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Andrei Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

On Earth or on the Earth

A person recently visited Dubai. This person stayed there for about 8 weeks. It is a very warm place. She said to me Dubai is the best place on Earth.

Shouldn't it be ' Dubai is the best place on the Earth'?
  

Top answer

Although I have thought about the same question I think that "on Earth" is OK;apparently you don't have to specify by putting "the" because there is no another Earth (capital letter implies too). Though, I suppose you can write "upon the earth" - no capital letter.

— Maverick88

  • Although I have thought about the same question I think that "on Earth" is OK;apparently you don't have to specify by putting "the" because there is no another Earth (capital letter implies too).
  • Though, I suppose you can write "upon the earth" - no capital letter.
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9 Answers
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Although I have thought about the same question I think that "on Earth" is OK;apparently you don't have to specify by putting "the" because there is no another Earth (capital letter implies too).
Though, I suppose you can write "upon the earth" - no capital letter.
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"on earth" is an idiomatic expression used to complete comparative constructions. It's equivalent to the more regular "in the world". Another such expression is "in town", equivalent to "in the city".

... the best restaurant in town / in the city

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But is it correct to obviate the "the" and instead - to put capital letter
(in the word "Earth\the earth)
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Thank you! I understand now.
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AndreiA person recently visited Dubai. This person stayed there for about 8 weeks. It is a very warm place. She said to me Dubai is the best place on Earth.
Shouldn't it be ' Dubai is the best place on the Earth'?
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Compare the slogan of the now sadly defunct Ringling Bros. Circus: The Greatest Show on Earth. The expression is "on earth". "On the earth" is wrong. The BBC article refers to a different use.

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