ABC Ltd are the official distributor of XYZ widgets

[VEIGHT]

Just a quick one.

ABC Ltd are the official distributor of XYZ widgets - but so are 4 other people.

Does saying ''ABC Ltd are 'THE' official'' make it look like the other 4 are not?

I'm unsure if ABC might get caught out if it implies that the others are not? I'm not sure if that statement does?

The dictionary says: 'THE' c. Used to indicate uniqueness: the Prince of Wales; the moon.

Any advice?

[Eric Mc]

Agreed.

You can't use "the" in this context as it would be misleading.

All you can say is that "ABC Ltd is an authorised distributer.....".

[marshalla]

Do all of them compete in the same (geographical) market ?

[VEIGHT]

Thansk Eric.

Yes they do.

Ok

'ABC Ltd are official distributors of XYZ widgets' it is then!

Thanks!

[anonymous-user]

sometimes the wording that can be used is set out clearly in the Distributor Agreement

[Simpo Two]

VEIGHT said:

'ABC Ltd are official distributors of XYZ widgets' it is then

Is an official distributor of.

[Ash MP4 12C]

Simpo Two said:

Is an official distributor of.

[DSLiverpool]

The other 3 buy from ABC who is THE main disty - the other 3 are sub distys if that isn't true then its misleading.

[VEIGHT]

Simpo Two said:

Is an official distributor of.

00

Thanks Simpo.

[Simpo Two]

No worries. Eric does the technical stuff, I hammer out the words

[LooneyTunes]

VEIGHT said:

Simpo Two said:

Is an official distributor of.

00

Thanks Simpo.

Drop the "Is an"... et voilia "ABC Ltd: Official Distributor of XYZ Widgets".

Entirely accurate but closer to the impression you want to portray?

[Simpo Two]

An interesting change - my version implies it is one of several distributors, yours implies it is the only one. Up to the OP I guess!

[DSLiverpool]

If I was one of the other four I would be playing hell with the manufacturer if I saw that.

[VEIGHT]

Why DS? Could you not do the same? It's factual....

(Just playing devil's advocate)

[DSLiverpool]

VEIGHT said:

Why DS? Could you not do the same? It's factual....

(Just playing devil's advocate)

Its factual and true but may provoke a hornets nest and lose you goodwill with the maker.

Erics is what I would use.

[VEIGHT]

Ok - thanks for the insight.