articles - Should I refer to North Koreans and South Koreans "same people" or "the same people"?


Are North Koreans and South Koreans "same people" or "the same people"? Which is correct: the same or just same, and why?



Answer



You would use the definite article there:



North Koreans and South Koreans are the same people.



Edit


Same without the article is often used in a telegraphic style (one that omits extra words for the sake of brevity), such as product orders:



"You requested 52 greeting cards: will ship same within 4 days."



In this case it functions as a demonstrative pronoun, whose antecedent is the cards mentioned. Another way to say that is



"You requested 52 greeting cards: we will ship those to you within 4 days."



It fine to use either, but same in that context is a conventional usage.


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