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12-Oct-2006, 14:24
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| |  The Russian or the Russians??
Hi,
Can I write "the Russians" when I use the plural, or should I write "the Russians" in any case ? |
12-Oct-2006, 16:23
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| |  Re: The Russian or the Russians??
Quote:
Originally Posted by ieasy  Hi,
Can I write "the Russians" when I use the plural, or should I write "the Russians" in any case ? | It's best to use "the Russians" when you're talking about the people as a whole . There are a few (more or less obscure) contexts where the singular works, but they're not really worth spending time on (I'd only confuse the issue  ).
b
ps - I'm thinking about singular as against plural. Naturally "a Russian" is fine in many contexts. |
12-Oct-2006, 18:50
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| | Re: The Russian or the Russians??
Hi, Ieasy,
The nationalities with endings -sh, -ch, -ese do not take -s:
the French = French people
the Welsh
the Japanese
The others do:
(the) Russians, Americans Germans etc.
Cheers |
12-Oct-2006, 19:58
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| | Re: The Russian or the Russians??
Quote:
Originally Posted by ieasy Hi,
Can I write "the Russians" when I use the plural, or should I write "the Russians" in any case ? | When one is referring to Russian people as a whole, one would not usually use an article. However, if you are referring to a specific group of Russians, the article is required.
Russians tend to be hard-working people.
Russians enjoy drinking vodka.
During the peace talks, the Russians were the first to walk out.
The Russians beat the Norwegians in the final hockey match.
Last edited by MikeNewYork; 13-Oct-2006 at 17:45.
|
13-Oct-2006, 06:20
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| | Re: The Russian or the Russians??
Hi,
Very well explained, Mike.  I'll only add a bit to make it clearer. When you mean a country as a political entity, use the: The ****ans want to rule the world. The ****ans refuse to yield to the pressure.
When you're talking abt some typical traits, no article: Ukrainians are believed to be boastful. Germans are hard-working and frugal.
Rgs |
13-Oct-2006, 17:46
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| | Re: The Russian or the Russians??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Humble Hi,
Very well explained, Mike. I'll only add a bit to make it clearer. When you mean a country as a political entity, use the: The ****ans want to rule the world. The ****ans refuse to yield to the pressure.
When you're talking abt some typical traits, no article: Ukrainians are believed to be boastful. Germans are hard-working and frugal.
Rgs | Yes, good addition.  |
15-Oct-2006, 00:02
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| | Re: The Russian or the Russians??
šThank you all |
15-Oct-2006, 20:22
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| | Re: The Russian or the Russians??
Quote:
Originally Posted by ieasy šThank you all | You're welcome. | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
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