Why adding the article “the” when it is not needed?












1















There are many sentences, most are titles, that have the before nouns when they seem okay without it. I assume it is added to over-define them but not very sure.



Here is a title that uses "the" excessively:




GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




"People" by itself is defined and doesn't need an article.



And here is another title that has the same issue:




About the Java Technology




So, why it is added?










share|improve this question























  • I think the second example may just be poor writing. The very next sentence is, "Java technology is both a programming language and a platform."

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • I find it the same as writing an article with a title like: "Let's talk about the weather". And then defining the weather -for some reasons- like this: Weather is climate conditions...etc. It wouldn't be: The weather is climate...etc

    – Tasneem Zh
    8 hours ago











  • Maybe, except that "talk about the weather" has a specific idiomatic meaning. For example, if I say it rained in my town yesterday, I am talking about the weather. If it were normal to say, "The Java technology was particularly fine today," then "talking about the weather" would be a proper analogy for talking "about the Java technology."

    – David K
    6 hours ago


















1















There are many sentences, most are titles, that have the before nouns when they seem okay without it. I assume it is added to over-define them but not very sure.



Here is a title that uses "the" excessively:




GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




"People" by itself is defined and doesn't need an article.



And here is another title that has the same issue:




About the Java Technology




So, why it is added?










share|improve this question























  • I think the second example may just be poor writing. The very next sentence is, "Java technology is both a programming language and a platform."

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • I find it the same as writing an article with a title like: "Let's talk about the weather". And then defining the weather -for some reasons- like this: Weather is climate conditions...etc. It wouldn't be: The weather is climate...etc

    – Tasneem Zh
    8 hours ago











  • Maybe, except that "talk about the weather" has a specific idiomatic meaning. For example, if I say it rained in my town yesterday, I am talking about the weather. If it were normal to say, "The Java technology was particularly fine today," then "talking about the weather" would be a proper analogy for talking "about the Java technology."

    – David K
    6 hours ago
















1












1








1


1






There are many sentences, most are titles, that have the before nouns when they seem okay without it. I assume it is added to over-define them but not very sure.



Here is a title that uses "the" excessively:




GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




"People" by itself is defined and doesn't need an article.



And here is another title that has the same issue:




About the Java Technology




So, why it is added?










share|improve this question














There are many sentences, most are titles, that have the before nouns when they seem okay without it. I assume it is added to over-define them but not very sure.



Here is a title that uses "the" excessively:




GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




"People" by itself is defined and doesn't need an article.



And here is another title that has the same issue:




About the Java Technology




So, why it is added?







sentence-construction usage definite-article






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 13 hours ago









Tasneem ZhTasneem Zh

655117




655117













  • I think the second example may just be poor writing. The very next sentence is, "Java technology is both a programming language and a platform."

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • I find it the same as writing an article with a title like: "Let's talk about the weather". And then defining the weather -for some reasons- like this: Weather is climate conditions...etc. It wouldn't be: The weather is climate...etc

    – Tasneem Zh
    8 hours ago











  • Maybe, except that "talk about the weather" has a specific idiomatic meaning. For example, if I say it rained in my town yesterday, I am talking about the weather. If it were normal to say, "The Java technology was particularly fine today," then "talking about the weather" would be a proper analogy for talking "about the Java technology."

    – David K
    6 hours ago





















  • I think the second example may just be poor writing. The very next sentence is, "Java technology is both a programming language and a platform."

    – David K
    8 hours ago











  • I find it the same as writing an article with a title like: "Let's talk about the weather". And then defining the weather -for some reasons- like this: Weather is climate conditions...etc. It wouldn't be: The weather is climate...etc

    – Tasneem Zh
    8 hours ago











  • Maybe, except that "talk about the weather" has a specific idiomatic meaning. For example, if I say it rained in my town yesterday, I am talking about the weather. If it were normal to say, "The Java technology was particularly fine today," then "talking about the weather" would be a proper analogy for talking "about the Java technology."

    – David K
    6 hours ago



















I think the second example may just be poor writing. The very next sentence is, "Java technology is both a programming language and a platform."

– David K
8 hours ago





I think the second example may just be poor writing. The very next sentence is, "Java technology is both a programming language and a platform."

– David K
8 hours ago













I find it the same as writing an article with a title like: "Let's talk about the weather". And then defining the weather -for some reasons- like this: Weather is climate conditions...etc. It wouldn't be: The weather is climate...etc

– Tasneem Zh
8 hours ago





I find it the same as writing an article with a title like: "Let's talk about the weather". And then defining the weather -for some reasons- like this: Weather is climate conditions...etc. It wouldn't be: The weather is climate...etc

– Tasneem Zh
8 hours ago













Maybe, except that "talk about the weather" has a specific idiomatic meaning. For example, if I say it rained in my town yesterday, I am talking about the weather. If it were normal to say, "The Java technology was particularly fine today," then "talking about the weather" would be a proper analogy for talking "about the Java technology."

