I'm a big fan of (the)?

[ucul]

I need help with this sentence: " I'm a big fan of the dark rums."

Is it OK to put "the" before "dark rums"? Or should I just say: I'm a big fan of dark rums?

 

[ucul]

Don't use 'the'. I am a big fan of rum/dark rum/dark rums.

I would say use uncountable rum rather than plural rums.

Why remove "the"?

 

[SoothingDave]

It is possible either way. If trying to draw a distinction between dark and light rums, especially.

"Rums" is fine, too. There are different varieties/makes of dark rum.

 

[ucul]

It is possible either way. If trying to draw a distinction between dark and light rums, especially.

"Rums" is fine, too. There are different varieties/makes of dark rum.

Is it possible to replace "the" with "a"? If not, why? "I'm a big fan of a dark rums.

 

[Eckaslike]

It is possible either way. If trying to draw a distinction between dark and light rums, especially.

"Rums" is fine, too. There are different varieties/makes of dark rum.

This appears to be another minor difference between AmE and BrE.

I would still use "dark rum" without "the".

In the same way that you can say "I'm a big fan of red wine" (as opposed to white wine) even though there are thousands of varieties of each.

In AmE can you say "I'm a big fan of the red wines"?

 

[SoothingDave]

This appears to be another minor difference between AmE and BrE.

I would still use "dark rum" without "the".

In the same way that you can say "I'm a big fan of red wine" (as opposed to white wine) even though there are thousands of varieties of each.

In AmE can you say "I'm a big fan of the red wines"?

Yes. But more usually as a contrast. You can say, unprompted, "I like red wine" or "I like red wines."

But in a conversation like this:

Do you like Chardonnay?

No, I'm more of a fan of the red wines.

The "the" seems more natural to me. But it could be either way.

 

[Eckaslike]

Yes. But more usually as a contrast. You can say, unprompted, "I like red wine" or "I like red wines."

But in a conversation like this:

Do you like Chardonnay?

No, I'm more of a fan of the red wines.

The "the" seems more natural to me. But it could be either way.

Very interesting Dave, because even then I wouldn't use "the". I would still say:

"No, I'm more a fan of red wine."

Your version doesn't sound that odd to me, it's just that I wouldn't use it.

Perhaps others might say what they think, because we might just be looking at it from two regional varieties of AmE and BrE respectively.

 

[bhaisahab]

I don't see any problem either way. I would accept it with or without the article.