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new swimsuit
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New2grammar  #535848  Wed, 02 Jul 08 02:50 PM
This new swimsuit gives [the] swimmers an unfair advantage.
Is the definite article optional?
Thanks
  
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optilang  #535859  Wed, 02 Jul 08 03:13 PM

New2grammar
This new swimsuit gives [the] swimmers an unfair advantage.
Is the definite article optional?
Thanks


The swimmers - if we know which swimmers it refers to

Swimmers - applies to all swimmers who wear the swimsuit.

This new swimsuit gives the swimmer an unfair advantage - this applies to all swimmers who wear the swimsuit.
  
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Clive  #535860  Wed, 02 Jul 08 03:15 PM
Hi,
This new swimsuit gives [the] swimmers an unfair advantage.
Is the definite article optional?
Yes. Omitting it makes the statement sound more general.
Clive
  
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New2grammar  #535862  Wed, 02 Jul 08 03:15 PM
optilang
this applies to all swimmers who wear the swimsuit


That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming.
  
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