Question

18 Explain the use or absence of the article with proper names in the following sentences. 1) Sally learns Spanish because she is going to Madrid next summer. 2) The Taylors live in Bridge Street. 3) The speech of the President impressed everybody. 4) I have just read the article about the Dominican Republic. 5) The Moon can be seen at night. 6) Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837. 7) Sheila speaks French so well because she lived in France some years ago. 8) The Germans are punctual and disciplined people.​

Answer 1

1. Sally learns Spanish because she is going to Madrid next summer.

• No article is used before the proper name "Madrid" because it is a specific city, and the name itself is already definite. It is clear which Madrid is being referred to, so an article is not necessary.

2. The Taylors live in Bridge Street.

• The definite article "The" is used before the proper name "Taylors" to refer to a specific family known as "The Taylors." This indicates that the speaker is referring to a particular group of people who live in Bridge Street.

3. The speech of the President impressed everybody.

• The definite article "The" is used before the title "President" to refer to a specific president whose speech is being discussed. It implies that there is only one president being referred to, and the speech is associated with that particular individual.

4. I have just read the article about the Dominican Republic.

• The definite article "the" is used before the proper name "Dominican Republic" because it refers to a specific country. The article indicates that the speaker is referring to a particular article that provides information about the Dominican Republic.

5. The Moon can be seen at night.

• The definite article "The" is used before the proper noun "Moon" because it refers to a specific celestial body that we are familiar with. It implies that there is only one Moon, and it can be seen at night.

6. Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837.

• No article is used before the proper name "Queen Victoria" because it refers to a specific historical figure. Queen Victoria is a unique and well-known person, so an article is not needed.

7. Sheila speaks French so well because she lived in France some years ago.

• No article is used before the proper name "France" because it refers to a specific country. The name itself is already definite, so an article is not required.

8. The Germans are punctual and disciplined people.

• The definite article "The" is used before the proper noun "Germans" to refer to a specific group of people, the German population as a whole. It implies that the speaker is making a general statement about Germans as a nationality.

Answer 2

The use or absence of the article with proper names in the given sentences follows the general rules of article usage in English:

1. Sally learns Spanish because she is going to Madrid next summer.

   • "Madrid" is a specific city, so it does not require an article.

2. The Taylors live in Bridge Street.

   • "Bridge Street" is a specific street, and "The Taylors" refers to a specific family, so "The" is used with both.

3. The speech of the President impressed everybody.

   • "The President" is referring to a specific president, so "The" is used. However, "speech" is a general noun, so it does not require an article.

4. I have just read the article about the Dominican Republic.

   • "The Dominican Republic" is a specific country, so "The" is used. "Article" is a specific noun in this context, so it also takes an article.

5. The Moon can be seen at night.

   • "The Moon" is referring to the specific celestial body, so "The" is used.

6. Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837.

   • "Queen Victoria" is a specific queen, so no article is needed for her name. "Throne" and "1837" are general nouns, so they do not require articles.

7. Sheila speaks French so well because she lived in France some years ago.

   • "Sheila" is a specific person, so no article is needed for her name. "France" is a specific country, so it does not require an article.

8. The Germans are punctual and disciplined people.

   • "The Germans" is referring to the specific nationality of people, so "The" is used. "People" is a general noun in this context, so it does not require an article.