This tag is for questions about the definite article.
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:
...
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
6answers
2k views
Definite article before schools, colleges, and universities
Is the always used before the name of a school, college, or university?
6
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
459 views
Are there specific rules to build expressions with or without articles?
In English, there are lots of expressions built using articles like:
at the station
to the cinema
play the piano
have breakfast (no article)
take a bath
take a shower
Are there specific rules or ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Why there is “the” before some names but not others
Is there a rule beyond the common "no the with proper nouns and names" for the following problem?
I saw the Empire State Building.
We went to the White House.
We saw the Golden Gate ...
8
votes
2answers
600 views
Why do I want to say “the iPhone” instead of just “iPhone”?
Apple is somewhat notorious for omitting articles when talking about their products, and statements such as "People love iPhone" hit my ear a little strangely. But when I stopped to think about it, I ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
839 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
...
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 ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
553 views
Capitalising the definite article in names
When I was a youngster some mumble-mumble-mumble decades ago, I was taught that, in the instances of names of persons, places, and things which carried the definite article the, the article wasn’t ...
4
votes
1answer
583 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
261 views
Should there be an article before “mayor” in “the role of mayor”?
SimCity, for example, casts youth in the role of mayor.
I'm not sure if I understand the usage of zero article correctly. There is no article before 'mayor' as this is the instance where we ...
5
votes
5answers
707 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
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
578 views
'… the weather' vs. '… weather'
There are two correct (I hope so) sentences with weather taken from a book:
Was the weather nice?
Did you have nice weather?
Can somebody explain why there's an article in the first ...
3
votes
3answers
137 views
Is there a usage of “the” that indicates one out of a group of many?
Considering the sentence
Nearly anything can be a weapon in a martial artist’s hands., the indefinite article a indiciates that this can be any martial artist out of all in the world.
Next, consider ...
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
126 views
Incriminating others vs. Incriminating the others: Is this sentence correct?
From Oxford dictionary :
He was careful not to say anything that might incriminate the others.
Should it not be "He was careful not to say anything that might incriminate others"? If the ...
1
vote
2answers
282 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 ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Why use “the” for oceans/seas/rivers etc. but not lakes?
Possibly two questions in here: Are these sentence constructions logical, and if they are, why are they different?
I swam across the Ocmulgee River.
I swam across the Pacific Ocean.
I swam ...
9
votes
2answers
879 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
438 views
Usage of English definite article when referring to generic word
My mother language does not have articles, so I still struggle to choose when to use the indefinte and definite article. The other day, I learned:
"The dog is an animal" is acceptable.
"The iron is ...
3
votes
1answer
580 views
“The” before superlative [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Do I need to put “the” before “most” in this sentence?
I've always thought you need the definite article 'the' before the superlative of an adjective, except when the ...
2
votes
3answers
351 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 ...
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?
7
votes
5answers
501 views
Why is “the” dropped in “I go to school by bus”?
Why is the dropped in "I go to school by bus"? Why isn't it "I go to the school by the bus" if both school and bus are countable? Does the rule that a countable noun must have an article have an ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
924 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.
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
4answers
213 views
Do I need to use 'the' in this sentence?
I would like to limit my dissertation to three spheres: economy, politics, and culture of America.
Do I need to add 'the' before economy, politics...?
2
votes
0answers
328 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?
2
votes
2answers
252 views
What is the etymology of “the”?
I was just having this conversation with a friend. Where does the word "the" come from?
1
vote
0answers
140 views
Guide to English Articles [closed]
I'm looking for a full and complete guide to English articles like THE, A, AN, (none).
Can anyone recommend me something like that? I'd like to finally learn this and never make a mistake again. ...
1
vote
1answer
290 views
“All X” vs. “all of X” vs. “all the X”
Is there any difference between "all X", "all of the X", "all the X"? E.g.,
all friends
all of the friends
all the friends
1
vote
2answers
177 views
Is a definite article needed before “sleep”?
Do I need a definite article before "sleep" in the following sentence?
How do they call in English that yellowish substance that is gathered
in the corner of a human eye during the sleep?
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 ...
-1
votes
2answers
1k views
“The end of next week” or “the end of the next week”? [closed]
I wonder if there should be a the in front of week in "the end of next week". Context:
I will give you updates on how things work out by the end of next
week.
-2
votes
2answers
600 views
significance of “The” before country name [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Using the definite article before a country/state name
I am from India, and I do not say that I am from “the India”. But someone from USA would say “I am from the ...
