In (the?) season x

[Dennis R. Preston]

I suspect region! I can't say "It snows a lot in winter." Too bad we
don't know more about the regional-social distribution of article use
(except for the well-known Transatlantic stuff like "in hospital,"
etc...).

dInIs

>After thinking about what I say for a bit, it seems I use "the" when
>it's something limited and specific. " I'm going to France in the
>spring."  "I'll be attending college in the fall."  When it's ongoing
>and general, I don't use the definite article. " In spring a young
>man's fancy... "  "It snows a lot in winter."
>
>Rima

--
Dennis R. Preston
Professor of Linguistics
Department of Linguistics and Languages
740 Wells Hall A
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1027 USA
Office - (517) 353-0740
Fax - (517) 432-2736