"north of the earth," is this containing error?

Question

Main problem I have is about this sentence.
ex) The country is north of the Earth.

north of the earth...why does it give some silly senses?
Is the sentence wrong?

and, about expressing "south,"
1. The country is north of the equator.
2. The country is at north of the equator.
3. The country is at the north of the equator.

What differences do those "at, in, on, et cetera" make?
Between the sentences no.1 and no.2 has some differences?
And at last example with "the"?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Main problem I have is about this sentence.
ex) The country is north of the Earth.

north of the earth...why does it give some silly senses?
Is the sentence wrong?

It's correct grammar, but the meaning makes no sense.

North of Toronto means at a place that is located outside Toronto in a northerly direction.

A country that is north of the Earth means a country that is outside the Earth in a northerly direction. Do you know any countries that are outside the Earth?

Furthermore, the term 'north' only makes sense for places that are part of the Earth.

and, about expressing "south," You talk about 'south' in the same way you talk about 'north'.
1. The country is north of the equator. Fine
2. The country is at north of the equator. Not correct.
3. The country is at the north of the equator. Not correct.

What differences do those "at, in, on, et cetera" make?
Between the sentences no.1 and no.2 has some differences?
And at last example with "the"?

The use of 'north', 'south', etc. is quite idiomatic.

eg He lives north of Toronto. He lives outside Toronto.

eg He lives in north Toronto. He lives in Toronto.,

If you want to write some more sentences, I'll check them for you.

Clive

"north of the earth," is this containing error?

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