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Let's consider this from a broader perspective.

The names of many departmental areas of the modern office have zero-article.

We speak of:

-Human Resources,
-IT
-Hospitality
-Maintenance
-Security
-Parking

None of those use "the"...it is just another area. If you add "office" or "department" to the equation, then the definite article does function.

Usually we say..."Call security, ask at reception, get IT to fix it..." Not the HR, the Security etc.

That said, "the reception" sounds like a reaction to a public statement, or what your radio is getting on the airwaves, or the event that occurs after a wedding.

It's a usage issue. As alphazero has mentioned: "This is the general principle that unique objects are identified by their name, without an article."

Let's consider this from a broader perspective.

The names of many departmental areas of the modern office have zero-article.

We speak of:

-Human Resources,
-IT
-Hospitality
-Maintenance
-Security
-Parking

None of those use "the"...it is just another area. However, if you add "office" or "department" or "desk" to the equation, then the definite article does function.

Usually we say..."Call security, ask at reception, get IT to fix it..." Not the HR, the Security etc.

That said, "the reception" sounds like a reaction to a public statement, or what your radio is getting on the airwaves, or the event that occurs after a wedding.

It's a usage issue. As alphazero has mentioned: "This is the general principle that unique objects are identified by their name, without an article."

Let's consider this from a broader perspective.

The names of many departmental areas of the modern office have zero-article.

We speak of:

-Human Resources,
-IT
-Hospitality
-Maintenance
-Security
-Parking

None of those use "the"...it is just another area. If you add "office" or "department" to the equation, then the definite article does function.

Usually we say..."Call security, ask at reception, get IT to fix it..." Not the HR, the Security etc.

That said, "the reception" sounds like a reaction to a public statement, or what your radio is getting on the airwaves, or the event that occurs after a wedding.

It's a usage issue.

Let's consider this from a broader perspective.

The names of many departmental areas of the modern office have zero-article.

We speak of:

-Human Resources,
-IT
-Hospitality
-Maintenance
-Security
-Parking

None of those use "the"...it is just another area. If you add "office" or "department" to the equation, then the definite article does function.

Usually we say..."Call security, ask at reception, get IT to fix it..." Not the HR, the Security etc.

That said, "the reception" sounds like a reaction to a public statement, or what your radio is getting on the airwaves, or the event that occurs after a wedding.

It's a usage issue. As alphazero has mentioned: "This is the general principle that unique objects are identified by their name, without an article."

Let's consider this from a broader perspective.

Many departmental areas of the modern office have zero-article.

We speak of:

-Human Resources,
-IT
-Hospitality
-Maintenance
-Security
-Parking

None of those use "the"...it is just another area. If you add "office" or "department" to the equation, then the definite article does function.

Usually we say..."Call security, ask at reception, get IT to fix it..." Not the HR, the Security etc.

That said, "the reception" sounds like a reaction to a public statement, or what your radio is getting on the airwaves, or the event that occurs after a wedding.

It's a usage issue.

Let's consider this from a broader perspective.

The names of many departmental areas of the modern office have zero-article.

We speak of:

-Human Resources,
-IT
-Hospitality
-Maintenance
-Security
-Parking

None of those use "the"...it is just another area. If you add "office" or "department" to the equation, then the definite article does function.

Usually we say..."Call security, ask at reception, get IT to fix it..." Not the HR, the Security etc.

That said, "the reception" sounds like a reaction to a public statement, or what your radio is getting on the airwaves, or the event that occurs after a wedding.

It's a usage issue.