Proofreading questions

[Tedwonny]

I was given two sentences to proofread. Could you please have a look if my corrections and explanations are right.

1) Stethoscopes are used by a doctor. I changed a to 'the' and explained 'the doctor' refers to doctors in general/
2) When she was a small baby, she had colic. Delete 'small' as babies are small and young in nature.

Thanks a lot

 

[MikeNewYork]

Is this a homework assignment?

 

[Tedwonny]

Not at all and I'm no longer a student.
I came across this in an exercise book but it hasn't got the answer keys.
Much obliged if you all can tell me if I have made the correct changes. Thanks a lot

 

[emsr2d2]

To refer to the profession generally, use the plural with no article: Stethoscopes are used by doctors.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

For 2), although you are right that babies are, as a rule, small in size, "small baby" can be used to refer to the earliest stages of infancy.

 

[Tedwonny]

So, what's wrong with (2) then, may I ask?
Original sentence: When she was a small baby, she had colic.

May I also ask if 'the doctor' is absolutely wrong? 'a doctor' wouldn't make sense as we are referring to a fact which applies to all doctors. Aside from using the plural form, can 'the doctor' be a possible correction for the sentence as well?

Thanks a lot again

 

[bhaisahab]

(1) is possible with "the" but more natural with emsr2d2's "doctors". The original of (2) is fine as it is.

 

[emsr2d2]

May I also ask if 'the doctor' is absolutely wrong? 'a doctor' wouldn't make sense as we are referring to a fact which applies to all doctors. Aside from using the plural form, can 'the doctor' be a possible correction for the sentence as well?

I would accept:

Doctors use stethoscopes.
A doctor uses a stethoscope.
Stethoscopes are used by doctors.
Doctors use a stethoscope. (My least favourite).

 

[MikeNewYork]

I think you meant to pluralize "stethoscope" in the first one.

 

[emsr2d2]

I just corrected it. Thanks.