Contraposition Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Article problem (the)
How solitary sits the city,
once filled with people.
She who was great among the nations
is now like a widow.
Once a princess among the provinces,
now a toiling slave.
(NABRE, lamentations 1.1)
Judah has gone into exile,
after oppression and harsh labor;
She dwells among the nations,
yet finds no rest:
All her pursuers overtake her
in the narrow straits.
(NABRE, lamentations 1.3)
question : I wonder why nations, provinces, nations, and narrow straits have 'the'. I think the four articles are unnecessary.
once filled with people.
She who was great among the nations
is now like a widow.
Once a princess among the provinces,
now a toiling slave.
(NABRE, lamentations 1.1)
Judah has gone into exile,
after oppression and harsh labor;
She dwells among the nations,
yet finds no rest:
All her pursuers overtake her
in the narrow straits.
(NABRE, lamentations 1.3)
question : I wonder why nations, provinces, nations, and narrow straits have 'the'. I think the four articles are unnecessary.
Top answer
Hi, The writer is thinking of specific nations, provinces and narrow straits. Let me add that this kind of use of 'the' adds an old-fashioned and poetic tone to the writing. Clive
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Hi,
The writer is thinking of specific nations, provinces and narrow straits.
Let me add that this kind of use of 'the' adds an old-fashioned and poetic tone to the writing.
Clive
The writer is thinking of specific nations, provinces and narrow straits.
Let me add that this kind of use of 'the' adds an old-fashioned and poetic tone to the writing.
Clive
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