Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[sejpdw]

1. What's the difference between the following sentences?
1) All students must have dreams.
2) All the students must have dreams.

2. In the second sentence of this passage, "All the students" seems to be more proper. What 's your opinion?

Haven't you decided yet? All students have been impressed by Andy Lewis's honesty, diligence and keen sense of humor. As you know, his challenger is Martha Callahan. She is a sweet, pleasant girl, but she lacks leadership ability. The next year will be an important one for all the students of Central High. Many changes in the curriculum and students organization have been promised. They will require the energy of everyone. It will be comforting to realize that we have a person who can lead all of us at a difficult time. Don't fail to vote this coming Tuesday- for the person who will do the best job: Andy Lewis.

[CP]

1. The difference is between all students everywhere and all the students in a particular population -- one school, one district, one county, one state, etc.

All students must study in order to learn. That is true of all students at all times and all places.

All the students in Mrs. Walker's class did well on the final exam. That is true of the specific students referred to only.

However, sometimes "all students" will also be used in the more limited sense. If the principal announces that all the students of his school must have their ID pictures taken this week, he might make this announcement: "All students must have their photos taken before the last class on Friday." In context, it is clear that the announcement applies only to students at this principal's school.

2. I think it should be "all the students," too.
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