the book/ a book/ books

[asako87]

Tom was in the classroom and Paul saw Tom. I have four sentences.

(1) Paul saw Tom reading a book in the classroom.
(2) Paul saw Tom reading the book in the classroom.
(3) Paul saw Tom reading the books in the classroom.
(4) Paul saw Tom reading books in the classroom.

I think it's possible to say like number (1), (2), and (3). How about number (4)(just plural without any aricles)? Is it possible? This is not homework.

 

[asako87]

Tom was in the classroom and Paul saw Tom. I have four sentences.

(1) Paul saw Tom reading a book in the classroom.
(2) Paul saw Tom reading the book in the classroom.
(3) Paul saw Tom reading the books in the classroom.
(4) Paul saw Tom reading books in the classroom.

I think it's possible to say like number (1), (2), and (3). How about number (4)(just plural without any aricles)? Is it possible? This is not homework.

Thank you for editing my post!! I tried to paragragh my writing but it didn't work.

 

[asako87]

All four sentences are possible in the right contexts.

Does your "the right contexts" include the scene, "Paul saw Tom and Tom was reading two books in the classroom."? I mean in this situation, is it natural to say "Paul saw Tom reading books(without article) in the classroom."?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think whether 'the' is needed depends on whether the books are mentioned previously.

 

[teechar]

Does your "the right contexts" include the scene, "Paul saw Tom and Tom was reading two books in the classroom."? I mean in this situation, is it natural to say "Paul saw Tom reading books(without article) in the classroom."?

I'm not sure I understand your question, but I hope that Matthew's post above answers it. If not, post below.

 

[asako87]

I'm not sure I understand your question, but I hope that Matthew's post above answers it. If not, post below.

What is "the right context" for the sentence number (4)? When Paul saw Tom reading some books in the classrom and the books were not mentioned previously, can I say "Paul saw Tom reading books in the classroom."?

 

[bubbha]

What is "the right context" for [strike]the[/strike] sentence number (4)? When Paul saw Tom reading some books in the classroom and the books were not mentioned previously, can I say "Paul saw Tom reading books in the classroom[strike].[/strike]"?

Yes.