save images in (the/-) PDF, PNG and JPEG formats
- Thread starter atakeris
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Why? Don't I specify the formats I'm talking about?
A bit different because I'm describing what are PDF, PNG... in the end of the sentence. They are formats, in which you can save an image. If i wrote like that "You can save images in PNG, PDF, I wouldn't doubt on whether or not an article is necessary. In my case, I though I should use it. If not, can you explain me please the logic that I could apply it to other cases.
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I recommend that you understand "the" not as "making something specific" but in the manner of the word's origin. "The" is a demonstrative adjective, very similar to "that" and means something like, "That which we know."
However, in your case, you have confused yourself and "the" would never go into the sentence "Save images in PDF, PNG and JPEG formats."
The singular of that sentence is "Save images in a PDF, PNG and JPEG format." -> when you create the plural, the a disappears.
Consider:
"Buy clothes cut from a cotton or wool material."
"Buy clothes cut from cotton or wool materials."
PDF, PNG and JPG are acting as adjectives but are capable of being noun phrases in their own right.
However, in your case, you have confused yourself and "the" would never go into the sentence "Save images in PDF, PNG and JPEG formats."
The singular of that sentence is "Save images in a PDF, PNG and JPEG format." -> when you create the plural, the a disappears.
Consider:
"Buy clothes cut from a cotton or wool material."
"Buy clothes cut from cotton or wool materials."
PDF, PNG and JPG are acting as adjectives but are capable of being noun phrases in their own right.
Thanks PaulQ.
Why then "the car industry" in which, as I understand" the "car" acts as an adjective, we usually put the definite article, if we are talking about the whole card industry in the world.
I would use "the" with the plural "formats": "save images in the PDF, PNG, and JPEG formats", but: "save images in PDF, PNG, and JPEG format."
I might also say "save images in a PDF format", either thinking that there is more than one format known as "PDF", or assuming the other person is unfamiliar with PDFs.
These things are capitalized because they are like proper names. I might also say "give the x-rays to the Drs. Jones" but "give the x-rays to Dr. Jones and Dr. Smith", and I might say "I gave the x-rays to a Dr. Smith", either thinking there was more than one Dr. Smith where I was or assuming the other person is unfamiliar with Dr. Smith.
I might also say "save images in a PDF format", either thinking that there is more than one format known as "PDF", or assuming the other person is unfamiliar with PDFs.
These things are capitalized because they are like proper names. I might also say "give the x-rays to the Drs. Jones" but "give the x-rays to Dr. Jones and Dr. Smith", and I might say "I gave the x-rays to a Dr. Smith", either thinking there was more than one Dr. Smith where I was or assuming the other person is unfamiliar with Dr. Smith.
I wondered why I was confused, there are two threads that are essentially the same:
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2993031 - save images in (the/-) PDF, PNG and JPEG formats
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2993077 - (the/-) PDF format.
I will ask a mod to combine them.
In the other thread, I said, "But you also know that adjectivally qualified, weakly uncountable nouns may (or may not) have a, the, (or other determiner) before them: "I gave him a/the different sugar." -> "I gave him different sugar.""
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2993031 - save images in (the/-) PDF, PNG and JPEG formats
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2993077 - (the/-) PDF format.
I will ask a mod to combine them.
In the other thread, I said, "But you also know that adjectivally qualified, weakly uncountable nouns may (or may not) have a, the, (or other determiner) before them: "I gave him a/the different sugar." -> "I gave him different sugar.""