The usage of the

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Hey there,

The following sentence I quoted is from Unite 75, English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy.

"The giraffe is the tallest of all animals. ....
In these example, the... does not mean one particular thing. the giraffe= one particular type of animal, not one particular giraffe.

What does it mean? I dont have a clue at all, specially when the author says one particular type of animal, not one particular giraffe.

Cheers
Ron

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

ronctlsmileHey there, The following sentence I quoted is from Unite 75, English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy."The giraffe is the tallest of all animals. ..In these example, the... does not mean one particular thing. the giraffe= one particular type of animal, not one particular giraffe. What does it mean? I dont have a clue at all, specially when the author says one particular type of animal, not one particular giraffe. Cheers Ron

Hi,

This is a generic reference, when a noun, here 'the giraffe', refers to a whole group of specific animals. 'The giraffe' in the "The giraffe is the tallest of all animals." represent one of the species of animals (the animal called 'giraffe').

Ronctlsmile · Answer

First of all, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I still don't understand what is a generic reference . Please read the following two examples:

a.) I love dogs-- it's quite common for the English saying this expression because it refers my "general" interest in dogs.

b.) I love the dog- this expression may not be correct because the native English will think I am referring to "the dog" that I have met before but not a whole group of specific animals.

In my conclusion can I say I love dogs=I love the dog, which the dog refers to a whole group of specific animals, like dogs in general?

Cheers
Ron

Anonymous · Answer

ronctlsmileFirst of all, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I still don't understand what is a generic reference . Please read the following two examples:a.) I love dogs-- it's quite common for the English saying this expression because it refers my "general" interest in dogs.b.) I love the dog- this expression may not be correct because the native English will think I am referring to "the dog" that I have met before but not a whole group of specific animals. In my conclusion can I say I love dogs=I love the dog, which the dog refers to a whole group of specific animals, like dogs in general?CheersRon

When you are referring to a whole group, class, species then you are using generic reference, otherwise you use specific reference where you refer to a particular thing, person or to people.

The generic reference must be used in the right context. I love the dog is not a generic usage.

The dog is the best friend of the man. (Generic usage, the dog as a species.)

The dog is dangerous. (Specific usage, a particular dog is dangerous.)

The usage of the

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