| When I say ''above definition'', then I am specifically referring to the only definition which lies above. Yes, the
should have to used if there were more than one definition. What do you
say? |
|
You are mistaken in your beliefs about the use of the
determiner
the.
the does not
create uniqueness;
the acknowledges uniqueness.
Suppose we had three definitions.
Definition 1: .....
Definition 2: .....
Definition 3: .....
Now, suppose we refer to
the above definition.
Which one of the three definitions above are we referring to?
It's impossible to say. So, you see, the use of
the does not create uniqueness.
Nevertheless, there is only one definition above which is between two
other definitions; that is, there is one definition which is "in the
middle" -- one middle definition. That's Definition 2.
Because Definition 2 is unique in this way, we
must acknowledge it by using
the when we refer to it, thus:
the middle definition above. By doing so, we
acknowledge the uniqueness of that second definition. It is incorrect not to acknowledge uniqueness, so it is incorrect to drop
the when the referent is unique.
So here are some ideas to remember: You don't (and can't) force uniqueness on a referent by adding
the. You can't
drop the just because the referent is unique. On the contrary, if the referent is unique, you must
add the (or another definite determiner such as
my,
his, etc.)
CJ