Arthrous
In relation to grammar, arthrous simply means with a grammatical article.[1]
In particular, an arthrous proper noun is one that starts with a definite article (the), in contrast to anarthrous proper nouns that do not.
The term anarthrous is also used in relation to modifying phrases by removing their leading articles; see false title.
Proper nouns in English
In English the overwhelming majority of proper nouns are anarthrous; speakers generally memorise the article as if it were part of the name. [2]
Inclusion
The definite article may be included in:
- placenames (The Hague, The Andes, The UK)
- significant historical events (The Black Death, The Moon Landing)
- names of some well-known mathematical statements (The Four Colour Theorem, The Collatz Conjecture)
- terms that could be taken as purely descriptive phrases, but have acquired specific idiomatic references; this especially applies to
- political functions (The White House
- phrases that indicate a comprehensive collection, starting with terms like united or union (The UN, The US)
- the current incumbent of a titular role (The Dean of Westminster, The Governor-general of a particular country)
Avoidance
The names of individual persons, animals are generally anarthrous.
Names vs titles
The term arthrous is not normally applied to the titles of narrative creative works even when they do start with a grammatical article (The Day the Earth Stood Still, A Clockwork Orange, Some Like It Hot); this is in contrast with the names of architectural creative works. (The Chrysler Building, The Taj Mahal)
Elision
Even normally arthrous proper names may have the definite article omitted when used adjectivally (White House aides), or in headlines, titles, or citations; in particular, the titles of articles on Wikipedia.
Other usage
Anarthrous may describe appellations, names, or titles that are constructed by removal of the leading article from ordinary descriptive phrases. This is found in folk tales (Red Riding Hood, Snow White) and as call signs in some cultures or organisations (Red Baron, Team Leader).
Where such a title is dubious or contested, it may be referred to as a false title.
References
- ↑ Stevens, Gerald (2009-04-30). New Testament Greek Intermediate: From Morphology to Translation. James Clarke & Company Limited. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-7188-4203-1. Search this book on
- ↑ Not clear whether this should be marked as [citation needed] or WP:BLUE
External links
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