This tag is for questions about the definite article.
3
votes
3answers
59 views
Use of the definite article “the” before “church”
I was in a Teacher's selection for a school in my country, and one of the coordinators said that she heard a mistake from another teacher that was unacceptable. I tried to figure out why was that, but ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views
“Near St. John's church” vs. “near the St. John's church” vs. “near the St. John church” [duplicate]
When it comes to churches and so on, which one is correct?
Our hotel is near St. John's church.
Our hotel is near the St. John's church.
Our hotel is near the St. John church.
1
vote
1answer
32 views
Use of the definite article: “restricts flow” or “restricts the flow”
We are writing technical documentation and a sentence looks more or less like this:
"The inside diameter of the pipe is reduced and thus restricts flow of water."
"The inside diameter of ...
-3
votes
0answers
41 views
Use of definite article with organization names [closed]
Is it "I work for Smith Corporation" or "I work for the Smith Corporation?"
Does the answer change if using just the organization's initials? Is it "I work for SC" or "I work for the SC?"
4
votes
3answers
203 views
Use of “the” in Indian English
The word "the" in Indian English seems to have a different function than in American English, and I'd like to understand it better. The first sentence of this article demonstrates what I mean:
...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
Use “the” before a scientific method name? [closed]
I'm writing a paper about an algorithm that I have developed. Just for illustration, I will say that the method name is "quicksort". My question is about the usage of the in the following context:
...
1
vote
2answers
90 views
Why isn’t the definite article used in “The commission commanded that work […] should cease”?
In this sentence:
The commission commanded that work on the building should cease.
Why isn't the used before the word work? It seems that the work is specified by on the building.
Another ...
-1
votes
1answer
56 views
“The European raw materials” or “European raw materials”?
I am confused about the usage of "the" before European, British. I am able to find situations where "the" before European, to denote the people of Europe, and the European army to denote the army of ...
4
votes
7answers
330 views
Superlative and definite article “the”
I have seen similar questions like this here on ELU. However, I am still confused with my particular question.
(a) She gets up latest in her family.
(b) She gets up the latest in her family.
...
3
votes
4answers
93 views
Is it “Ministry of Economy” or “Ministry of the Economy”?
Recently, a government official gave me a business card that stated the official's department as "Ministry of Economy."
I did a double take, because, in my mind, I took that to mean "Ministry of ...
0
votes
4answers
147 views
Why “the ipad” and not simply ipad [duplicate]
From what I've learned, special names don't get definite articles.
(I should admit that the use of articles in English is very tricky) For example, we say Apple but not the Apple to refer to the ...
6
votes
3answers
360 views
Usage of “a” and “the” in titles
Which one should I use for page title?
Apple — Tasty Fruit
Apple — A Tasty Fruit
Apple — The Tasty Fruit
The article is only about tasty apple.
-2
votes
2answers
73 views
“the 1st” or “1st”
I'm wondering which is the right usage between "the 1st" and "1st" in these sentences:
a) The United States ranked 1st in Bloomberg's Global Innovation Index.
b) The United States ranked the 1st in ...
1
vote
0answers
138 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. ...
2
votes
2answers
167 views
on the bus, in the car etc. vs. on a bus, in a car etc
I realize a lot of questions have been asked about buses here. While the thing with the preposition usage was resolved for me a long time ago, the usage of the articles is still confusing me.
For ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
“Give the real temperature” vs. “give real temperature”
I would like to know if I should use the second the in the following sentence.
The thermometer does not give the real temperature.
The thermometer does not give real temperature.
And I ...
5
votes
1answer
122 views
“Time of (the) day”
I am confused about the article usage in the phrase "time of (the) day".
From my research, I understand that "time of day" (day with the zero article) is more common and probably more idiomatic. It's ...
2
votes
2answers
195 views
“Said objects” or “The said objects”
I've always said things like "If you ate the said candy." and "If you count the said rocks."
I've also heard many people say "If you ate said candy." and "If you count said rocks."
This always ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Using “the” with name of research center
The name of our research center is Southeastern Transportation Center, STC is the acronym, of course. In writing, I use STC, not 'the STC' but our director says 'the' is needed so that it reads well. ...
1
vote
3answers
196 views
The usage of “the” in a general statement
"Gas prices are going up." Which of the following is also a general statement about gas prices:
The price of gasoline is going up.
The gas price is going up.
And could you tell me why? ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Definite article with “Wiener filtering”, an uncountable noun
I have a sentence something like this
We apply Wiener filtering to obtain a solution.
In this "Wiener filtering" is a uncountable noun. I am not sure whether "the" is required before it.
0
votes
3answers
59 views
“The applicability of the algorithm to uniform filter bank” or “to the uniform filter bank”?
I have this sentence:
We would like to prove the applicability of the algorithm to uniform filter bank.
I am not sure about the before uniform filter bank. To give the context for the sentence, ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
“Is there a best X?” — why “a” if it's the superlative degree?
Which of the following is grammatical?
Is there a best school?
Is there the best school?
I'm sure that the first one is right. But why?
0
votes
2answers
105 views
“This is a song by Lady Gaga” or “this is the song by Lady Gaga”? [closed]
Which article is appropriate in the blank below, a or the?
