As far as I understand, it speaks specifically about our entire planet, and not about some abstract world. Isn't it better to use the definite article in this case?
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The author is talking about a hypothetical, non-existing world that does not have electricity more than "specifically about our entire planet".– stangdonFeb 26, 2021 at 12:50
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Oh, I got it! It makes sense now, thank you very much.– OroffeFeb 26, 2021 at 15:27
1 Answer
"The" could be used, but, to me, it's as if the person's considering alternative realties, so she's considering one of many worlds in her mind.
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But this sentence speaks about our concrete world, isn't it? This world is only one. I don't understand why, in this case, we use the indefinite article, if the word "world" implies one very specific entity.– OroffeFeb 26, 2021 at 8:48
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World, to me, is a more subjective term than "planet" or "Earth". I would downgrade it from "very specific" to "specific", because there's a psychological connotation to it. It's as if a world is "a planet or place seen through through the eyes of a person". In general use, you'll see that "a world" is commonly used and understood. Feb 26, 2021 at 8:57