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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Need of Definite Article

Hello All,

Can you explain to me why the following sentence from a control tower to a pilot always doesn't need a definite article.

Are you ready for (the )departure?

Thanks!!!

Regards,
Tom
  

Top answer

'Departure' is an uncountable noun there, a process.

— Mister Micawber

  • 'Departure' is an uncountable noun there, a process.
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4 Answers
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'Departure' is an uncountable noun there, a process.
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Dear Mister,

Thanks for your reply. I understood that "departure" is a process, but it was a specific process as both the control tower and the pilot knew that the plane was about to leave at a certain point in time. I hope you can elaborate more for me.

Many thanks!

Tom
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Anonymousbut it was a specific process as both the control tower and the pilot knew that the plane was about to leave at a certain point in time.
That does not matter.

In the space program, they say. "We are ready for launch." That means they are ready to initiate the process of launching... 5-4-3-2-1, ignition, etc..

Contrast with this:
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Thanks for your detailed explanation.
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