In the summer vs. in autumn

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I came across such a sentence:

If I were the writer, I would be so much likely to write it as: In the summer, …in the autumn… However, after reading it, I have a feeling that “in autumn” is much better.

Is it because “In the summer” = in the season of summer wherein “roses”…, while “in autumn” = in autumn times wherein no particular “players” on the stage, or simply the asymmetricity is better here?

Thank you!

2

Hi Haihao,

This is the old question about whether you wish to emphasize the noun (in this case the season) or not. I see the difference as follows:

In the winter the birds fly south. This to me in a sense personalises the season, suggesting the season of winter which we all know.

In winter the birds fly south. This to me suggests that this is simply a statement of fact.

Alan

3

Hi Alan,

It was about emphasis! I like this so much: “This to me in a sense personalises the season.” Thank you so much!

Haihao

4

english-test.net/forum/ftopic21762.html
I hope this helps.

Wrong: in summer of 2004
Correct: in the summer of 2004

5

Oh, it’s a great help to me. The linkage of “the” to a succeeding of-phrase allows my nearsighted eye to see Alan’s birds fly south in a clearer and more convinced manner.