I am still confused about the difference between definite plural nouns with “in” and generic plural nouns with “in”. I know that the generic plural noun is used to refer to a group or all members of a class. I also know that indefinite nouns are different from generic nouns since the second mention of a generic noun does not need “the”.
However, I found “A” and “B” below in my reading. I think that since “in” makes the plural nouns in “A” and “B” definite, I am confused why “the” was not used before the plural nouns. Please correct me with how I have felt the statements in “A” and “B” should be stated as set out in 1-4 under “A” and 1-2 under “B”, which represent my interpretations.
I am also confused about “C” and “D”. My interpretations are in 1-2 under “C” and 1-3 under “D”
A. Governors throughout country Y talked to their constituents in 2004 about how a lagging economy had weakened states in the country.
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Governors in country Y talked to their constituents in 2004 about how a lagging economy had weakened states in the country.
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The governors in country Y talked to their constituents in 2004 about how a lagging economy had weakened the states in the country.
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All governors in country Y talked to their constituents in 2004 about how a lagging economy had weakened all states in the country.
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All the governors in country Y talked to their constituents in 2004 about how a lagging economy had weakened all the states in the nation.
B. Politics has become a productive process of decision making in country Y. In 2004 in particular, politics in country Y was shaped by activists.
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Politics has become a process of decision making in country Y. In 2004, the politics in country Y was shaped by activists.
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Politics has become a process of decision making in country Y. In 2004, the pattern of politics in country Y was shaped by activists.
C. The right to privacy is considered important in country Y. This right is specifically supported by stringent conditions in Article B of Country Y’s Constitution and national legislative intervention in the Paul case of 2004.
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The right to privacy is considered important in country Y. This right is specifically supported by the stringent conditions in Article B of Country Y’s Constitution and the national legislative intervention in the Paul case of 2004.
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The right to privacy is considered important in country Y. This right is specifically supported by some/most of the stringent conditions in Article B of Country Y’s Constitution and the national legislative intervention in the Paul case of 2004.
D. 140 million citizens live in a municipality in country Y.
Note: This is a generic statement; country Y has more than one municipality.
- 140 million citizens each live in a municipality in country Y.
- All municipalities in country Y are homes to 140 million citizens.
- All municipalities in country Y are a home to 140 million citizens.
Please correct me.