— What are you singing? I've heard the song many times.
— This is __ song by Lady Gaga.
-1
votes
1answer
52 views
Grammaticality of “by the bus” when the bus is the only choice
Can the expression "by the bus" be used to specify how I go home when it is the only method to be used?
0
votes
2answers
113 views
Is it valid to omit “the”? [closed]
Example:
Quote from author of this publication: "..."
instead of:
Quote from the author of this publication: "..."
Is omitting the "the" in this example OK?
Update: Here's the context. ...
1
vote
1answer
131 views
“In a book store near my school” vs. “in the book store near my school” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are there any simple rules for article usage (“a” vs “the” vs none)
Which article should I use in the following situations?
There is only one book store near my ...
1
vote
1answer
145 views
Is it necessary to use “the” before using verb+“ing” in specific contexts?
I am confused with whether it is necessary to use the before verbs in certain contexts. Like:
The milking of a cow is not a painful process at all like you think.
I am afraid it has never been ...
7
votes
5answers
489 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
128 views
Is there a rule for using or not using the definite article before people’s titles?
The use of the definite article before titles is a confusing area - I always hear “Queen Elizabeth visited” and never “The Queen Elizabeth visited”. But I always hear “The Prince of Wales visited” and ...
2
votes
0answers
84 views
Semantic question about the definite article [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a usage of “the” that indicates one out of a group of many?
The definite article is used when the referent is “uniquely identifiable” to the hearer, as many ...
8
votes
2answers
431 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
446 views
Why “the” in “Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)”? [closed]
When reading the title of the book, we don't know what three men it is talking about so there is no/indefinite article (the same with "a boat"). But why is there "the Dog" instead of "a Dog"? We don't ...
0
votes
1answer
194 views
Use of the article “the” with proper nouns
I'm writing a leaflet for children from primary schools who will visit our school.
Is it correct to write:
the "amerigo vespucci" school is waiting for you!!!!
Is the use of the definite ...
-1
votes
3answers
201 views
What article should be used in such sentences?
What article should be used in the following sentence?
He was English by [a/the/] blood.
I feel there should be a zero article here, but I was taught that the zero article is impossible in ...
3
votes
3answers
374 views
“the” is in my business name, capitalize it or not?
I'm starting a new business and recently decided on a name. The problem is that the name has the word "the" stuck right in the middle, like so:
__ the __, LLC
My question, should the "the" be ...
-1
votes
3answers
494 views
Do we say “I'm going to meet my friends in a park” or “I'm going to meet my friends in the park”? [closed]
I've had an argument recently whether one should say "I'm going to meet my friends in a park" or "I'm going to meet my friends in the park"? Assume that the other speaker doesn't know what park is ...
0
votes
2answers
144 views
Why do we use an article for “the mind,” “the heart,” or “the soul”? [closed]
A student of mine came across a website titled "Music for the Mind" and asked why we use a definite article. We are not talking about a specific mind. We also use definite articles to talk about "The ...
1
vote
4answers
300 views
“Planning for next year” vs. “planning for the next year”
I would like to start planning for next year.
In the above sentence, there is no definite article before the words next year. Should it be present, as in the following sentence which sounds far ...
-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
169 views
Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times…” [closed]
It was the best of times…
How to understanding this usage without using "the" (i.e. instead of "the best of the times")?
How can we apply the same usage in everyday conversation? E.g. should we ...
1
vote
1answer
173 views
Definite article and dates without ordinal indicators
Where ordinal indicators are not used, which of the following is correct?
We will go ahead on the 7 January 2013.
We will go ahead on 7 January 2013.
4
votes
4answers
162 views
“king of” or “the king of”
Which is correct?
I am king of the world.
I am the king of the world.
Additionally, which would be the better choice, if I wanted to use the expression "king" to signify dominance in a ...
1
vote
2answers
62 views
“Follow evolution” vs. “follow the evolution”
Is the article the needed in the following sentence and why?
Want to follow [the] evolution of the project?
4
votes
3answers
158 views
“A different one” when we have 3 objects - other/another? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Can “another” be used with plural nouns provided periods or measurements don’t count?
Here is the context (found in a forum for learners of English)
WAITRESS: Do you ...
2
votes
2answers
221 views
The usage of “the” with “least”
The main issue here is how to sort out the usage of "the" with "least". Sometimes it's clear but there are cases when I am not sure whether to use the article "the" or not.
Least with verb
The ...
2
votes
6answers
276 views
“Suffer from a headache” vs. “suffer from the headache” [closed]
I am not sure which article to use in the following context:
She has been suffering from a headache.
She has been suffering from the headache.
Please clear up my doubt.
1
vote
1answer
99 views
meaning and usage of “in order the more” [closed]
I have just come across a phrase I have never seen before:
I do not so in order to undermine the status of xy but, on the contrary, in order the more securely to identify certain aspects.
A ...
1
vote
2answers
125 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
388 views
“In the presence” or “in presence”
I am confused about how to use in the presence. Here I have written a sentence in which I think the before presence should be omitted.
This situation might be more critical in the presence of long ...
