Proper noun and article

Question

When do we use an article before a proper noun?We would not say "The Mary is happy today", but we say "The Bank of America is open today"Why the difference?Please reply to Email Removed

Tanit · Accepted Answer

Hi,

This explanation is simple and nice.

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/nouns-proper_2.htm%20

Proper nouns with "the"

Ivanhr · Answer

The rules governing the use of articles with proper nouns are complex and there are still many exceptions. A complete overview of article usage with proper nouns is beyond the scope of a forum post but here are a few guidelines that might be of help.

1) People's names are normally not preceded by an article unless

a) you want to differentiate between people having the same name ) so as to avoid possible confusion)

Is that John Smith, the car mechanic?

No, that's the John Smith who married my sister.

b) when using a person's name as the personification of a particular characteristic

We'll need a Harry Houdini to get us out of this mess. (= only people as adroit as Harry Houdini can get us out of this mess; the sentence isn't about the real Harry Houdini at all)

2) with mountain chains you should use "the" (the Alps, the Himalayas, the Rocky Mouintains,) but with individual mountains peaks no article is required (Mount Everest, Mont Blanc, Mt. McKinley). One exception to this rule is the Matterhorn.

3) with city/country names no article is needed, however, there are exceptions (the Netherlands, the Philippines, the Hague)

4) with rivers, seas, oceans "the" is required (the Pacific, the Amazon, the Adriatic sea)

5) With lakes, no article is needed unless referring to a group of lakes (the Great Lakes)

6) With international institutions or organizations "the" is usually needed (the UN, the Bank of Scotland, the FBI)

7) With companies no article is normally needed (Google, Exxon, Nestle, T-Com)

Proper noun and article

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