Thread: The definite article is seemingly indefinite...
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Old 04-Apr-2008, 09:51
David L. David L. is offline
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Default Re: The definite article is seemingly indefinite...
Dogs are friendly.
The dogs are friendly.

Both are grammatically correct but with possibly very different meanings!
Because something is grammatically correct does not automatically guarantee that it conveys the meaning intended!

Dogs, as a rule, may be friendly creatures. But when I see a notice on a gate saying 'Beware. Vicious Dogs Roam This Yard and Liable to Maul', then some sweeping generalization about the nature of dogs, as reassurance, ain't going to get me to budge inside. If the owner called out, "The dogs are friendly. That's just to scare off burglars" then the definite article is very meaningful. He means these specific dogs are friendly
Last edited by David L.; 04-Apr-2008 at 09:56.
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