Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[shvetsov2005]

Hello,
I have read the text:

Some people argue that the state does not have the right to make parents
immunise their children. However, I feel the question is not whether they should immunise but whether, as members of society, they have the right not to.
Preventative medicine has proved to be the most effective way of reducing
the incidence of fatal childhood diseases. As a result of the widespread
practice of immunising young children in our society, many lives have been
saved and the diseases have been reduced to almost zero.

Question:
Shouldn't there be the definite article before 'result'? 'As the result...'
I think we clearly defined the immunising process and now the article should be definine.


Alex.

[dragn]

No. Your logic is pretty sound, but that's just what we say. We normally say "as a result of something." I wish I could give you a nice, neat logical, convincing explanation, but I can't. Maybe someone else can, but the bottom line is that we normally use the indefinite article in this phrase.

Greg

[pugachevV]

Probably the writer uses the indefinite article because there are other results that are not mentioned, such as adverse reactions to some vaccines, which may result in sickness, permanent injury, or even, sometimes, death.

[dragn]

Sure, maybe...but even if that were not the case, I'd still say "as a result" in that sentence. Wouldn't you? That's what I'm trying to get at.

Greg

[lotus]

Hi shvetsov2005,

A "result" is definite by definition, unless otherwise specified. Therefore, the definite article "the" is not necessary, especially when you say "as a result of...", which is the effect of a cause.


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[dragn]