Noun dilemma

Question

Hi. Please help with these noun-related questions.

1. When do we use the word "earth" and "the earth" in small letters (like "on earth" and "on the earth"?

2. Could we write a sentence like this, where I think the pronoun "everyone" is referred to as a noun in a plural sense.

Everyone is friends/brothers to them.

Does it have to be "Everyone is a friend/a brother to them."

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymous1. When do we use the word "earth" and "the earth" in small letters (like "on earth" and "on the earth"?

I always use it in small letters, but I've noticed that some people believe that it should sometimes be capitalized. I will be waiting for the answer myself.

Anonymous2. Could we write a sentence like this, where I think the pronoun "everyone" is referred to as a noun in a plural sense.
Everyone is friends/brothers to them.
Does it have to be "Everyone is a friend/a brother to them."

Only friends with can be used like that.

Everyone is friends with them.

Everyone is a brother to them.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you. As to the number one question, why do you think we use the phrase "on earth" or "on the earth" in sentences? As for what is given below, let us say the noun which precedes the verb "is" a pronoun that refers to a person.

eg,

... is the only agency working on the earth (could it be "on earth"?) today.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymousthe noun which precedes the verb "is" a pronoun that refers to a person.
eg,
... is the only agency working on the earth (could it be "on earth"?) today.

An agency is a group of people so a person can't be the subject here.

I'd say

This is the only agency of its kind in the world.

____________________

on earth is used to intensify question words.

Where on earth did you get that idea?

How on earth do you expect me to do that?

Why on earth would she say such a thing?

CJ

Cool Breeze · Answer

CalifJimI always use it in small letters, but I've noticed that some people believe that it should sometimes be capitalized. I will be waiting for the answer myself.

In science the official name of our planet is Earth. The names of all the planets are capitalized in scientific contexts: Venus is sometimes considered Earth's sister planet.

CB

CalifJim · Answer

Cool BreezeThe names of all the planets are capitalized in scientific contexts

That makes sense, but I've seen on this forum recommendations that earth be capitalized even in non-planetary contexts.

Rainfall is absorbed by the Earth.

Earthquakes are caused by movements of the Earth's crust.

Really? They may be scientific, but I don't sense that they are planetary references.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you. I am sure I meant to say what precedes the verb "is" is the Holy Spirit. I think we can call Him a person.I also think you are correct in saying that the word "agency" refers to/means a group of people (is that right?). As to the main question, I think what I am confused about is when it is correct to use the phrase "on the earth" and "on earth," one with the definite article "the" and the other without? I tend to think the word "earth" as sort of an uncountable noun or more akin to a name like "John Doe," which, I think, is likely to be misguided.

Anyway, could you help me with the dilemma I presented?

Cool Breeze · Answer

CalifJimRainfall is absorbed by the Earth.
Earthquakes are caused by movements of the Earth's crust.
Really? They may be scientific, but I don't sense that they are planetary references.

Your examples are certainly not planetary references to my mind. The most important criterion is that the names of the planets do not take an article in scientific contexts. There's no such thing as the Jupiter, the Neptune or the Mars.

CB

Cool Breeze · Answer

AnonymousAs to the main question, I think what I am confused about is when it is correct to use the phrase "on the earth" and "on earth," one with the definite article "the" and the other without?

I don't think I can offer a hard and fast rule for all situations but the article is never used in this sense:

What on earth did he say?

What on earth do you mean?

I would consider the article optional in many contexts which are more concrete: These animals were the very first reptiles on [the] earth.

CB

Holyduke · Answer

Hi,

I pulled an article from NASA,

"The IAU Style Manual recommends that astronomical objects be treated linguistically as proper nouns. This means we capitalize Sun (out local star), Earth(our planet), Moon (Earth's natural satellite), and Solar System (ours), further, these words are not proceeded by "the" any more than we would say "the Jupiter". This use is consistent with Betelgeuse (a star), Neptune (a planet), Titan (a moon of Saturn), P/Halley (a periodic comet), and 1 Ceres (an asteriod), Milky Way (our galaxy), and Universe (the only one we know for sure). I know saying "Sun" instead of "the sun" can be awkward, but there are ways of working it, such as saying "our Sun".

The use of "moon" to refer to natural satellites other than Earth' satellite is a general term and not capitalized. The same is true of other suns (although "other stars" is more accurate) and other solar systems (or "stellar systems" -- especially since many have two stars in the system). When not referrring to Sun, Earth, and Moon as astronomical objects, the above guidelines don't necessarily apply. For example, if I'm talking about lights in the sky, I may say "the sun rose" or "the moon was full". Perhaps the whole earth would be grateful for an end to famine; I also dig in the earth (dirt or soil) when I'm gardening.

Most American style manuals, particularly those of newspapers and non-scientific journals, still specify use of "the sun", "the moon", "the solar system" and such, even when referring to astronomical objects. For this course, the IAU style is preferred, but both styles are acceptable. In formal writing (study guides and lesson plans), please use one style consistently."

(Source: NASA/MSU-Bozeman CERES Project)

Hope this clear things up.

CalifJim · Answer

holydukeMost American style manuals, particularly those of newspapers and non-scientific journals, still specify use of "the sun", "the moon", "the solar system" and such, even when referring to astronomical objects.

That's fine with me and what I prefer, so I won't be capitalizing these terms. Thank you.

CJ

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