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Ant_222 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Why definite article?
Hello all,
The following is a sentence from a review:
"The Lord of the Rings is timeless because it's the product of a truly top-shelf mind."
I don't understand why the author has chosen the definite article to modify "product" with. Did they mean that although the book is one of Tolkien's creations, it is the most important and influential one, whence "the product"?
Thanks in advance,
Anton
The following is a sentence from a review:
"The Lord of the Rings is timeless because it's the product of a truly top-shelf mind."
I don't understand why the author has chosen the definite article to modify "product" with. Did they mean that although the book is one of Tolkien's creations, it is the most important and influential one, whence "the product"?
Thanks in advance,
Anton
Top answer
> it is the most important and influential one, whence "the product"? e. one of many.
- > it is the most important and influential one, whence "the product"?
- e.
- one of many.
- This is more specific.
- Not necessarily the most important and influential one, that is not in the text, but probably an important one, an unique one.
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8 Answers
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> it is the most important and influential one, whence "the product"?
A product would be a bit too indiffent, i.e. one of many. This is more specific. Not necessarily the most important and influential one, that is not in the text, but probably an important one, an unique one.
It just shows the mental focus of the writer about a specific/unique thing
A product would be a bit too indiffent, i.e. one of many. This is more specific. Not necessarily the most important and influential one, that is not in the text, but probably an important one, an unique one.
It just shows the mental focus of the writer about a specific/unique thing
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Thanks!
I belive "the" is used in phrases like "You are the victim of..." for exactly the same reason... That's interesting, I have never seen this mentioned in a grammar book.
"This is a review of a great book"
"This is the procuct of a bright mind"
-- absolutely identical structure, but different articles.
I belive "the" is used in phrases like "You are the victim of..." for exactly the same reason... That's interesting, I have never seen this mentioned in a grammar book.
"This is a review of a great book"
"This is the procuct of a bright mind"
-- absolutely identical structure, but different articles.
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Specificity for "the" is in all grammar books. How you see it, is another matter.
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Hi Marius
You must be joking. Any word which begins with a 'you' sound should be used with article 'a'. You should know Google can give you examples of wrong usages.
You must be joking. Any word which begins with a 'you' sound should be used with article 'a'. You should know Google can give you examples of wrong usages.
Marius Hancu
8,710 for " "
275,000 for "a
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I told you already you're right. To me, the discrepancy in those stats is quite indicative of that.
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My apologies.
The first word I saw when you responded to my post is 'right'. I misinterpreted it as you meant you were right.
The first word I saw when you responded to my post is 'right'. I misinterpreted it as you meant you were right.
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