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The cases where no definite article is needed
Is a definite article needed before “sleep”?Does calling an app “the Instapaper” with a definite article suggest a non-technical speaker?Redundant definite article?The use of the definite article “The”“A History of Britain”: Why the indefinite article?Using the definite article vs no articleDefinite article in front of button namesThree sentences regarding the definitive article in technical/mathematical writingDefinite Article before “Internet”Definite article usage
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
add a comment |
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
Mar 19 at 18:49
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:29
add a comment |
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
definite-articles
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked Mar 19 at 18:28
passerby51passerby51
1183
1183
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
Mar 19 at 18:49
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:29
add a comment |
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
Mar 19 at 18:49
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:29
1
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
Mar 19 at 18:49
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
Mar 19 at 18:49
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:29
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:29
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
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Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:30
add a comment |
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That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:30
add a comment |
That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:30
add a comment |
That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
answered Mar 20 at 4:50
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
2894
2894
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:30
add a comment |
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:30
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:30
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:30
add a comment |
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I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
Mar 19 at 18:49
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
Mar 20 at 18:29