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Topic : In this case, you're using Generic noun phrases. Either one works -- in fact, you could say a reader just as easily here -- but there are some subtle differences among them that you might - selfpublishingguru.com

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In this case, you're using Generic noun phrases. Either one works -- in fact, you could say a reader just as easily here -- but there are some subtle differences among them that you might want to consider.

The Definite Generic refers to the Prototype of a species, roughly the image we associate with reader. The reader, as a prototype, has all the properties of anyone we would call a reader, except that they doesn't exist in an individual physical sense, like all real readers do. This is a very abstract concept, and its use signals that the speaker is theorizing.

The reader enjoys it

means the speaker believes that enjoying it, in the relevant context, is a characteristic property of readers, that we should expect this to be true of any reader.

The Plural Generic refers to the Norm of a species over its individuals, as perceived, of course, by the speaker, who is unlikely to have conducted reader surveys, so the "statistics" here are very vague and impressional.

Readers enjoy it

means the speaker believes that, on the average, any reader is likely to enjoy it. This doesn't mean all readers will, though that's close. This is potentially a less abstract concept, since its use implies a generalization based on experience of several individuals.

These are very similar, and it may not make much difference for your purposes. More discussion here.


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