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Should I use a definite article or a possessive article?



 
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Meaning of "to say nothing of us" | 'Act' (adverb+adjective)
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Should I use a definite article or a possessive article? #1 (permalink) Wed Jun 28, 2006 19:31 pm   Should I use a definite article or a possessive article?
 

Hi! How do you feel? :lol:

My question:

Should I use a definite article or a possessive
in the following sentence?

Imagine someone, for instance, steals people
every day.

E.X. He laughs at HIS/THE victims after
stealing all their money.

They are his victims, but not really his victims, right? That?s why I hesitate. It?s not as when for instance, we talk about our own dog:

It?s MY dog.

Thanks a lot!

Jes?s
Jesus1
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 192

Should I use a definite article or a possessive article? #2 (permalink) Thu Jun 29, 2006 19:12 pm   Should I use a definite article or a possessive article?
 

He laughs at HIS/THE victims after
stealing all their money.


If you use the definite article, we are not sure if they have been victims of something/someone else before being stolen.

Now, using the possessive adjective defines that: we know they are his victims and what he did to them. Mind you, he could also have done something else to them before stealing their money and laughing at them!
Conchita
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Joined: 26 Dec 2005
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Location: Madrid, Spain

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