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2:24 am
20/05/2010


rida

Guest

Hi,
I have no problem using the definite and indefinite articles (the, a, an), but I would like to know when not to use an article. The following example puzzles me.

Every one wants to be prime minister.

Cheers

12:06 pm
20/05/2010


Rook

Admin

posts 12

Hi Rida,

Good question. Yes, sometimes the article is omitted even when it seems grammatically necessary, as in:
She really wanted to be President.
The man who would be king.
I don't want to play second-fiddle to anybody.

Such usages are rare; they tend to be idiomatic and are automatically learnt through practice. Even in such cases - when you are in doubt - it is safe to follow the standard rules of grammar (i.e., "the President", "the king", "the second-fiddle"). Your English will be correct even though it might depart slightly from popular usage :)

Cheers

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