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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Article inclusion

I have seen sentence that include the article and others that don't. Is it optional or is there another explanation?

He served as (the) governor/president for two terms.

Can governor or president function as an uncountable noun, maybe?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Anonymous He served as (the) governor/president for two terms. governor and president are roles or titles. We usually drop the article in such cases.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous He served as (the) governor/president for two terms.
  • governor and president are roles or titles.
  • We usually drop the article in such cases.
  • Aeneas was the victor, and as king , he laid the foundation for the Roman Empire.
  • Colin Firth as the stutterer who would be king deserves his Oscar as best actor.
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13 Answers
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AnonymousHe served as (the) governor/president for two terms.
governor and president are roles or titles. We usually drop the article in such cases.

Aeneas was the victor, and as king, he laid the foundation for the Roman Empire.
Colin Firth as the stutterer who would be king deserves his Oscar as best actor.
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CalifJimgovernor and president are roles or titles. We usually drop the article in such cases.
I am glad you answered this, CJ. I did not want to bother you and post another question on that previous post regarding the use of article!
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AnonymousSo is that another exception in which the article is not required when using roles or titles, as you said?
Correct. I added some examples in my previous post while you were replying.

CJ
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CalifJimCorrect. I added some examples in my previous post while you were replying.
Awesome. I just read them. Thanks for showing me some examples - it's obvious that the article can be dropped.

CJ, incase I am in doubt whether or not to use the article, would it be wrong if I used it anyway in sentences where it can be used but not necessary maybe (j
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Anonymous... such as the examples you have provided above? What is your advice on that?
I advise you not to use an article with roles when they are in contexts like those shown in those examples.

Here are some contexts like that:

as president, became president, was president, elected president, appointed
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CalifJimI advise you not to use an article with roles when they are in contexts like those shown in those examples.
Got it.
CalifJimHere are some contexts like that:as president, became president, was president, elected president, appointed president
Great, I will keep that in mind. But is would be correct to use it if say
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AnonymousBut is would be correct to use it if say the governor was in front of me and I say to a friend "he is the governor of California". Would it be OK here?
Yes, it's OK with or without 'the'.

CJ
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CalifJimYes, it's OK with or without 'the'.
Right on! That's a new phrase I just learned from friends.
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AnonymousI will just avoid using it with roles and titles!!
Please note that what CJ has said about articles applies only when the title can be had by only one person at a time.

He was elected chairman.
He was elected an MP (a member of Parliament).
- There are 650 members in the British Parliament.

CB
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Cool BreezePlease note that what CJ has said about articles applies only when the title can be had by only one person at a time.
I see. Thanks for clarifying that.
Cool Breezee was elected chairman.He was elected an MP (a member of Parliament).- There are 650 members in the British Parliament.
So I can say "he was elected as
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