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Velimir Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Definite article with the appositive
Hello everyone,
I've noticed that when a noun precedes another (proper) noun, as a designation of that following proper noun, like a profession of a person or similar, giving a closer desription or classification of the following proper noun, the definite article is not used, as in the following examples:
"This copy is signed by author John Updike directly on the front end page"
"Recently we have seen actor George Clooney make fun of Charlton Heston's bout with Alzheimers' Disease."
"Michael's time on that last leg of the race is under 42:23 right up there with winner John Nichols time under 43:12."
I find the definite article used in such situations too, though much less, according to google searches:
"How many roles did the actor John Wayne have ?"
"He placed third (24:31:08) behind the winner John Livingston (22:56:59) in Waco NX7572."
It seems that both usages are well represented in the english language, and I'd say that the option with the definite article left out is more common. Am I correct about this?
As I understand this point, the definite article is more often used when the order is inverse, and the proper noun precedes the designation given by the other noun, i.e:
"George Clooney, the actor, and father Nick Clooney, the journalist, will roll out a new film documentary about the crisis in Darfur."
and I understand that similar is with the use of the indefinite article:
"Democrats have blocked a vote on the nomination of Bolton, a deputy secretary of state"who has been accused of bullying staff.."
Thank you for the answers
I've noticed that when a noun precedes another (proper) noun, as a designation of that following proper noun, like a profession of a person or similar, giving a closer desription or classification of the following proper noun, the definite article is not used, as in the following examples:
"This copy is signed by author John Updike directly on the front end page"
"Recently we have seen actor George Clooney make fun of Charlton Heston's bout with Alzheimers' Disease."
"Michael's time on that last leg of the race is under 42:23 right up there with winner John Nichols time under 43:12."
I find the definite article used in such situations too, though much less, according to google searches:
"How many roles did the actor John Wayne have ?"
"He placed third (24:31:08) behind the winner John Livingston (22:56:59) in Waco NX7572."
It seems that both usages are well represented in the english language, and I'd say that the option with the definite article left out is more common. Am I correct about this?
As I understand this point, the definite article is more often used when the order is inverse, and the proper noun precedes the designation given by the other noun, i.e:
"George Clooney, the actor, and father Nick Clooney, the journalist, will roll out a new film documentary about the crisis in Darfur."
and I understand that similar is with the use of the indefinite article:
"Democrats have blocked a vote on the nomination of Bolton, a deputy secretary of state"who has been accused of bullying staff.."
Thank you for the answers
Top answer
It seems that both usages are well represented in the english language, and I'd say that the option with the definite article left out is more common. Am I correct about this? I'd say you probably are.
- It seems that both usages are well represented in the english language, and I'd say that the option with the definite article left out is more common.
- Am I correct about this?
- I'd say you probably are.
- For what it's worth I find the version without an article easier on the ear.
- As I understand this point, the definite article is more often used when the order is inverse, and the proper noun precedes the designation given by the other noun, and I understand that similar is with the use of the indefinite article: Also probably true.
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6 Answers
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It seems that both usages are well represented in the english language, and I'd say that the option with the definite article left out is more common. Am I correct about this?
I'd say you probably are. For what it's worth I find the version without an article easier on the ear.
As I understand this point, the
I'd say you probably are. For what it's worth I find the version without an article easier on the ear.
As I understand this point, the
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I believe that all your observations are accurate.
Usages like actor George Clooney are more journalistic.
Usages like the actor George Clooney are more conversational.
Those are my guesses anyway.
Usages like actor George Clooney are more journalistic.
Usages like the actor George Clooney are more conversational.
Those are my guesses anyway.
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In the following sentence, "George Clooney, the actor, will roll out a new film documentary about the crisis in Darfur."
Doesn't the use of the definite article suggest that George Clooney is the only actor rather than an actor?
Doesn't the use of the definite article suggest that George Clooney is the only actor rather than an actor?
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AnonymousDoesn't the use of the definite article suggest that George Clooney is the only actor rather than an actor?It means that there might be more than one person named "George Clooney" in the world, but there is only one who is a well-known actor. That is the person that the writer is talking about.
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