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Mitsuo23 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
East vs the east
Hi,
Sentences below are from a dictionary or a book. Would you explain what the difference between east and the east is, or when it's okay to use "east" without the?
In the evening I used to head east.
He turned and walked away towards the east.
Which way is east?
Thank you,
m
Sentences below are from a dictionary or a book. Would you explain what the difference between east and the east is, or when it's okay to use "east" without the?
In the evening I used to head east.
He turned and walked away towards the east.
Which way is east?
Thank you,
m
Top answer
, an adverb meaning in an easterly direction , don't use "the". to go east / to head east In the evening I used to head east. ____________________ If the grammatical position requires a common noun, as when it's the object of a preposition, use "the" towards the east / in the east / from the east / to the east He turned and walked away towards the east .
- , an adverb meaning in an easterly direction , don't use "the".
- to go east / to head east In the evening I used to head east.
- ____________________ If the grammatical position requires a common noun, as when it's the object of a preposition, use "the" towards the east / in the east / from the east / to the east He turned and walked away towards the east .
- ____________________ The following is not easily explained.
- It could be taken as 'eastward' or it could be taken as a fixed expression when asking directions.
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2 Answers
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If east means 'eastward', i.e., an adverb meaning in an easterly direction, don't use "the".
to go east / to head east
In the evening I used to head east.
____________________
If the grammatical position requires a common noun, as when it's the object of a preposition, use "the"
towards the east / in the east
to go east / to head east
In the evening I used to head east.
____________________
If the grammatical position requires a common noun, as when it's the object of a preposition, use "the"
towards the east / in the east
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