Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nawee]

Hello again,

Should there be "the" in this sentence and should I use the singular or the plural form of "river"?

Factories release toxic water into (the) river(s).

Thanks,

Nawee

[Mister Micawber]

.
Factories release toxic water into river. -- NO
Factories release toxic water into rivers. -- Yes, as a general statement about evil factories in the world.
Factories release toxic water into the river. -- Yes, if it refers to a specific or previously mentioned river.
Factories release toxic water into the rivers. -- Yes, if it refers to specific or previously mentioned rivers.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
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Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's