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Old 01-Feb-2007, 12:50
Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim is offline
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Default Re: Articles: Generic and Definite

Why do you think that in following plural nouns (as in your examples) makes them definite? In addition, generic nouns might be generic with the article in the singular / without the article in the plural depending on what they refert to. But let me first define what is generic and definite again so that everybody understands because I believe you still misunderstand and confuse the two:

Generic: unlimited they hold for all time or as long as entities exist: Leo is a lion. The Lion/lions is (are) ferocious beast(s): interpreted as: any lion or a set of lines but The doctor is kind is not possible generically so we have to use the plural: Doctors are kind. The lions are ferocious animals cannot be interpreted generically.
Definite: limited: Leo is angry

A lagging economy has weakened states in the country. Politics....States/ Politics are generic because they apply as long as those entities exist (all times). The same applies to others. There is no evidence that in following nouns makes generic nouns definite as you claim. It is not in but the of construction that sometimes makes a generic noun definite.

The following text might be of more help:
Rather than starting work with lessons and materials by explaining the differences between generic and specific nouns, I think we might more effectively start by focusing on different types of communication that require the use of generic or specific nouns.

1. Generic nouns are often used in generalizations and statements of theory and definitions of terminology.

2. Specific nouns are often used in examples and narratives (not just fiction but history and the use of historical examples in scientific text).

Last edited by Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim; 01-Feb-2007 at 14:07.
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