Use of the definite article in specific case

Question

Hi. Is this use of the definite article correct? I think in the first example sentence the phrase "abundant life" is specified by what I think is the flow of the sentence or what I think I could call, "a context." But in the second example sentence no specificity of such nature exists; therefore we don't need to put the definite article "the" before the phrase "abundant life." Am I correct?

1) It always makes me wonder why it seems to me that some people are not experiencing the fulfilling life? 2) To me, to experience abundant life, a person should believe in God and reflect on and live the life of His word.

84HGabor · Accepted Answer

To me it seems correct!

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much. I should make some corrections, though. In example sentence 1, the word should be "abundant" instead of "fulfulling," and should not end with a question mark (but should end with a period).

I wrote:

1) It always makes me wonder why it seems to me that some people are not experiencing the fulfilling life?

Clive · Answer

Hi,
I'd like to comment on this.
1) It always makes me wonder why it seems to me that some people are not experiencing the fulfilling life?
The definite article makes it sound like you've already mentioned this kind of life, or that you expect me to know what it means. If that's not the case, say 'a fulfiling life'.

Consder simpler examples.
eg You walk into a room and say to me, 'I bought the red chair'. I'd say 'What red chair are you talking about?'

eg You walk into a room and say to me, 'I bought a red chair'. I'd say 'Oh, that sounds nice'.

Clive

Use of the definite article in specific case

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