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batteries versus the batteries
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:42 pm
by Vega
Hello there,
Remove batteries when not using the air conditioner for a long time.
Why not "the batteries"? Because here it is obvious that we mean the certain batteries inside of the remote control.
Re: batteries
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 4:25 pm
by Josef Essberger
You are right, but they are writing in a relaxed, informal way, and may also want to save space. They might also have written:
Remove batteries when not using air conditioner for a long time.
This kind of language is typical of instruction manuals and user guides, where they often want to use as little paper as possible.
As you indicate, the correct formal style would be:
Remove the batteries when not using the air conditioner for a long time.
Re: batteries versus the batteries
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 5:26 pm
by Vega
Thank you immensely!
Re: batteries versus the batteries
Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 6:42 am
by Tukanja
Is it possible that "Remove batteries" without the the probably means
Remove any batteries any time in any of the remote controlles that is used by anyone, when not using the air conditioner for a long time.
And the warning is used for all the possible customers.