 Mon Jun 26, 2006 13:29 pm "the instructions" vs. "instructions" |
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| Tom wrote: | Hi
I just used the sentence in a different thread,
1- We are awaiting instructions.
Should I have written the instructions? If the is not required, then why not--when the speaker and the listener both know which instructions?
Awaiting an answer or maybe the answer
Tom |
Awaiting instructions means awaiting some/your (any) instructions. We don't know exactly what instructions we will be given.
Now the use of the definite article implies that the instructions have already been mentioned or that we know what instructions to expect. |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2702
Location: Madrid, Spain
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