This tag is for questions about the definite article.
1
vote
2answers
310 views
Capitalization of a noun that has be made definite
If someone were writing a paper on a particular train station, for brevity, it is easier to refer to it as "the station." Should station in that phrase be capitalized?
It is unrelated to ...
-3
votes
1answer
1k views
The <noun> of <noun>
I wonder about the the <noun> of <noun> template. For example, the customers of a movie theater or the possessor of a car. The question is "Is it a stable rule in English to put "the" ...
0
votes
0answers
159 views
Those or these collections? [closed]
I feel for 'those collections' but have found 'these collections' used as well. Are they both right?
3
votes
2answers
822 views
“People” or “the people”
What is the most correct way to say:
People in the list above will also receive product update notifications.
Should I use the people or simply people? Is there a more formal way to express the ...
2
votes
2answers
192 views
Omitting the definite article before “problem is”
I've noticed that the definite article is often omitted preceding the word "problem" in newspapers and magazines. Not in speech, but just in print. Here's an example:
Many politicians feel that ...
2
votes
1answer
99 views
“In the third person” or “in third person”
Which is more correct?
He's talking in the third person.
He's talking in third person.
Does it matter?
5
votes
2answers
3k views
“During summer” vs. “during the summer”
What is the difference between saying "during summer" and "during the summer"? As in:
I work during the summer.
I work during summer.
Are both common? Is my feeling correct that the ...
1
vote
1answer
93 views
“The fullness” vs “fullness”
When should one put a definite article before the word "fullness"?
UPD: To be precise, I have the following sentence.
The first condition is just (the ?) fullness of A.
Here fullness is some ...
5
votes
1answer
196 views
Use of definite article in “the more” and “the less”
Why is the definite article used in expressions like the more and the less? For example,
The more you study, the more you know.
The less you study, the less you know.
1
vote
2answers
278 views
“All rooms” versus “all the rooms”
When a hotel gives a description of the rooms in the facility, which sentence is correct and why?
All the rooms are equipped with a free internet connection.
All rooms are equipped with a ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
Use of definite article before phrases like Heathrow Airport, Hyde Park, Waterloo Station, Edgware Road and Parliament Square
In this related question (Definite article with proper nouns, titles followed by a common noun), the OP asks if it is grammatical to use the definite article before phrases like Advanced programming ...
19
votes
10answers
4k views
About definite article before “Earth”, “Moon” and “Sun”
In what cases do we have to put the definite article the before each of these words:
Sun
Moon
Earth
and in what cases do we not need to?
2
votes
2answers
432 views
“To be elected chairman” vs. “to be elected the chairman”
I have a question regarding the correct use of the definite article "the":
One of my books says:
Definite article the is used before
nouns denoting a position that can be
held by one person ...
5
votes
5answers
706 views
Please use other door?
"Please use other door" signs are common. But would you ever say this? Or would you say "please use the other door"?
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Using the definite article with acronyms and initialisms
I'm wondering when to use or not to use the definite article, when using acronyms or initialisms in a sentence. Is there a rule for this, or does it depend on the context?
For example, let's look at ...
2
votes
4answers
333 views
Should I put a definite article before a scientific term?
Which is (more) correct?
(I am with the) Laboratory of Biochemistry of Hydrobionts.
(I am with the) Laboratory of the Biochemistry of Hydrobionts.
Is there any rule for using or not ...
4
votes
3answers
955 views
Adjective with proper noun
Rephrasing the entire question:
Do we use the article "the" when we use an adjective with a proper noun? Which of these is correct, and why?
The terrible Mr. Brown set my boat on fire.
...
2
votes
0answers
326 views
How did the definite / indefinite articles develop? [closed]
Russian, I believe, has no definite or indefinite article. How did it develop in Latin languages, particularly English? Would English be much poorer without it?
3
votes
3answers
833 views
Do I need to put “the” before “most” in this sentence?
Is putting “the” before “most” in this sentence compulsory, optional, or a mistake?
Fascination with language and
attention to particular regions and
communities in America are the most common
...
4
votes
2answers
923 views
Why don't we use the definite article before these examples?
'We need to look closely at business growth, technological advancement, economic trends, and product development.'
I would never say 'the business growth' or 'the technological advancement' etc.
0
votes
2answers
689 views
Correct pronunciation of “the” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicates:
Is pronouncing “The” as in “Thee” still correct in titles?
What is the pronunciation of “the?”
What would be the correct way to ...
1
vote
1answer
419 views
Should I use a “the” in front of this proper noun? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Definite article before proper nouns
Do I always have to put definite article "THE" in front of the name of university? For example,
Kiev National University
OR
THE ...
0
votes
2answers
120 views
“A first post” — makes sense or not?
I once knew a person who titled the first post in his blog, "A first post."
It was immediately pointed out to him that correct usage is "The first post." To that he responded: Well, every blog has ...
7
votes
2answers
449 views
Definite or indefinite article in “the/a devil's advocate”
I can't quite figure out which of the following expressions is more correct:
He is the devil's advocate.
He is a devil's advocate.
He is playing devil's advocate.
The combination of an article ...
1
vote
0answers
154 views
Pronunciation of “the” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the pronunciation of “the”?
I've noticed that the word the is not always pronounced in the same way depending on the sound of the next word. I think ...
