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I have a sentence where I am not sure about the word order, and if the definite article should be used or not.

Which version is correct:

  1. It is a system which includes all equipment necessary to create a network.
  2. It is a system which includes all the equipment necessary to create a network.
  3. It is a system which includes all necessary equipment to create a network.
  4. It is a system which includes all the necessary equipment to create a network.
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  • I reckon all those variants are correct.
    – Andrew Leach ♦
    Jul 18, 2012 at 14:00
  • @AndrewLeach: Thanks, English is not my native language, and I got a suggestion to remove the definite article from the second sentence (which was the original one), so I basically wanted to check if an exact rule can be applied in this case.
    – vgru
    Jul 18, 2012 at 14:04
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    Difference between 'all' and 'all the', “All rooms” versus “all the rooms”
    – RegDwigнt
    Jul 18, 2012 at 14:08
  • What AndrewLeach said. But I would add that for me at least, including "the" suggests there may only be one such "set of equipment". Without it, there's more of an implication that other combinations of (potentially different) components could be used to create a network, but at least the reader can be assured that this particular system doesn't require any additional components. Also, I'd use the word components (which can comfortably apply to both hardware and software) rather than equipment (which often only and specifically applies to "hardware").
    – FumbleFingers
    Jul 18, 2012 at 15:55
  • @FumbleFingers: Well, yes, the intention was to emphasize that a measurement device comes bundled with everything necessary for it to work, no additional accessories needed. But as long as it's won't hurt anyone's ears, I don't think anyone will bother with these details. Thanks!
    – vgru
    Jul 18, 2012 at 20:31

1 Answer 1

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They are all correct, but I feel 4. is the most appropriate.If equipment is necessary, it will most probably be unique, hence the "the", I feel, should be there. And for some reason "necessary to create a network" sounds awkward... "required" sounds better if you want that ordering.

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    I can't really agree with that. I think all four variants are "acceptable", but I find #2 to be the most natural, and #4 the most stilted.
    – FumbleFingers
    Jul 18, 2012 at 15:58

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