Trivia Questions Quiz On Conventional Use Of Articles!

Although most countries (like most proper nouns) do not take a definite article, a small selection does the UK, the USA, the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands, the Soviet Union, the Republic of China, the Czech Republic. Proper nouns are not 'rule-governed' - the people naming a country/road/monument/bridge/mountain make the decision over whether a name takes an article. But as can be seen above, most plural countries seem to use a definite article in English (and also republics and Kingdoms).

We are talking about the country here - the USA. Although most countries (like most proper nouns) do not take a definite article, a small selection does the UK, the USA, the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands, the Soviet Union, the Republic of China, the Czech Republic.

This is an idiomatic (set phrase) time expression. 'In the long term': long into the future. This normally appears at the start of a sentence, to mark the time reference: In the long term, (comma) scientists hope to develop a hydrogen driven car. It must take a definite article when used as a time reference set phrase. 'Long-term' can also be used to qualify a noun - in which case it has no definite article (I have long-term and short - term objectives).

In the long term - but a long-term relationship. 'Long-term' here is acting like an adjective, rather than a time expression set phrase. When long-term comes before a noun (to qualify it) rather than a subject preceding a verb clause, it does not have to take a definite article. It often takes a hyphen (long-term) when preceding a noun. Here, we are speaking generally so we use 'a' in a generic context (in a long-term relationship). Similar patterns: I have: a long-term plan, a long-term dream, a long-term ambition. Like most generic contexts, we could also use a plural: The number of people in long-term relationships has fallen slightly.

In the 1980s, in the 1990s, in the 1860s. Although most dates take no definite article (today), a whole decade is discussed with the definite article.

NASA's launch vehicle. UNESCO's representative, FIFA's regulations. But The EU, the WTO, the GMC. Notice that we do not use a definite article if an abbreviation is 'voiced' as a word. However, if we say the letters separately (G-M-C) a definite article is normally used.

In the short term, profit was maximized. Short-term profit maximization has become more important than sustainable growth. 'Short-term' here is acting more like an adjective than a time expression set phrase (In THE short term v short-term + noun). When short-term comes before a noun (to qualify it) rather than a subject preceding a verb clause, it does not have to take a definite article. It often takes a hyphen (long-term) when preceding a noun. Here, the head noun is 'maximization' - a non-count noun, so no article is required.

This is an idiomatic (set phrase) time expression. 'In the long term': long into the future. This normally appears at the start of a sentence, to mark the time reference: In the long term, (comma) scientists hope to develop a hydrogen driven car. It must take a definite article when used as a time reference set phrase.

I live in the UK. But I'm governed by UK law.
When used to classify another noun (like an adjective), a county will NOT use an article: UK law, US politicians, Caribbean Islands.

When used to classify another noun (here the head noun is 'politics'), a county will NOT use an article: UK law, US politicians, Caribbean Islands.