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Ryan Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Use of 'The' about body parts

I have read somewhere that we usually use 'the' when we talk about body parts, for example - 'The brain is the most important organ in the body.'

My question is: Do we also use 'the' with other body parts (in plurals) such as legs, arms, fingernails, ears, eyes, body cells, kidneys, red blood cells, etc.?

? The fingernails are made of a type of protein called keratin.
? Fingernails are made of a type of protein called keratin.

Thanks
Ryan
  

Top answer

That's such an interesting question, and I've never heard a rule about it. Clearly, the use of the article "the" with body parts is idiomatic. " And external parts do not: "ears", "toes", "teeth", "skin".

— Pedant

  • That's such an interesting question, and I've never heard a rule about it.
  • Clearly, the use of the article "the" with body parts is idiomatic.
  • " And external parts do not: "ears", "toes", "teeth", "skin".
  • " This last example suggests a rule of sorts.
  • Perhaps when the body part is considered personal, we avoid the article, but when the part is an impersonal object, we use the article: "his heart" vs.
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5 Answers
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That's such an interesting question, and I've never heard a rule about it. Clearly, the use of the article "the" with body parts is idiomatic. To answer your specific question, we say "Fingernails are made of a type of protein...." But, yes, we also say "The brain is the most important organ...." Organs seem to take the article: "the tonsils", "the lungs", "the pancreas." And external parts
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Perhaps when singular we need the article, when plural it is optional.
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I thik Mike's right, you wouldn't say "brain is made of ..." but you wuld say "brains are ..."
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I can think of at least three examples that upset your theory, Mike: "Skin is the largest organ in the human body." "Pubic hair is gross." and "Saliva makes a good lubricant."
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I love your examples Pedant!!!
(Darn , back to the theoretic drawing board)
P.S. Your attention to detail is to be admired!!!
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