you get from ketchup.
What is the main subtlety of having the definite article before "stains" in the above examples? To me "the stains" is just more specific, but either sentence can be used without any significant change in the meaning. But I would like to check with the native speakers here.
Thank you!
Top answer
This kind of question has a fascination for me. It conjures up all kinds of references. The Fonz, The Saint, The Law, The wife.
- This kind of question has a fascination for me.
- It conjures up all kinds of references.
- The Fonz, The Saint, The Law, The wife.
- They call me Mister Tibbs!
- Mr.
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6 Answers
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This kind of question has a fascination for me. It conjures up all kinds of references. The Fonz, The Saint, The Law, The wife. They call me Mister Tibbs! Mr. Lucky, Mister Show Biz.
Stains are a negative presence and we’re accustomed to them. Some have names, like sweat stains; and others are anonymous other than having nicknames like ‘removable’ and ‘permanent’. I think that recognizin
Stains are a negative presence and we’re accustomed to them. Some have names, like sweat stains; and others are anonymous other than having nicknames like ‘removable’ and ‘permanent’. I think that recognizin
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"The" is required in this context because it refers to a specific type of "stain" - Ketchup.
Also stylistically speaking, repeating the same noun is not very attractive to the ear.
I would say " These are not the kind of stains you'd get from Ketchup".
Also stylistically speaking, repeating the same noun is not very attractive to the ear.
I would say " These are not the kind of stains you'd get from Ketchup".
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DorisPaoTo me "the stains" is just more specific, but either sentence can be used without any significant change in the meaning.I agree. The change is not significant. The presence of a defining relative clause [(that) you get from ketchup] argues for the presence of "the", the definite article. Maybe that's why the version with "the"
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US English if very article-heavy, so in a situation like this, the article is always used. Sentence 2 would not be used in (US) English.
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AnonymousUS English if very article-heavy ...Please provide evidence for your claims.
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