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Kook j Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
What's this definite article?
Hi.
In my scientific dictionary I've found a sentence whose usage of a definite article sounds little strange to me.
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Carnivora
An order of mainly flesh-eating mammals that includes the dogs, wolves, bears, weasels and cats.
I think a definite article was used here because everybody knows what dogs, wolves, bears, and cats are. It shows the familiar examples of carnivora.
Please check my interpretation above.
Thank you very much in advance.
In my scientific dictionary I've found a sentence whose usage of a definite article sounds little strange to me.
---------------------------------------------------------
Carnivora
An order of mainly flesh-eating mammals that includes the dogs, wolves, bears, weasels and cats.
I think a definite article was used here because everybody knows what dogs, wolves, bears, and cats are. It shows the familiar examples of carnivora.
Please check my interpretation above.
Thank you very much in advance.
Top answer
That usage of the definite article is called 'generic usage'. 'the dogs' then means something like 'the dogs taken as a whole group'. Stated differently, 'the dogs' in this context means "all of those species which can be grouped together under the category of 'dog' " This would include the wild dogs of Africa and the dingos of Australia as well as all domesticated dogs.
- That usage of the definite article is called 'generic usage'.
- 'the dogs' then means something like 'the dogs taken as a whole group'.
- Stated differently, 'the dogs' in this context means "all of those species which can be grouped together under the category of 'dog' " This would include the wild dogs of Africa and the dingos of Australia as well as all domesticated dogs.
- Our familiarity with those species has nothing to do with it.
- CJ
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4 Answers
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That usage of the definite article is called 'generic usage'.
'the dogs' then means something like 'the dogs taken as a whole group'.
Stated differently, 'the dogs' in this context means "all of those species which can be grouped together under the category of 'dog' " This would include the wild dogs of Africa and the dingos of Australia as well as all domesticated dogs.
O
'the dogs' then means something like 'the dogs taken as a whole group'.
Stated differently, 'the dogs' in this context means "all of those species which can be grouped together under the category of 'dog' " This would include the wild dogs of Africa and the dingos of Australia as well as all domesticated dogs.
O
00
Thank you very much.
How about other animals? Doesn't the definite article here modify wolves, bears, weasels and cats?
How about other animals? Doesn't the definite article here modify wolves, bears, weasels and cats?
00
Yes, and it has the same meaning as that which was already explained.
00
Thank you very much CSynder. Can I ask you one more question?
Is the sentence I posted above different from saying it without an article?
An order of mainly flesh-eating mammals that includes (the) dogs, wolves, bears, weasels and cats.
I must say that I first thought this definite article is a generic usage, too. But most grammar references say that the usag
Is the sentence I posted above different from saying it without an article?
An order of mainly flesh-eating mammals that includes (the) dogs, wolves, bears, weasels and cats.
I must say that I first thought this definite article is a generic usage, too. But most grammar references say that the usag
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