Using "The" with proper nouns
Proper nouns are names of specific people or things. Usually, they are recognised by the first letter of the word being written with capital letters. All nouns that are not proper nouns are known as common nouns. Some proper nouns require definite article, while some do not. Here some guidelines:
1. Those that no definite article is required: Names of Persons, days, months and festivals; religions; certain geographical features [towns, and other place names, most countries, continents, lakes, islands, mountains, hills, states and provinces; prominent features of towns [streets, buildings, bridges, parks, e.t.c.]; most planets and stars; magazines.
2. Those that definite article is required: Titles [where personal name is not also given]; a few countries and political organizations; oceans, rivers, deserts, hill and mountain ranges; newspapers; hotels.
3. Educational institutions: The name of educational institution usually has two parts: a noun such as school, university, etc., and a description such as Government Secondary. If this description comes after the noun, The must be used; and if the description comes before the noun, The is normally not used. Common errors in this area include the following:
Country: Wrong: Lusaka is the capital of the Zambia.
Correct: Lusaka is the capital of Zambia. State Wrong: Petroleum is found in some parts of the Delta state. Correct: Petroleum is found in some parts of Delta state. Religion Wrong: The Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Correct: Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. street Wrong: Let us go for a stroll along the Stadium Street. Correct: Let us go for a stroll along Stadium Street.
Airport: Wrong: Our plane will soon land at the Murtala Muhammad Airport.
Correct: Our plane will soon land at Murtala Muhammad Airport. continent Wrong: He spent many years in the North America. Correct: He spent many years in North America. More examples next edition insha Allaah.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited