"the" CJ!

Question

Hi,Could you please explain (the) usages of "the"? There was a discussion about "the". I have problem to using "the" specially in technical essays. I would appreciate it if you could teach me how to be sure when I should use "the".I mentioned CJ, because we thought that(the link above) this topic needs CJ type explanation.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Sorry, but there is no CJ explanation when it comes to articles.

As was already said on the other thread, there are many times when multiple choices are all correct and make sense. You can often use either "the" or "a", for example, and it won't make a lot of difference.

Very generally, though, we use "the" when we believe we are specifying something so uniquely that no one will have to ask "Which one are you talking about?"

If I say, "Put the chicken in the oven", it's because I know that you know which chicken I'm talking about. There is only one chicken it could be. And I know that you know which oven I'm talking about. There is only one oven it could be. When I say that, I am sure that you will not ask, "Which chicken?" or "Which oven?" because those things will be obvious to you.

So, in general, the word "the" is related to the question word "which". If it is already clear (to those you are communicating with) which thing you're talking about, you can use "the".

CJ

USF · Answer

No CJ explanation?!!

Thanks CJ.

In cases that we can use both, which one is more appropriate?
e.g. "In Figure 1, distribution of temperature is uniform." or "In Figure 1, the distribution of the temperature is uniform."
In technical essay(paper) I think we can use less"the" than normal text!
Can I have your opinion?

CalifJim · Answer

youzouIn a technical paper I think we can use fewer "the"s than in normal text!

I agree. (But there's no harm in including the "the"s either.)

CJ

USF · Answer

Thanks for your reply, but I feel that the text is writen by immature scientist. I sensed that not using "the" is more natural for those texts. But could you explain why is that? The feeling that you get when you are reading each of them.

CalifJim · Answer

youzouI sensed that not using "the" is more natural for those texts. But could you explain why is that?

I suppose scientists like to be very efficient so they abbreviate wherever possible. I have no special insight into the minds of scientists!

CJ

USF · Answer

Thanks <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'/>

"the" CJ!

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions