the demons

[navi tasan]

1) The warrior claimed he had killed the dragon with help from sorcerers.
2) The warrior claimed he had killed the dragon with help from the sorcerers.

3) The man claimed that he communicated with the dead through demons.
4) The man claimed that he communicated with the dead through the demons.

Does the presence of 'the' change anything in these cases?

I think 'the' implies that 'all of the sorcerers/demons' were involved. I think without it, the implication is that only some of them were involved.

Gratefully,
Navi

Happy New Year.

 

[teechar]

The difference is that "the demons/sorcerers" indicates particular, known or previously mentioned demons/sorcerers. Without "the", the reference is to some (unknown, non-particular) ones.

 

[emsr2d2]

Generally, whenever there's a countable noun without an article in front of it, you can insert (mentally) "some".

I have killed the dragons. (I have killed specific, previously mentioned dragons.)
I have killed dragons. (I have killed some dragons.)

Don't worry, we have eggs. (We have some eggs.)
I'm going to buy apples. (I'm going to buy some apples.)

 

[teechar]

Generally, whenever there's a countable noun without an article in front of it, you can insert (mentally) "some".

The bureau will provide (some) information to the visitors. [uncountable noun]
Our local library is open on Sundays. [We cannot use "some" before this countable noun which does not have an article in front of it]