About omission of the articles

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Anonymous  #367575  Sat, 19 May 07 05:07 PM

I have 2 questions. I'd be happy if someone answer them.


(1) Omitting "the" from "the Abstract Noun" can be seen especially in phrases that have inside them the Verb-Object structure, as in "protection of nature", "lack of food" and "construction of a building". Can we always omit "the" from phrases that have inside them the Verb-Object structure? 


(2) Omitting "the" from "the Abstract Noun" can hardly be seen in phrases that have inside them the Verb-Subject structure, as in "the arrival of a train", and "the coming of a new age".

And It can hardly be seen in phrases that have inside them the Complement (Adjective)-Subject structure, as in "the importance of training", and "the value of gold".

Why can't we omit "the" from phrases that have inside them the Verb-Subject structure, or the Complement(Adjective)-Subject structure?

  
Cool Breeze  #367680  Sat, 19 May 07 09:37 PM
There isn't a single verb in the structures. Protection of nature (also known as conservation) is an abstract concept that needs no article. Lack of food sometimes has an article: a lack of food and it would be quite normal to say the construction of a building.

You ask if the can always be omitted in some cases. Words like always and never are best avoided when describing English  -  or any language  -  as there are always Smile [:)] exceptions.

CB
  
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