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I always thought that native speakers rarely misuse an article. But I was surprised to see the following article replete with articles errors.

The criminal liability of the corporation is determined by the estimate of its state of mind. For the purposes of this procedure, the corporation’s state of mind is a state of mind of its directors. Unlike the civil law, the criminal law considers the directors to be a personification of the corporation, not its agents.

The text is about corporations in general.

The edited version is

The criminal liability of a corporation is determined by an estimate of its state of mind. For the purposes of this procedure, a corporation’s state of mind is the state of mind of its directors. Unlike 0 civil law, 0 criminal law considers 0 directors to be the personification of a corporation, not its agents. (the edit was done by a grammarian)

Now we all could feel better about our own articles mistakes knowing they are more common among native speakers than usually thought. But we should also strive to limit the number of such mistakes to a minimum.

Nov 27 2009 11:00:36

Comments

I see nothing wrong with the original text, although sometimes a choice of articles is possible.

Nov 27 2009 11:12:44

Thanks for the quick response, MM. According to the grammarian who corrected the original text (a native speaker) the choice of the articles in the original was wrong because the text was about corporations in general so the author wasn't referring to any specific corporation.

The responsibility of the company reminds me of the responsibilty of the teacher but while the latter can normally be used in this way the former is odd sounding when referring to the class of 'corporations.

Nov 27 2009 11:32:05

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My opinion is unchanged.

Nov 27 2009 11:36:20

MM, You know I value your opinion so perhaps there's really nothing wrong with the original text.

Just for the sake of argument, do you think it's possible to imagine a thing (in this case a corporation) and then refer to that thing in the way it represents the class of that thing. That, I think, would explain the choice of the articles in the text.

Nov 27 2009 12:00:55

IvanhrAccording to the grammarian who corrected the original text (a native speaker)

So you're saying that the grammarian in question is a native speaker.

Of British or American English?

Nov 27 2009 12:07:41

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do you think it's possible to imagine a thing (in this case a corporation) and then refer to that thing in the way it represents the class of that thing.
Precisely, Ivan, and that is the way it is frequently done.

Nov 27 2009 12:12:09

Thanks, MM. That helped.

MrP

Her name is Sophie Johnson but I'm not sure about her ethnicity.

Nov 27 2009 12:39:42

The main objective of this task will be to assist with the introduction of the new computerised integrated accounting system that is in line with the new accounting manual which will enable the HOUSE to meet the audit and reporting requirement specified by the Auditor General and the reporting and loan disbursement requirements of the Bank.

what is wrong with this paragraph- Please, edit

Dec 03 2010 07:46:44

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I see nothing wrong with the original text, although sometimes a choice of articles is possible.
Thanks for the quick response, MM. According to the grammarian who corrected the original text (a native speaker) the choice of the articles in the original was wrong because the text was about corporations in general so the author wasn't referring to any specific corporation.

The responsibility of the company reminds me of the responsibilty of the teacher but while the latter can normally be used in this way the former is odd sounding when referring to the class of 'corporations.
MM, You know I value your opinion so perhaps there's really nothing wrong with the original text.

Just for the sake of argument, do you think it's possible to imagine a thing (in this case a corporation) and then refer to that thing in the way it represents the class of that thing. That, I think, would explain the choice of the articles in the text.
IvanhrAccording to the grammarian who corrected the original text (a native speaker)

So you're saying that the grammarian in question is a native speaker.

Of British or American English?
do you think it's possible to imagine a thing (in this case a corporation) and then refer to that thing in the way it represents the class of that thing.
Precisely, Ivan, and that is the way it is frequently done.
Thanks, MM. That helped.

MrP

Her name is Sophie Johnson but I'm not sure about her ethnicity.
The main objective of this task will be to assist with the introduction of the new computerised integrated accounting system that is in line with the new accounting manual which will enable the HOUSE to meet the audit and reporting requirement specified by the Auditor General and the reporting and loan disbursement requirements of the Bank.

what is wrong with this paragraph- Please, edit

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