Hello,
Could anyone read the following sentences and tell me whether "the" should be used in front of the underlined phrases or not.
1. This webquest is for ESL students who are interested in Chinese culture.
2. You will get lots of information about the Chinese astrology and the legend of the Chinese zodiac.
3. The main purpose of this quest is to introduce the Chinese zodiac to the readers.
Are there any rules for the use of "the" relating to noun phrases like "Chinese culture" and "Chinese zodiac"?
Thank you!
the use of the definite article "the"
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LarryLatham
- Posts: 1195
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Hello tinayng,
I don't believe it is so much a matter of 'rules', but rather a sense, within the context of use, of whether definiteness is required. I'm sure you are aware that the is called the definite article because it is used to point to (or determine) a specific instance of the noun phrase that follows.
Sometimes, as for example with noun phrases like "Chinese culture", use of a definite article is usually redundant or not necessary, because there are presumably not a number of Chinese cultures from which we need to specify a single one. We can simply say, "Chinese culture", and everyone knows what we mean. On the other hand, in certain contextual situations, this may not represent the point of view of the user. She may be talking, for example, about the culture of Hong Kong, and how it differs from that of Beijing or Shanghai. She may, in other words, be pointing out that there really are many "Chinese cultures", and then, wishing to refer to one of them, might say something like: "The Chinese culture in Hong Kong is..."
However, in a case of a noun phrase like "legend", one can safely assume that there are many legends. A user can specify it, then, by using "the" in front of it, and even more by modifying it with a prepositional phrase serving as an adjective to describe which legend she means..."the legend of the Chinese zodiac."
The reason rules don't really apply, is that every speaking situation is different to a great enough degree that it is a momentary decision on part of the user that determines whether "the" is necessary or not as a practical matter to achieve the greatest clarity of meaning. There are many situations where either way is clear, and common:
Many stars can be seen from Earth.
Many stars can be seen from the Earth.
Hope this is helpful.
Larry Latham
I don't believe it is so much a matter of 'rules', but rather a sense, within the context of use, of whether definiteness is required. I'm sure you are aware that the is called the definite article because it is used to point to (or determine) a specific instance of the noun phrase that follows.
Sometimes, as for example with noun phrases like "Chinese culture", use of a definite article is usually redundant or not necessary, because there are presumably not a number of Chinese cultures from which we need to specify a single one. We can simply say, "Chinese culture", and everyone knows what we mean. On the other hand, in certain contextual situations, this may not represent the point of view of the user. She may be talking, for example, about the culture of Hong Kong, and how it differs from that of Beijing or Shanghai. She may, in other words, be pointing out that there really are many "Chinese cultures", and then, wishing to refer to one of them, might say something like: "The Chinese culture in Hong Kong is..."
However, in a case of a noun phrase like "legend", one can safely assume that there are many legends. A user can specify it, then, by using "the" in front of it, and even more by modifying it with a prepositional phrase serving as an adjective to describe which legend she means..."the legend of the Chinese zodiac."
The reason rules don't really apply, is that every speaking situation is different to a great enough degree that it is a momentary decision on part of the user that determines whether "the" is necessary or not as a practical matter to achieve the greatest clarity of meaning. There are many situations where either way is clear, and common:
Many stars can be seen from Earth.
Many stars can be seen from the Earth.
Hope this is helpful.
Larry Latham
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Andrew Patterson
- Posts: 922
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2004 7:59 pm
- Location: Poland
- Contact:
Actually the rules coverning the English articles have been very well formulated, and there is a "rule" for every case. The trouble is there are between 27-30 rules depending on whether you regard some rules as part a), b) and c) etc, of the same rule.
I haven't got time now but I will list them if you like. You are right that sometimes it is optional, but there is a rule for that too.
The problem with this approach, however, is that that's a heck of a large number of rules to remember. Luckily, it is possible to introduce the rules in manageable chunks and most textbooks do.
We should not lose site of the fact that as EFL teacher, we are there to teach English, not Grammar. At the end of the day, students will make their final choices because they have a "feel" for the rules.
I haven't got time now but I will list them if you like. You are right that sometimes it is optional, but there is a rule for that too.
The problem with this approach, however, is that that's a heck of a large number of rules to remember. Luckily, it is possible to introduce the rules in manageable chunks and most textbooks do.
We should not lose site of the fact that as EFL teacher, we are there to teach English, not Grammar. At the end of the day, students will make their final choices because they have a "feel" for the rules.
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Stephen Jones
- Posts: 1421
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2003 5:25 pm
Articles seem obvious to the native English speaker and cause no end of grief for learners from languages where they do not exist or the system is radically different.
The fact that the foreign languages most English speakers learn, French, Spanish or German, have basically the same pattern of article use doesn't help.
With regard to the particular sentences the second one should be
2. You will get lots of information about Chinese astrology and the legend of the Chinese zodiac.
We don't put 'the' before academic, or not so academic, subjects - Astrology, Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics etc
I tend to agree with Andrew on this one.. There is not that much discretion involved, but the list of rules is long, and I would have to look it up in a book.
The fact that the foreign languages most English speakers learn, French, Spanish or German, have basically the same pattern of article use doesn't help.
With regard to the particular sentences the second one should be
2. You will get lots of information about Chinese astrology and the legend of the Chinese zodiac.
We don't put 'the' before academic, or not so academic, subjects - Astrology, Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics etc
I tend to agree with Andrew on this one.. There is not that much discretion involved, but the list of rules is long, and I would have to look it up in a book.
Thanks a lot!
Thank you, LarryLatham, Andrew, and Stephen!
You guys did a good job. I agree that native speakers largely depend on "sense" rather than "rules" with the use of the articles. But as English learners, we often have to rely on the rules because we haven't got the sense yet. The problem for that is that rules often differ in different contexts, so that's why articles cause "no end of grief" for learners.
Your explanations on the specific sentences are very helpful. Thanks again.
You guys did a good job. I agree that native speakers largely depend on "sense" rather than "rules" with the use of the articles. But as English learners, we often have to rely on the rules because we haven't got the sense yet. The problem for that is that rules often differ in different contexts, so that's why articles cause "no end of grief" for learners.
Your explanations on the specific sentences are very helpful. Thanks again.