Definite article before adjective + noun phrases

This question may seem very elementary, but because I have very problem in using "the", I like to get an admission

I have the following sentence:

We try to simulate the way a user finds the desired data by scanning and blocking the page based on [the?] textual delimiters.

Can we use "the" before adjective noun phrases with this reason that the adjective makes the noun specific? Is it such a rule?

I mean for example "the textual delimiters" (not other type of delimiters). However, I guess it could be sated without "the" too, in that case what it means which would be different with its meaning with "the"?

Answer

There's a significant difference here. If you use the definite article the you're talking about specific textual delimiters used to block the site. Without the article you're simply stating how you're blocking the site (through the use of textual delimiters).

Allow me to clarify the difference through a simpler sentence:

• The cat often steals children's toys.


• The cat often steals the children's toys.

In the first sentence you say that the cat often steals toys that are normally used by children. The second sentence however, states that the cat often steals toys that belong to specific children that were either talked about earlier or are known in the context.

The difference in your sentence is the same. Are you talking about the use of textual delimiters in general? Then use the zero article. Are you talking about the use of specific textual delimiters? Then use the definite article the.