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Zygis Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Definite articles
Hello,
1) Do abbreviations (like the(?) NBA, the(?) BBC and others) always come with the definite articles?
2) Do we use the definite articles before names of Companies? To my knowledge the names (Microsoft, Apple etc.) are proper nouns (or did I have to write "the proper nouns"?), so we don't use articles before them.
Thank you.
1) Do abbreviations (like the(?) NBA, the(?) BBC and others) always come with the definite articles?
2) Do we use the definite articles before names of Companies? To my knowledge the names (Microsoft, Apple etc.) are proper nouns (or did I have to write "the proper nouns"?), so we don't use articles before them.
Thank you.
Top answer
-- No. Some do and some do not. NATO does not; the EU does .
- -- No.
- Some do and some do not.
- NATO does not; the EU does .
- 2) Do we use the definite articles before names of Companies?
- -- Most do not; some do.
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5 Answers
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1) Do abbreviations (like the NBA, the BBC and others) always come with the definite articles?-- No. Some do and some do not. NATO does not; the EU does.
2) Do we use the definite articles before names of Companies? To my knowledge the names (Microsoft, Apple etc.) are proper nouns (or did I have to write "the proper nouns"?-- No), so we don't use arti
2) Do we use the definite articles before names of Companies? To my knowledge the names (Microsoft, Apple etc.) are proper nouns (or did I have to write "the proper nouns"?-- No), so we don't use arti
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Thank you. And how is it possible to know whether I have to use the definite article before abbreviations or not? Do I also have to check wikipedia or other websites?
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Yes, you'll just have to learn usage somehow - through reading or listening.
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As you have discovered, in anything but the simplest of situations, the use of articles in English is mind numbingly complex. I'm afraid the only way to deal with it is memorization and repetition.
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Names of well-known organizations typically have the definite article, and they keep it when they are abbreviated: the United Nations (the UN), the BBC, the Labour Party, the FBI, the EC.
If an abbreviation is pronounced as a word, then there is no article. So 'the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' is usually called 'OPEC'. Other e
If an abbreviation is pronounced as a word, then there is no article. So 'the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' is usually called 'OPEC'. Other e
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