all the books — all + the + plural (GiU Unit 75)
The frame
Section titled “The frame”All the books on the top shelf belong to me. ✓
“on the top shelf” pins which books → known set → the required. ✗ All books = every book in existence (universal claim) — contradicted by the shelf.
Pattern
Section titled “Pattern”all + the/my/these + plural noun:
- all the books on the shelf
- all my friends
- all these students
Bare all + plural = general/universal:
- All books are expensive these days (= books in general)
- All children need love (= children in general)
Unit 75 principle
Section titled “Unit 75 principle”the = the shared/known set. Any modifier that narrows the reference (on the top shelf, in this class, that you mentioned) forces the. No narrowing → bare plural for general statements.
| reference | example | |
|---|---|---|
| all books | general | All books are useful |
| all the books | specific known set | all the books on the top shelf |
Related determiners
Section titled “Related determiners”Same rule with: all/half/both/most + the: most the? → most of the books (most needs of). both the children ✓, half the cake ✓.
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, Unit 75 — the 3 (children / the children). Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.