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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

The + abstract noun question

I've been reading up on the usage rules of "the" and noticed that BBC webpage notes: "abstract nouns are fully qualified when they are followed by a defining relative clause (introduced by who/which/that) or by the preposition of + noun phrase. Under these circumstances, the before the abstract noun is normally required."

So let's say in the sentence below I qualify the abstract noun "creativity" with "of John" (i.e. "creativity of John"), then "The" must precede "creativity", as in "The creativity of John flows through...". Is that correct?

"Creativity flows through the passage, as one sentence builds on another."

Also in the first sentence of this post, was it meant to be "the BBC webpage" instead of just "BBC webpage", or maybe even "a BBC webpage"? Why is each correct or incorrect? (I can't believe I'm still having difficulty with "the" after so many years).
  

Top answer

". Is that correct? " Anonymous was it meant to be "the BBC webpage" Yes, you need "the" here.

— MalRey

  • ".
  • Is that correct?
  • " Anonymous was it meant to be "the BBC webpage" Yes, you need "the" here.
  • I wouldn't use "a" because you have specified which webpage you are talking about (in general terms, to be sure, but specified nevertheless).
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1 Answers
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Anonymous"The creativity of John flows through...". Is that correct?
Yes, it's correct but it's much more natural to say "John's creativity."
Anonymouswas it meant to be "the BBC webpage"
Yes, you need "the" here. I wouldn't use "a" because you have specified which webpage you are talking about (in general terms, to be sure,
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