features v. the features

[hhtt21]

When I was installing a program, I encountered that: "Select the way you want features to be installed.". Why it is "features" but not "the features"?

 

[jutfrank]

Good question. I think in normal speech we would normally specify and say the features. Maybe we could understand this as a kind of shorthand typical of this kind of computing language.

Another interpretation is that it is referring to features in general. This could be the case if the sense is at a future point, if and when necessary. But since you were in the process of installing the features, then that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[GoesStation]

When I was installing a program, I encountered [STRIKE]that[/STRIKE] this: "Select the way you want features to be installed."

Don't add final punctuation after a quote which contains such a punctuation mark and ends the sentence in which it appears.

 

[hhtt21]

Don't add final punctuation after a quote which contains such a punctuation mark and ends the sentence in which it appears

I am perplexed in the case of that vs. this. As I learnt it becaue I referred to a past case I should have used that instead of this. Would you please explain?

 

[GoesStation]

When I was installing a program, I encountered [STRIKE]that[/STRIKE] this: "Select the way you want features to be installed."

I am perplexed in the case of that vs. this. As I learnt it becaue I referred to a past case I should have used that instead of this. Would you please explain?

"This" points to something nearby in time or space. In your post, it points to the quotation immediately after it.

After you read this [the sentence you're reading now], you might think "Huh! I didn't know that!" ["That" is the thing a little further away: the idea I explained in my first paragraph.]

 

[hhtt21]

Another interpretation is that it is referring to features in general. This could be the case if the sense is at a future point, if and when necessary. But since you were in the process of installing the features, then that doesn't seem to be the case.

Why cannot the be used in the future cases?

 

[jutfrank]

Why cannot the be used in the future cases?

It can. I meant that the omission of the before features would make the meaning non-specific (or 'general'). So I asked myself why the writer would want to do that. This omission would not make much sense when talking about the current installation process, so I imagined that it may be referring to a future installation process, where features are non-specified. Without the, the sense would be any features. With the, the sense is these specific features.

When giving instructions like this, it is normal to use the, because giving instructions requires lots of referring to items and the is the way to do this.

 

[hhtt21]

Being closely related, shall we evaluate this?

A question is asked, say about use of articles a and the. Which one is the proper answer about two case might be correct?

1) Either one is correct, depending on the context
2) Either one is correct, depending on context.

 

[hhtt21]

They are both correct. 2) uses 'context' in a generic or non-specific way.

But if the context hasn't introduced, should it be always context, not the context?

 

[jutfrank]

But if the context hasn't introduced, should it be always context, not the context?

No. (What do you mean by 'introduced'?)

The choice of whether or not to use the depends on whether you want to use context in a specific way. It's as simple as that.

 

[GoesStation]

But if the context hasn't been introduced, should it [STRIKE]be[/STRIKE] always be context, not the context?

.

 

[hhtt21]

No. (What do you mean by 'introduced'?)

The choice of whether or not to use the depends on whether you want to use context in a specific way. It's as simple as that.

In other words, if the questions is asked: "Select the way you want features to be installed." Which of the answers a or b would be proper?

Answer a) Either one is correct, depending on context.
Answer b) Either one is correct, depending on the context.

But there is no context, only the question exists.

 

[jutfrank]

In other words, if the questions is asked: "Select the way you want features to be installed." Which of the answers a or b would be proper?

Answer a) Either one is correct, depending on context.
Answer b) Either one is correct, depending on the context.

But there is no context, only the question exists.

I don't understand what you're asking.

 

[hhtt21]

I don't understand what you're asking.

Question: "Select the way you want features to be installed. Should it be features or the features? I don't determine it."

Answer a) "Either one is correct, depending on context."
Answer b) "Either one is correct, depending on the context."

Above is a situation I invented. A question is asked around the quotation marks. And there are two answers. The answers a and b only differ from each other with the. Which one is correct: a or b?. This example aims to demonstrate a use of article the. ( I hope this time I explained it properly)

 

[tedmc]

I would also say either one is correct, "context" to mean "in general" or "the context" to mean "the particular context on which the question is asked".

 

[jutfrank]

Answer b) is more appropriate here because you're referring to the specific context.

 

[hhtt21]

Answer b) is more appropriate here because you're referring to the specific context.

Then when referring to a specific context, the context doesn't have to necessarily be given.

 

[jutfrank]

Then when referring to a specific context, the context doesn't have to necessarily be given.

Given? I don't understand what you mean.

 

[hhtt21]

Given? I don't understand what you mean.

Look #15 again please. There is a demonstration which demonstrates a question and an answer. In the answer the person who answers the question mention about some context. But we don't see there any context. Is it okay now? Do you understand what I meant to say?