"These deviations from the velocity predicted by expansion of the universe"

Question

Hi gals/guys,Please take a look at this sentence:"These deviations from the velocity predicted by (no the??) expansion of the universe.""Velocity" has a "the" because it's definite, but how come "expansion" doesn't have one? Isn't "expansion" definite too? such as "the rapid expansion of the software industry".Is it because "expansion of the universe" itself is like a compound noun, "the universe expansion"?Thanks.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

I think "the" does belong before expansion.

Starstuff · Answer

Hi grammar geek <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/> Good to see you, and good to see that you think so as well.

CalifJim · Answer

Actually, it's not a sentence. You seem to have left something out.

In any case, either with or without the the, the expression makes sense (to me).
The omission of the makes expansion more abstract.

I hear them as follows.

A.
... predicted by expansion of the universe.
... predicted by the fact that the universe is expanding.
... predicted by data associated with the fact that the universe is expanding.
... predicted by [data / facts / equations] associated with the expanding motion of the universe.

B.
... predicted by the expansion of the universe.
... predicted by the expanding (motion) of the universe

Taken very literally, B doesn't even make sense (How could a certain motion predict anything?), not that I advise taking it quite so literally! But that in mind, I think I may actually prefer this one without the the.

CJ

"These deviations from the velocity predicted by expansion of the universe"

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