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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Science & IT
Usage of the definite article in technical texts
Hello!
I need help on usage of the article "the" in technical papers: where to use it and where to omit. I cannot find any grammar source that teaches how to do it.
Examples:
(1) "in claim 1" vs "in the claim 1"
(2) "at position x" vs "at the position x"
(3) "the function/algorithm NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM" vs. "function/algorithm NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM"
(4) "the NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM function/algorithm" vs. "NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM function/algorithm"
Thanks in advance!
Vladimir
I need help on usage of the article "the" in technical papers: where to use it and where to omit. I cannot find any grammar source that teaches how to do it.
Examples:
(1) "in claim 1" vs "in the claim 1"
(2) "at position x" vs "at the position x"
(3) "the function/algorithm NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM" vs. "function/algorithm NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM"
(4) "the NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM function/algorithm" vs. "NAME_OF_THE_FUNCTION/ALGORITHM function/algorithm"
Thanks in advance!
Vladimir
Top answer
You can usually omit it, Vlad. You must omit it in #1 and #2.
- You can usually omit it, Vlad.
- You must omit it in #1 and #2.
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2 Answers
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You can usually omit it, Vlad. You must omit it in #1 and #2.
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No, unfortunately I don't think there is a general rule specifically for this kind of writing. Scientific writing seems to omit the definite article when it is unnecessary, i.e. when there is not obvious previous mention of the noun; but style (variety) and context often play a part.. I do a good bit of editing of journal articles and abstracts for non-native speakers, and I do indeed delete a
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