Article miscellanies

Question

Why is there no article at the beginning of the sentence:
American presidential candidate Robert Kennedy was assassinated in 1968
Was he not one of many others candidates (suggesting an indefinite article AN)?

Why is there no article before bishop?in the sentence:
After becoming bishop, he left France.

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

1. A person's name (Robert Kennedy) usually takes no article. In this case American presidential candidate just modifies the name, just as we say: President Obama, Dr Smith, Queen Elizabeth. An article would be necessary if we added one word: An American presidential candidate called Robert Kennedy was...

There are exceptions. The definite article is used in connection with certain adjectives: The great Shakespeare wrote 36 plays.

On the other hand, an indefinite article is often required with some other adjectives: We saw a sad Obama on television last night.

2. No article is used with titles in connection with some verbs, especially if only one person can have that title at a time:
He became president last year.
He was elected chairman.
He was president of France in those days.
They made him king.

However, an article is needed when the word is the subject of the sentence:
The president was present.
The chairman opened the meeting.

CB

SeroMack · Answer

Thank you, Cool Breeze.

I must admit that while generally I don't have much trouble with English grammar, I get white fever when dealing with articles. I do have grammar coursebooks, I do look up the rules on the web before asking you here, but still I can't master this peculiar part of English grammar. |

Would you please recommend a comprehensive source covering the article topic thoroughly for me (if any exists)?

(Otherwise), may I post single questions here every now and then? Today I'm going through a longish text translation full of deterimners (articles), which makes me feel hopeless...

Here is one part of the text. Would you be so kind to look at it in search for some inaccuracies and grammar mistakes?
I would be really grateful. A friend of mine got ordered to translate a Polish text into English and asked me for help. I like English, though I do not feel confident when it comes to formal texts like the following. I could pay for your help if you want, Cool Breeze.

The effects of the research conducted on the work of Asterius of Amasea will be an important contribution to the development of patristics and other related disciplines, such like history of the Church, Catholic social teaching, moral theology, pastoral theology and finally biblical teachings. The ongoing work will allow for the making available of the translation of all the first sermons of Asterius for the Polish scholars of Christian antiquity. Above all however, they will enrich the knowledge of ancient Christianity in the present day Turkey. This way, the results of the work of archeologist on the presence of Christian communities in Pontus will be complemented by the knowledge obtained from our research. Its result will also indicate contemporary Christian communities the method used in ancient Pontus to cope with problems humanity faces up to this day, i.e. greed, family problems, superficial faith, a refuge in magic and superstitions.

SeroMack · Answer

UPDATE:

Two of the headlines of the article read:

The shortened (abbreviated?) description of the project
The academic objective of the project.

Is it correct to use THE article at the beginning? Why? Honestly, it does'nt sound good but the description in question is one of the whole project, which makes it feel definite. The same story with academic objective...and other headlines to come.

Cool Breeze · Answer

seroMackI must admit that while generally I don't have much trouble with English grammar, I get white fever when dealing with articles.

So do I.

seroMackWould you please recommend a comprehensive source covering the article topic thoroughly for me (if any exists)?

I'm not familiar with what the internet offers in this respect. I learned what I wrote in my first post as a schoolboy from English grammar books written in Finnish for Finnish students. No doubt the same information is available elsewhere, but I cannot recall the books that are the best in that regard. I have read dozens of grammar books over the years.

seroMack(Otherwise), may I post single questions here every now and then?

This forum is open and free for everybody. However, you should start a new thread for each subject and not expect replies from just any one member.

seroMackWould you be so kind to look at it in search for some inaccuracies and grammar mistakes?

No, thank you. I am busy watching the French Open (Roland Garros) on TV. My contributions to this forum tend to be rather sporadic and I may have more time to devote to EF in late July and early August.

seroMackI could pay for your help if you want, Cool Breeze.

I do what I do for free here, thank you. By the way, you are more likely to receive replies to your questions if you don't submit long texts.

CB

SeroMack · Answer

I appreciate your help. Regards! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

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