Article before university names

Question

Hi,My grammar book says that we should insert "the" before the university named as "University of ~ (the name of states, towns, etc.)" (e.g. the University of Michigan), whereas any articles should not be placed before the university named as "~ University" (e.g. Harvard University).According to this, it seems that, for example,"Hankuk University of Foreign Studies" should accompany "the," going by "the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies."Is my interpretation correct? Actually, on a google search, I had fewer hits about "the" version than I had expected...

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

You'll find that some are not so clearly decided, as with your example. The best course is to access the [url=http://www.hufs.ac.kr/eng/program/pro0101.jsp]INSTITUTION'S WEBSITE[/url] and check their usage.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi,

Thank you!

So, there seems not any grammatical generalization about this issue because this type of university name ('region name" + university of + "specializing field") is not common in English-spoken countries.

We can often find this type of university name in non-English spoken countries, and I made this thread because I was not sure if these kinds of educational institutions used correct English sentences on their websites. (Actually I am the graduate of one of such universities:) )

Anonymous · Answer

she met proffessor shah at an university. this sentence is correct or wrong

Yankee · Answer

Anonymousshe met proffessor shah at an university.

It's wrong. Here are three correct versions of your sentence:

She met Professor Shah at a university.
She met Professor Shah at university.
She met Professor Shah at the university.

AnonymousIs this sentence is correct or wrong?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousMy grammar book says that we should insert "the" before the university named as "University of ~ (the name of states, towns, etc.)" (e.g. the University of Michigan), whereas any articles should not be placed before the university named as "~ University" (e.g. Harvard University).

According to this, it seems that, for example,"Hankuk University of Foreign Studies" should accompany "the," going by "the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies."

Your logic is faulty. The grammar book says to use the if the first word is University, and not to use the when the first word is not University.

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies does not contain University as the first word. Yet you wish to apply the rule as if the first word of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies were University.

Applying the rule from your grammar book should lead you to expect not to use the before Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

I don't see anything wrong with the rule given in your grammar book, provided it is applied properly. Naturally, you will find a few exceptions, but these are not particularly numerous.

CJ

Edit: Oops! I answered the old question, not the new one tacked onto an old thread. Oh, well.

Article before university names

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