that/the? semantics

Question

What's the difference between saying, "I'll take the money" and "I'll take that money"?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

What's the difference between saying, "I'll take the money" and "I'll take that money"?

Here are a couple of basic comments.

"I'll take the money" You are referring to money that was previously mentioned.

"I'll take that money" You are indicating what money you are referring to. eg If there are several piles of money in the room, you might be pointing with your finger to one particular pile.

Best wishes. Cllive

CalifJim · Answer

Futurehuman11What's the difference between saying, "I'll take the money" and "I'll take that money"?

The difference is in what is implicitly excluded. If you take the money, you're not taking something else -- the other prizes offered, for example. But if you take that money, you're not taking some other money. In the first case you contrast money with something other than money. In the second case you contrast certain money with other money. In the first case it's a question of 'money or something else'; in the second, it's a question of 'money or money'.
-- Would you like this new car or the cash equivalent?
-- I'll take the money.

-- You have money in your savings account and you have money in stocks. Will you use the savings to buy the house?
-- Yes. I'll use that money. I want to keep the stocks.

CJ

that/the? semantics

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