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 #2 (permalink) Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:09 am Strange use of "The": I need the money. |
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I need money = I need any amount of money from anywhere.
I need the money = I need the amount off money that this job provides. I'm specifying the amount. |
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Twatbeak
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Joined: 30 Nov 2007
Posts: 2
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| #3 (permalink) Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:31 am Strange use of "The": I need the money. |
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| twatbeak wrote: |
I need money = I need any amount of money from anywhere.
I need the money = I need the amount off money that this job provides. I'm specifying the amount. |
As Tom said, the amount was not specified, but the "the" was used.
That is a mystery to me, hope native English speakers tell us what's going on. |
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Lost_Soul
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Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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| #4 (permalink) Sun Dec 02, 2007 15:31 pm Strange use of "The": I need the money. |
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I would request some native speaker to shed some light on it.
Tom |
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Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006
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| #5 (permalink) Sun Dec 02, 2007 21:34 pm Strange use of "The": I need the money. |
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Hi,
The article problem is fast becoming a daily or weekly one. I have tried on several occasions to give an explanation for the use of idefinite/definite and zero article. The answer has always to be the same: 'the' is definite and specifies even if the thing specified is not always mentioned but is understood, 'a' is indefinite and doesn't specify and is really equivalent to 'one' (number) and no article suggests generality and is thereby often plural or abstract.
Alan
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English as a Second Language
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Alan
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| #6 (permalink) Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:29 am Strange use of "The": I need the money. |
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| Tom wrote: |
Hi
I am really puzzled by the use of "the" in the following sentences. Could you please shed some light on them?
| Quote: |
1- I need the money. (the speaker did not talk about any specific money--he spoke in general)
There must be something in the context which is specific, Tom. Otherwise 'the' was misused. However, no specific sum need be mentioned -- it could be a specificity such as this:
I need a job because I need the money it will provide.
I would need the specific context in order to tell you more about your sentence.
2- Smoking is injurious to the health (of the smoker). (Dictionary of English Usage)
3- Many people claim that a high-fibre diet is good for the health (of the person/people who has/have such a diet). |
Tom |
Hi Tom
With regard to the word "health", that word is only used without 'the' or a possessive adjective when it is used in the very broadest of terms. Normally "health" is thought of "my/your/his/her/our/their health" or "the health of the person specified or implied" (e.g. the health of a smoker).
. |
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Yankee
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Location: USA
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| #7 (permalink) Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:07 am Strange use of "The": I need the money. |
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| Hi lost_soul. You're correct to say that an amount is not stated in the phrase "I need the money". But whenever we use this phrase, we are thinking of, or referring to, a specific job, situation or amount. |
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Twatbeak
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| What does it mean? (once every few days and only during the daylight every...) | using remedy instead of fixing? |
