missing article?

[musicgold]

Hi All,

Does the following sentence needs 'the' before 'bear' ?

Now that equity and debt market conditions have moved into [ ] bear market territory,...

Thanks,

MG.

 

[Anglika]

In this context, no, I think you can safely leave it out.

 

[musicgold]

Thanks.
Could you please elaborate on this? I don't understand what the author is assuming here about 'bear market territory'. Does he think the reader knows about the territory?

Also for your info, this sentence is the only place in the essay where that phrase ( bear market territory) is used.

 

[David L.]

YES INDEED. It is assumed anyone reading a trade paper or magazine knows stock market lingo and 'speak', and about other money markets, such as this author refers to: "debt and equity market conditions".
The prices of stocks and shares rise and fall. When they fall (which encourages selling), it is a bear market. (the opposite is a bull or bullish market.)
Apparently, there is a downward movement in the debt and equity market, such that it is approaching becoming "a bear market" - it is entering bear market territory.

 

[musicgold]

Ok.
So using 'the' before 'bear market territory' will not change the meaning of the sentence.
Is that correct?

Thanks.

 

[Anglika]

It doesn't essentially change the meaning, but it is really not required since the statement is a general one.