Why THE here?

Question

Hello, could you please explain why we need the definite article in the following statement:

Paper books will soon disappear as it is easier and cheaper for the publishers to sell a computer version.

Cannot it be zero article?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousCannot it be zero article?

It can certainly be a zero article. The meaning is the same either way.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, but why is it there? Is there any difference in meaning?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIs there any difference in meaning?

I think I wrote: The meaning is the same either way.

So no, there isn't any difference in meaning.

Anonymouswhy is it there?

It seems to me that that usage is a lot like this:

The buses always run on time in this town.
=
Buses always run on time in this town.

There is enough information in the statement to understand that "the buses" means the buses specific to this town. On the other hand, "buses" also means the buses specific to this town because the statement includes "in this town". So sometimes "the" signals information that is already present in another way in the same statement. That means that sometimes "the" isn't really needed, but it's all right to use it anyway because it doesn't actually contradict anything in the rest of the sentence.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

This is a situation where you can either have the article or leave it out, and the meaning is the same.  As for why they chose to put the article in here, rather than leave it out, it's probably for rhythm and euphony.  Without the article, there is a kind of "stop" or "drop" between the words "for" and "publishers, that is unpleasant to the reader.  The problem seems to be the "f" in the word "for," followed by the "p" in "publishers."  This is difficult to pronounce, as "f" requires an expiration of breath, while "p" requires a kind of "swallowing" of the breath, which gives a kind of "jerk" in the rhythm of the sentence there.  By putting the "the" in, you create a kind of bridge or transition between the words "for" and "publishers" which smoothes out the rhythm of the sentence.

Why THE here?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions