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Angliholic Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Northern/north Taiwan
I live in northern/north Taiwan.
Hi,
I know "northern Taiwan" is the correct expression, but could you explain why "north Taiwan" doesn't fly in the above? Thanks.
Hi,
I know "northern Taiwan" is the correct expression, but could you explain why "north Taiwan" doesn't fly in the above? Thanks.
Top answer
Dear Angiholic, The suffix "-ern" makes the word "North" into an adjective. An adjective describes a noun. The word "North" is a noun.
- Dear Angiholic, The suffix "-ern" makes the word "North" into an adjective.
- An adjective describes a noun.
- The word "North" is a noun.
- It is a thing.
- e.
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3 Answers
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Dear Angiholic,
The suffix "-ern" makes the word "North" into an adjective. An adjective describes a noun. The word "North" is a noun. It is a thing. That's why you might put a "the" in front of it sometimes, i.e. "In the north, we wear warmer clothes."
When you say Northern Taiwan, you are describing the part of Taiwan in which you live.
The suffix "-ern" makes the word "North" into an adjective. An adjective describes a noun. The word "North" is a noun. It is a thing. That's why you might put a "the" in front of it sometimes, i.e. "In the north, we wear warmer clothes."
When you say Northern Taiwan, you are describing the part of Taiwan in which you live.
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Hi,
'Northern' is an adjective.
'North' is a noun, eg Eskimos live in the North. It is also an adjective, eg a north wind.
Names tend to be somwhat idiomatic. eg We say eg Northern Ireland but North Korea.
Here in Toronto, I say 'I live in North Toronto', but I also say 'I live in Southern Ontario'.
Best wishes, Clive
'Northern' is an adjective.
'North' is a noun, eg Eskimos live in the North. It is also an adjective, eg a north wind.
Names tend to be somwhat idiomatic. eg We say eg Northern Ireland but North Korea.
Here in Toronto, I say 'I live in North Toronto', but I also say 'I live in Southern Ontario'.
Best wishes, Clive
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I would just like to add to what others have said that the noun is almost invariably used in names of areas that have clearly marked geographical confines - in other words the names of countries and continents, for example: North Korea, West Germany (no longer exists), South America.
CB
CB
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