the + noun describing a person to imply a generic concept





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I am writing documentation for an online store platform. Can I use a construction like "the customer" in a generic sense, when it is supposed to mean "any customer of any online store that uses the platform". Or shall I start with "a customer" in every help article and then go with "the customer" only when the word appears for the second time?



Based on this article About the definite and zero article meaning generic concepts I guess the use of "the" in this sense is limited to species and inventions but I'd like to make sure nevertheless.






definite-articles generic







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    I am writing documentation for an online store platform. Can I use a construction like "the customer" in a generic sense, when it is supposed to mean "any customer of any online store that uses the platform". Or shall I start with "a customer" in every help article and then go with "the customer" only when the word appears for the second time?



    Based on this article About the definite and zero article meaning generic concepts I guess the use of "the" in this sense is limited to species and inventions but I'd like to make sure nevertheless.






    definite-articles generic







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    Hopohopo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      up vote
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      down vote

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      I am writing documentation for an online store platform. Can I use a construction like "the customer" in a generic sense, when it is supposed to mean "any customer of any online store that uses the platform". Or shall I start with "a customer" in every help article and then go with "the customer" only when the word appears for the second time?



      Based on this article About the definite and zero article meaning generic concepts I guess the use of "the" in this sense is limited to species and inventions but I'd like to make sure nevertheless.






      definite-articles generic







      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Hopohopo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      I am writing documentation for an online store platform. Can I use a construction like "the customer" in a generic sense, when it is supposed to mean "any customer of any online store that uses the platform". Or shall I start with "a customer" in every help article and then go with "the customer" only when the word appears for the second time?



      Based on this article About the definite and zero article meaning generic concepts I guess the use of "the" in this sense is limited to species and inventions but I'd like to make sure nevertheless.






      definite-articles generic




      definite-articles generic






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      asked 2 days ago









      Hopohopo

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          We would need the exact context to determine which identifier is correct, but generally, there is nothing wrong with using "the customer" in this sort of writing.



          In documentation for a website, "the customer" would be understood to mean the customer who is using this application.






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            We would need the exact context to determine which identifier is correct, but generally, there is nothing wrong with using "the customer" in this sort of writing.



            In documentation for a website, "the customer" would be understood to mean the customer who is using this application.






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              up vote
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              We would need the exact context to determine which identifier is correct, but generally, there is nothing wrong with using "the customer" in this sort of writing.



              In documentation for a website, "the customer" would be understood to mean the customer who is using this application.






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                up vote
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                We would need the exact context to determine which identifier is correct, but generally, there is nothing wrong with using "the customer" in this sort of writing.



                In documentation for a website, "the customer" would be understood to mean the customer who is using this application.






                share|improve this answer












                We would need the exact context to determine which identifier is correct, but generally, there is nothing wrong with using "the customer" in this sort of writing.



                In documentation for a website, "the customer" would be understood to mean the customer who is using this application.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 2 days ago









                Juhasz

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