The Definite Article



The most ordinary word that my random dictionary searches have given up do far: the most frequently used word in the whole of the English language. Used to add specifics to a noun, though some explanations say it is used to restrict a noun's meaning: both views are valid. The result is the same: it points to a particular, a definite, hence the title. It is something I like to look out for whilst editing (and I self-edit so if you find numerous examples of a misplaced 'the' please be kind) because whilst attempting to type at the speed of thought one does chuck out rough words and clogged up phrases and whether a thing is any thing or that specific thing and why care about it is easily overlooked. It makes a difference though.
'The birds in the hedge' specific yet bland
'Birds in a hedge' could be any place with birds and at least one hedge, allows space for reader to relate to own experience
'Birds in this hedge' specific and more lyrical
'These birds in a hedge' specific birds and more quirky, almost the language of setting up a joke
So while I like to present sensations of immediacy in my writing, here is revealed the background scene of deliberation. And outside these walls birds, unseen, sing from trees, from hedges, from rooftops. (One use of definite article only here, 'the background' to emphasise that this is my deliberation, though doubtless other writers will relate to this process. I chose to use birds in hedges for examples because though I am working indoors I have open windows, and I eat most of my meals outside watching hedge sparrows being impossibly busy.)

Couldn't find the picture of birds in hedge I was looking for-
 opted for a Little Grandson with Dog!

Comments

Suze said…
I like, very much, the idea of jokes having their own structure.
23 April 2014 at 17:21
Jo said…
Correct use and placement of words is so important.
23 April 2014 at 22:02
Lisa Southard said…
Just googled 'joke structure' as have vague memory of once upon a time reading a whole book about comedic formatting. To be honest, was expecting a page of questionable architecture and thinking I should rephrase the search- but then lots of links to how to structure and analyse jokes popped up- and this being an unexpected success, it made me laugh. Win win! :-)
Correct use is important for getting things correct Jo, I agree- although incorrect use can be highly entertaining and one should never be afraid to play :-)
23 April 2014 at 23:56
Wendy said…
I pay attention to word placement in my own writing, but I don't think I could ever write about it or explain it the way you have.
Visiting from A to Z ~
Wendy at Jollett Etc.
24 April 2014 at 13:00
Lisa Southard said…
Thanks for popping in again, Wendy. I read grammar books... and sometimes remember stuff :-)
25 April 2014 at 22:09
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