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4.2 specific versus general examples The term specific with reference to the definite article means that the noun is qualified in someway. Typical qualifications are. Another noun a
noun1 + of + noun2 construction indicates that probably
noun1 is being specified by
noun2 .
In such cases,
noun1 should be preceded by
the. 2. A noun + (
that ) + (subject) + verb.
3. A superlative (
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), e.g.
the best, the simplest. 4. An adjective such as
fi rst, second (etc,
main, principal, only, initial. 5. Adjectives (even a whole sequence) don’t necessarily make their noun specific.
SPECIFIC GENERAL 1
The life of a peasant in the Middle Ages was hard.
Life in the Middle Ages was hard.
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The history of English is fascinating.
History was my favorite subject at school.
2
The problems that we’ve been Share with your friends: 
