0
Teo Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

which is to be master

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'


We normally use a determiner before a singular countable noun. Why didn't Humpty Dumpty say, 'which is to be the master' or something else?

Thank you very much for your reply.
  

Top answer

a form of "to be" + a named role does not require "the". In this structure "to be" means "to play the role of" (which does not require "the" either). Who is going to be lead programmer on this project?

— CalifJim

  • a form of "to be" + a named role does not require "the".
  • In this structure "to be" means "to play the role of" (which does not require "the" either).
  • Who is going to be lead programmer on this project?
  • Let's play school.
  • I'll be teacher.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

6 Answers
0
a form of "to be" + a named role
does not require "the".
In this structure "to be" means "to play the role of" (which does not require "the" either).

Who is going to be lead programmer on this project?
Let's play school. I'll be teacher.
We have to make sure no one gets into this room, or the surprise party will be ruined. Can you be guard?
If we
0
0
When you say "a person is something", you can leave out "the". "With the" is more formal, though.

Google
"X is the principal of Y School":67,600
"X is principal of Y School":59,800

paco
0
0
1b001. Who is going to be 01font00the02font00 lead programmer on this project?02br
002. Let's play school. I'll be01font00 the02font00 teacher.02br
003. We have to make sure no one gets into this room, or the surprise party will be ruined. Can you be 01font
0
0
0 Yes. Those are also acceptable with "the".02br
02br
00 CJ0-
0
0
0If you have a sentence with the structure like "things are something," do you have that option of leaving out "the" while maintaining the same meaning? How would the two sentences below be different in terms of their meaning? 02br
02br
01i001. These night calls are 00acts of ***'s mercy00 for he ... 02i02br
02br
01i002. The
0
0
0Hi,02br
02br
00Is the "'to be' + a named role" form also include "can be," "should be," "could be," "will be," and "going to be" too? 0-
0

Related Questions