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Kilimanjaro Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Where does "The" belong to?

The doctor's wife eloped with a rich man.

Which noun does "The" before the (noun's + noun) structure belong to?

"doctor" or "wife"?. Is it always the same with other "The+ noun's + noun" forms.

The ladies' room

The teacher's pet

etc..
  

Top answer

Interesting question, Kili. -- The wife doesn't need an article, since each doctor only has one (we hope) I left my purse in the lady's room at school vs I left my purse in a lady's room somewhere during the trip . -- A specific one vs one of many possible ones.

— Mister Micawber

  • Interesting question, Kili.
  • -- The wife doesn't need an article, since each doctor only has one (we hope) I left my purse in the lady's room at school vs I left my purse in a lady's room somewhere during the trip .
  • -- A specific one vs one of many possible ones.
  • Lady's rooms also tend to be generic, like trains, etc: I left it on the train (though which train is not actually specified).
  • He's the teacher's pet vs He's a teacher's pet -- The former is a specific teacher or only one pet, while the latter is a non-specific teacher or the teacher has several pets; only context will disambiguate this for us.
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1 Answers
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Interesting question, Kili.

The doctor's wife eloped vs A doctor's wife called today.-- The wife doesn't need an article, since each doctor only has one (we hope)

I left my purse in the lady's room at school vs I left my purse in a lady's room somewhere during the trip. -- A specific one vs one of many poss
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