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" before the first noun in this template?" Are there other instances of using this template, but without "the". I often use the structure "It is the <noun> of <noun>." For example, "It is the case of a cruel corruption." I have the same questions for this template.
3 Answers
The first noun in the [noun] of [noun] unit is treated as any other noun as regards modifiers, so (barring special cases such as idioms) wherever you would say the [noun1], you can also say the [noun1] of [noun2], etc.
As a corollary, it is also correct to use [noun1] of [noun2] without a the, especially if the wouldn't normally appear before [noun1] alone. Examples:
I drink a cup of coffee every morning.
Strength of will is important in a leader.
The is used before names consisting of: noun + of + noun.
Example:
The bay of Bengal
-
3The question was addressing a broader use of the constuction than just names. Commented Apr 29, 2021 at 10:26
When the noun is followed by the preposition "of", the definite article is mandatory, for example, "I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery, than the reading of whole volumes of philosophy on the subject could do".
-
2"A reading of the will is to be held on Monday. For those who cannot attend, another reading of the will is to take place on Tuesday." Here, reading functions as a noun and follows the normal rules about determiners.– Andrew Leach ♦Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 17:37
For all customers of the movie theaterdoesn't use "the" before the first noun, nor the phraseI am a customer of the theater.