3
votes
2answers
471 views
Why is it “The King's Speech” but “Le Discours d'un Roi”?
In the movie's Wikipedia article, there is a French poster of the movie, which says "Le Discours d'un Roi". This is interesting to me because the French title uses the indefinite article "un" to refer ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Is it “out of question” or “out of the question”?
Are they used in different contexts?
Those both of them use correct grammar?
Google fight shows that "out of the question" appear 10 times more often than the other.
1
vote
2answers
225 views
The definite article usage with objects that have names
For example, I have a database and several tables in it. One of the tables is named Clients for this example.
When I speak about a table and need to mention its name do I have to use the definite ...
4
votes
1answer
579 views
Use or omit “the” before profession?
This image-stabilising system for a hand-held camera, developed by cameraman Garrett Brown in 1973, offers (...)
Wouldn't it be more correct to write "the cameraman Garrett Brown"?
Is omitting ...
5
votes
4answers
263 views
US Route 101 — “The 101”
In my part of the world, we refer to highways without any article. So we drive on "Highway 64", or "Interstate 64", or "I-64". But when I go to California, they say "The 101". Is there any explanation ...
15
votes
6answers
5k views
Using the definite article before a country/state name
The Punjab is a rich state.
Is it correct to use the before Punjab?
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Do I need “the” before the name of my university? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Definite article before proper nouns
I was updating my LinkedIn tagline and thinking about whether I should put the article before the name of the university.
...
3
votes
3answers
89 views
“Try and produce best output” versus “try and produce the best output”
I've heard people say both. Which is the right one?
4
votes
5answers
432 views
Why do we use the definite article in the expression “quite the [noun]”?
Like: "quite the singer", "quite the writer", etc. while he/she is just a singer/writer and is not the only singer/writer, etc in that context.
2
votes
2answers
251 views
What is the etymology of “the”?
I was just having this conversation with a friend. Where does the word "the" come from?
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Can I start a sentence with a singular noun with no article?
For example, which one of the following sentences can I use?
Consumer of Product X needs to fill out a rebate form […].
Consumers of Product X need to […].
A consumer of Product X needs to ...
3
votes
6answers
2k views
Definite article before schools, colleges, and universities
Is the always used before the name of a school, college, or university?
4
votes
2answers
494 views
Why does “The Punisher” get an article in his name and “Spiderman” doesn't?
Why not
Punisher vs. The Spider-man
?
Is the word "the" used however we feel like? Could I call them "Punisher" and "The Spider-man"?
2
votes
3answers
350 views
Which is correct: “Grails” or “The Grails”?
Should it be
Grails has integration with jUnit
or
The Grails has integration with jUnit
If the correct answer is the one without the "The", then why?
P.S. (The) Grails is an open source ...
9
votes
2answers
875 views
Is it necessary to use “the” multiple times?
It seems that the question has eventually become a series of questions....
Question 1
An example goes as:
The 1st and (the) 2nd paragraphs of the article are extremely long.
Is it necessary ...
3
votes
2answers
302 views
Use of 'the' before human voice
Which is correct?
The fascinating features of human voice
OR
The fascinating features of the human voice
Is there a rule or is it another difference between American and British ...
11
votes
6answers
12k views
Why is it “on *the* one hand”?
According to all dictionaries I can see and everyday use by native speakers, this is the correct way:
On the one hand, it's larger; on the other hand, it's more expensive.
What makes no sense to ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
“Time is of the essence”… of what?
I'm having a hard time understanding the purpose or meaning of the definite article, the in the common phrase, Time is of the essence.
My first thought is that it refers to the task that is ...
13
votes
3answers
779 views
Definite article — “on television” vs. “on the radio”
Why are these different?
We heard the news on the radio.
We watched the news on television.
In this book, the author says we must use television without the. Why? It makes me crazy. Is ...
3
votes
3answers
537 views
“The (Cobra)” vs. “An (elephant)”, articles with nouns denoting a class
[ 1 ] tells on p.5 that "Singular nouns denoting a class" are preceded by the definite article "THE" (Example: "The Cobra is dangerous"), while on page 7 (Table 6. THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE) it tells ...
12
votes
4answers
1k views
Omission of definite article with musical instruments
What is the rule for omitting/including the definite article in the following sentences:
I used to play piano.
I used to play the piano.
I would pick the first sentence, but I've heard people ...
6
votes
2answers
174 views
Which would be correct: “outputs” or “puts out”?
Which word should I use in the following context? Is the required before data?
Any algorithm first reads data, processes (the) data and finally [outputs|puts out] the processed data.
21
votes
5answers
5k views
Are there any simple rules for choosing the definite vs. indefinite (vs. none) article?
I can’t for the life of me figure out where to use a and where to use the — and where there is no article at all. Is there a simple rule of thumb to memorize?
The standard rule you always hear:
...
5
votes
5answers
265 views
“The” for superlative referring to more than one object
Which one of these sentences is correct?
The best countries to live in are ...
Best countries to live in are ...
EDIT: The reason this question is being asked is that this Wiktionary ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Using “the” before ordinal numbers
When learning English I was told that ordinal numbers should always be used with "the" before them. But I often see that this is not always so strict, for example I heard the phrase "April first" ...
