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Zygis Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Earth or the Earth?

Hi all,

Some time ago in one particular book I found that we use the definite articles before planets, but in another book I came across to a passage where planets' names are written without the definite articles. (Venus, Earth, etc.)

So I wonder whether we have to use 'the' before planets or not?

And is it he same with stars? Is it the Sun or just Sun? Maybe both of them are allowed?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Inconsistency is the rule here. The names of planets have no articles in scientific texts: Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Venus etc. No article is used in some fixed expressions either: What on earth do you mean?

— Cool Breeze

  • Inconsistency is the rule here.
  • The names of planets have no articles in scientific texts: Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Venus etc.
  • No article is used in some fixed expressions either: What on earth do you mean?
  • ) In other contexts the article is often used: The spaceship is returning to the earth.
  • CB
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1 Answers
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Inconsistency is the rule here. The names of planets have no articles in scientific texts: Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Venus etc. No article is used in some fixed expressions either: What on earth do you mean? (No capital.) In other contexts the article is often used: The spaceship is returning to the earth.

CB
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