Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[shvetsov2005]

Hello there,

I have written in an essay:

They say it is better to give a fishing line to the starving than the fish. I would extend this expression by saying that it is better to provide the poor country with means of prosperity than with the actual produce. I also consider THE education as one of the most important keys to a nation�s wealth and the most valuable aid possible. Humanitarian aid, such as food and medicine, should be saved for extreme conditions only.

I was later corrected to omit the definite article. "I also consider education.."
I thought that with the sentences above the reader should know what we are talking about and the education wouldn't be something new to introduce. Therefore I had put 'the'.

Could you explain why we should not use it?

Alexander.

[dragn]