(the) crowds

[birgit33]

"Maybe they are afraid of (the) crowds and all the noise." Can one both say "the crowds" as well as "crowds" in this sentence ?

 

[bhaisahab]

"Maybe they are afraid of (the) crowds and all the noise." Can one both say "the crowds" as well as "crowds" in this sentence ?

Yes, but it would have a different meaning. "Maybe they are afraid of crowds..." means crowds in general. "the crowds" means particular crowds that we are talking about at the moment.

 

[birgit33]

Yes, but it would have a different meaning. "Maybe they are afraid of crowds..." means crowds in general. "the crowds" means particular crowds that we are talking about at the moment.

Would it be correct to say "Maybe they are afraid of all crowds and all noise." So no article before "noise", because one wants to mention noise in general ?

 

[bhaisahab]

Would it be correct to say "Maybe they are afraid of all crowds and all noise." So no article before "noise", because one wants to mention noise in general ?

Yes, you could say that.