<The noun phrase> is referring to...

[moseen]

Hello everyone!
In the paragraph below, what does "the noun phrase" referring to? Why does it have "the"? Can't we write it as "a noun phrase"? is it generic or not?
Here’s a simple test you can use to identify generic references while you’re reading. To use this test, substitute “all [plural noun] everywhere” for the noun phrase. If the statement is still true, it’s probably a generic reference.

Reference: Articles - The Writing Center.

 

[GoesStation]

If you follow the instructions, every time you encounter a noun phrase, you will replace it. You will replace a specific noun phrase: the noun phrase that you encountered. It would not be possible to use the indefinite article there.

Always mark text that you're quoting so the reader can distinguish it from your own words. When it's a long excerpt, set it in italics.

 

[moseen]

If you follow the instructions, every time you encounter a noun phrase, you will replace it. You will replace a specific noun phrase: the noun phrase that you encountered. It would not be possible to use the indefinite article there.

Always mark text that you're quoting so the reader can distinguish it from your own words. When it's a long excerpt, set it in italics.

Excuse me. I forgot that mark text that I was quoting. I have edited it.

 

[GoesStation]

You marked the phrase the noun phrase. You didn't have to do that because you had specified it in your question. What you need to do is to mark the entire quotation. Then, when a reader sees the marked part, they'll have a clear sign that it's quoted text rather than just part of your question.

I suggest you mark it by setting in italics, not bold. You can also choose a distinctive color for it, but bear in mind that colorblindness is extremely common and some readers may not be able to see the color you choose for this.

 

[moseen]

You marked the phrase the noun phrase. You didn't have to do that because you had specified it in your question. What you need to do is to mark the entire quotation. Then, when a reader sees the marked part, they'll have a clear sign that it's quoted text rather than just part of your question.

I suggest you mark it by setting in italics, not bold. You can also choose a distinctive color for it, but bear in mind that colorblindness is extremely common and some readers may not be able to see the color you choose for this.

I have done. Is it OK?

 

[GoesStation]

I have done what you suggested. Is it OK?

Yes, that's exactly what I had in mind. You can mark shorter quotations by surrounding them with quotation marks. This becomes confusing with longer quotes that contain quotation marks of their own, though there is a way to handle that case.