[Grammar] A definite article with plural nouns (general/specific?)

[nik4]

Hello! I got confused by the usage of "the" before plurals. Some examples:
1)
Q: What are reasons to do it? (or should it be "What are the reasons to do it?")
A: Reasons are hidden. (or should it be "The reasons are hidden?")

Here, do we say 'reasons' with no article as we convey a general term? Or are these reasons specific so 'the' should be placed?

2)
He told me about good ways of doing in, which include.....
or
He told me about the good ways of doing it, which include...

What are (the?) differences among them and which are correct? Would be glad if someone explains me as I am utterly confused.... Thanks

 

[Ran mohd]

Hi,
In each sentence you wrote, you asked about specific reasons that caused something, so in the first sentences, they all should include "the" before "reasons".
And then, since in the second sentences someone told the other a bout good ways of doing something, it is clearly that they are specific. He told him a bout the good ways, so he knows them now and when he talks a bout it. so you should use "the" before "good ways".
Hope that helped.

P.S, I am not a teacher.

 

[nik4]

Thanks for you answer. I was told that you use no definite article when you speak about unspecified number of something, like: Tell me reasons of it (means any reasons)... This is how far I've got it...

 

[Ran mohd]

But you didn't mean "any reasons" in the sentences above.
" Tell me reasons of it" this sentence is unfamiliar to me, I mean how the other guy would answer, he can't say "Reasons of it are,,,"
Your welcome.

Again, I am not a teacher.