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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

use of optional word

Is the article (the) optional or required?

After the weaning of (the) offspring, some endothelial cells die.
  

Top answer

Anonymous Is the article (the) optional or required? It depends on whether the offspring have already been mentioned. Or 'the' could just be wrong there.

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous Is the article (the) optional or required?
  • It depends on whether the offspring have already been mentioned.
  • Or 'the' could just be wrong there.
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25 Answers
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AnonymousIs the article (the) optional or required?
It depends on whether the offspring have already been mentioned. Or 'the' could just be wrong there.
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Mister Micawber AnonymousIs the article (the) optional or required?It depends on whether the offspring have already been mentioned. Or 'the' could just be wrong there.
It is mentioned in general, but the sentence starts as shown above. Should it be without the article? Is it correct without the article?
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Mister Micawber AnonymousIs the article (the) optional or required?It depends on whether the offspring have already been mentioned. Or 'the' could just be wrong there.
Or is it better just to write: After weaning the offspring,....
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AnonymousIt is mentioned in general, but the sentence starts as shown above. Should it be without the article? Is it correct without the article?
In all honesty, I would have to see the preceding paragraph in order to give you a judicious answer.
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Mister MicawberIn all honesty, I would have to see the preceding paragraph in order to give you a judicious answer.
Thanks for your honesty. The problem is that it is presented as a single sentence on a power point slide on the topic of endothelial cells and not on the topic of offspring, so that is why I asked you. What do you think?
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Anonymous it is presented as a single sentence on a power point slide
Then omit both 'the's.
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Mister MicawberThen omit both 'the's.
So like this you mean: After weaning of offspring, some endothelial cells die.

Would this work as well: After weaning 'the' offspring, some endothelial cells die.
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AnonymousSo like this you mean: After weaning of offspring, some endothelial cells die.
Yes.
AnonymousWould this work as well: After weaning 'the' offspring, some endothelial cells die.
No, not as well. It's a PP presentation.
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Mister MicawberNo, not as well. It's a PP presentation.
Got it. Would it be good in general speaking or writing? Would it be good when it is written after a preceding sentence on offspring?

Could you give me an example where it can be good to use,
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I think it is correct to use the THE article, but, like Mister mentions if you already mentioned earlier (in case) you dont need to use the THE article again.
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