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Nihonjeff Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Use of "The" in proper adjectives
Hello all,
I am having a minor dispute with my editor regarding the use of "The" in proper adjectives. Here's my question:
If I want to use a trademark or title which includes "The" as part of the name ("The Addams Family," "The CW") as a proper adjective, is it more correct to keep "The" or to drop it?
Example:
"Yesterday, former Addams Family star Carolyn Jones signed on to appear in the new CW sitcom."
(or)
"Yesterday, former The Addams Family star Carolyn Jones signed on to appear in the new The CW sitcom."
I know which one I think is right, but I have been Googling and scanning style guides for about an hour, but I've been unable to find guidance as to which is considered more correct. Opinions (and links to sources that I can use to support my case) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jeff
I am having a minor dispute with my editor regarding the use of "The" in proper adjectives. Here's my question:
If I want to use a trademark or title which includes "The" as part of the name ("The Addams Family," "The CW") as a proper adjective, is it more correct to keep "The" or to drop it?
Example:
"Yesterday, former Addams Family star Carolyn Jones signed on to appear in the new CW sitcom."
(or)
"Yesterday, former The Addams Family star Carolyn Jones signed on to appear in the new The CW sitcom."
I know which one I think is right, but I have been Googling and scanning style guides for about an hour, but I've been unable to find guidance as to which is considered more correct. Opinions (and links to sources that I can use to support my case) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jeff
Top answer
Hi Jeff, thanks for joining us. Welcome to English Forums. As you must know, media "journalism" has its own style of condensation and excitement.
- Hi Jeff, thanks for joining us.
- Welcome to English Forums.
- As you must know, media "journalism" has its own style of condensation and excitement.
- Your final example using "The" would sound rediculously out of style.
- If you were writing a scholarly report, you'd find a way to put it which would keep the "correct" title intact.
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3 Answers
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Hi Jeff, thanks for joining us. Welcome to English Forums.
As you must know, media "journalism" has its own style of condensation and excitement. Your final example using "The" would sound rediculously out of style.
If you were writing a scholarly report, you'd find a way to put it which would keep the "correct" title intact.
Sorry, I don't have references at the momen
As you must know, media "journalism" has its own style of condensation and excitement. Your final example using "The" would sound rediculously out of style.
If you were writing a scholarly report, you'd find a way to put it which would keep the "correct" title intact.
Sorry, I don't have references at the momen
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Welcome to English Forums!
I agree with Avangi. This sounds like journalistic style, in which the would be dropped. Besides that, it is disconcerting to the reader to find the determiner the after an adjective (former). Use
Yesterday, former Addams Family star Carolyn Jones signed on to appear in the new CW sitcom.
CJ
I agree with Avangi. This sounds like journalistic style, in which the would be dropped. Besides that, it is disconcerting to the reader to find the determiner the after an adjective (former). Use
Yesterday, former Addams Family star Carolyn Jones signed on to appear in the new CW sitcom.
CJ
00
Thanks for the thoughts! It is for journalistic writing, but my editor is a non-native English speaker, and she sometimes doesn't recognize the flexibility of the style...
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