bones of dogs

[azz]

a. Buried in the cave there were the bones of dogs.

b. Buried in the cave there were bones of dogs.

What is the difference between the meanings of these sentences?

Many thanks

[Josef Essberger]

a. Buried in the cave there were the bones of dogs.

b. Buried in the cave there were bones of dogs.

What is the difference between the meanings of these sentences?

Many thanks

Frankly, in this case there seems to be little or no difference. The first is a touch more formal.

On the other hand, if it read:

- Buried in the cave there were the bones of the dogs.

then it would refer to certain specific dogs that we have already been discussing - and their bones.