In terms of meaning, what is the difference (if there is one) between these sentences:
Grandmother buys a new belt.
The grandmother buys a new belt.
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Sign up to join this communityIn terms of meaning, what is the difference (if there is one) between these sentences:
Grandmother buys a new belt.
The grandmother buys a new belt.
Grandmother there is a form of address, and is used like a name.
The grandmother refers to her position or role in the family.
Compare this caption for a hypothetical photograph:
Sis gets her hair styled.
"Grandmother" as a proper noun (similar to a name) suggests that it's the speaker's grandmother or a well-known grandmother character in a story, and furthermore that there is only one grandmother in question. If there are multiple grandmothers one would refer to them with additional name, like "Grandma Jill", or "grandmother Jones".
Today we all went to the mall, and grandmother bought a new belt.
"The grandmother" uses "grandmother" as a noun. It can be used to refer to a person who is a grandmother and has been already mentioned before, but is not a significant character, or nor familiar enough to be called "grandmother" as a name.
A girl and her grandmother went to the mall. The grandmother bought a new belt.