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
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
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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
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
61
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Hopohopo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
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
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
61
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
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
61
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.
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
61
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.
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
61
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.
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
61
asked 2 days ago
Hopohopo
61
61
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.
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.
Hopohopo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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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.
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
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.
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
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.
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
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.
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
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.
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
answered 2 days ago
Juhasz
2293
2293
add a comment |
add a comment |
Hopohopo is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hopohopo is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hopohopo is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Hopohopo is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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