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Nina_Nia Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Zodiac

Hello,

What is the rule for using 'the' before 12 in this sentence?

'The twelve signs of zodiac.'

Thanks
  

Top answer

The zodiac happens to have exactly 12 signs and you refer to these signs as "the twelve signs of the zodiac". This construction is the same as "the 50 states of the US". If you wish to refer to fewer zodiac signs, then it's ok to say Five signs of the zodiac were mentioned.

— Ivanhr

  • The zodiac happens to have exactly 12 signs and you refer to these signs as "the twelve signs of the zodiac".
  • This construction is the same as "the 50 states of the US".
  • If you wish to refer to fewer zodiac signs, then it's ok to say Five signs of the zodiac were mentioned.
  • (the listener doesn't know which five zodiac signs) or The five signs of the zodiac were mentioned.
  • (the listener knows which five zodiac signs)
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1 Answers
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The zodiac happens to have exactly 12 signs and you refer to these signs as "the twelve signs of the zodiac". This construction is the same as "the 50 states of the US". If you wish to refer to fewer zodiac signs, then it's ok to say

Five signs of the zodiac were mentioned. (the listener doesn't know which five zodiac signs)
or
The five signs of the zodiac were mentioned. (the li
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