Optional definite article before "gerund + of phrase" when written generally?

Question

Hi. Please tell me if we can either put or not put the definite article before a gerund in the form of "gerund + of phrase" when written generally. If the example sentence isn't a good sentence for my question, can you please give me your answer (based on what you think what I am trying to ask)? Thank you for your help in advance.

If you have both good and bad students in class, (the?) mixing of good and bad students can be good teaching practice.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

...(the) mixing of good and bad students can be good teaching practice.

'The' is fine there, or not.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Please tell me if the definite article is optional for the phrase "weakness of the heart" when used generally. As for the example sentence below, let's say the word "heart" means the "mind." Thank you for your help in advance.

It came about due to (the?) weakness of the heart.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymous Please tell me if the definite article is optional for the phrase "weakness of the heart" when used generally. As for the example sentence below, let's say the word "heart" means the "mind." Thank you for your help in advance.It came about due to (the?) weakness of the heart.

It is not wrong, but it sounds better without it.

Fivejedjon · Answer

AnonymousIf you have both good and bad students in class, (the?) mixing of good and bad students can be good teaching practice.

My personal practice is as follows:

Either: ... mixing good and bad students can be good teaching practice.
or: ... the mixing of good and bad students can be good teaching practice.

In the first, the -ing form is more verb-like, in the second more noun-like.

Optional definite article before "gerund + of phrase" when written generally?

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