– David K
6 hours ago







Maybe, except that "talk about the weather" has a specific idiomatic meaning. For example, if I say it rained in my town yesterday, I am talking about the weather. If it were normal to say, "The Java technology was particularly fine today," then "talking about the weather" would be a proper analogy for talking "about the Java technology."

– David K
6 hours ago












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















5














Good question. When you say "the people", rather than just "people", the meaning is something like "all people" as opposed to "some people". That is,




Government of people, by people, for people




would mean that the government is made up of and is intended for some people. That's not a very effective or inspiring message. I would also say that "the people" usually means "the common masses", as in, ordinary, non-elite people.



Also see definition 4 in Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the :




used as a function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective to indicate reference to a group as a whole




// the elite





As for "the Java technology", I think that's more like definition 2a1 in Merriam-Webster (same link as above):




used as a function word with a noun modified by an adjective or by an attributive noun to limit the application of the modified noun to that specified by the adjective or by the attributive noun




// the right answer



// Peter the Great





"Java Technology" doesn't really have a different meaning from "the Java Technology", but I think the the emphasizes the fact that it is Java and not some other technology.






share|improve this answer































    0














    The answer is - Emphasis



    Dictionary result for emphasis
    /ˈɛmfəsɪs/
    noun
    noun: emphasis; plural noun: emphases

    1.
    special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
    "they placed great emphasis on the individual's freedom"
    synonyms: prominence, importance, significance; More
    stress, weight, attention, priority, urgency, force, forcibleness, insistence, underlining, underscoring, intensity;
    import, power, moment, mark, pre-eminence;
    weightage
    "the curriculum for 16-year-olds gave more emphasis to reading and writing"
    2.
    stress given to a word or words when speaking to indicate particular importance.
    "inflection and emphasis can change the meaning of what is said"
    synonyms: stress, accent, accentuation, weight, force, prominence; More
    beat;
    ictus
    "the emphasis is on the word ‘little’"
    vigour or intensity of expression.
    "he spoke with emphasis and with complete conviction"


    Example one, with the emphasis -




    GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




    The article "The" is used to signify that the Government that is made by (non-political/common) people, and only for people (and no one else). 'The' is talking about specific people. (This means people like the reader of the message)



    However, without the emphasis -




    GOVERNMENT OF PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE, FOR PEOPLE




    This is true for any government. As far as I know, there are no governments for aliens, by aliens or of aliens. Every government is of some people, by some people, and for some people.






    share|improve this answer


























    • Thank you for answering. You have attached all the possible meanings that would come out when using emphasis. Then, you explained that it is used for specification in example #1, but that wasn't mentioned in the gray box. So, could you clarify that more since I happened to think that too?

      – Tasneem Zh
      9 hours ago






    • 2





      As both this and the slightly later answer explain, the meaning of a sentence can be changed significantly by replacing "people" by "the people." That is not an example of "emphasis." Setting a sentence in bold face, as I just did, is an example of emphasis.

      – David K
      8 hours ago













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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    5














    Good question. When you say "the people", rather than just "people", the meaning is something like "all people" as opposed to "some people". That is,




    Government of people, by people, for people




    would mean that the government is made up of and is intended for some people. That's not a very effective or inspiring message. I would also say that "the people" usually means "the common masses", as in, ordinary, non-elite people.



    Also see definition 4 in Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the :




    used as a function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective to indicate reference to a group as a whole




    // the elite





    As for "the Java technology", I think that's more like definition 2a1 in Merriam-Webster (same link as above):




    used as a function word with a noun modified by an adjective or by an attributive noun to limit the application of the modified noun to that specified by the adjective or by the attributive noun




    // the right answer



    // Peter the Great





    "Java Technology" doesn't really have a different meaning from "the Java Technology", but I think the the emphasizes the fact that it is Java and not some other technology.






    share|improve this answer




























      5














      Good question. When you say "the people", rather than just "people", the meaning is something like "all people" as opposed to "some people". That is,




      Government of people, by people, for people




      would mean that the government is made up of and is intended for some people. That's not a very effective or inspiring message. I would also say that "the people" usually means "the common masses", as in, ordinary, non-elite people.



      Also see definition 4 in Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the :




      used as a function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective to indicate reference to a group as a whole




      // the elite





      As for "the Java technology", I think that's more like definition 2a1 in Merriam-Webster (same link as above):




      used as a function word with a noun modified by an adjective or by an attributive noun to limit the application of the modified noun to that specified by the adjective or by the attributive noun




      // the right answer



      // Peter the Great





      "Java Technology" doesn't really have a different meaning from "the Java Technology", but I think the the emphasizes the fact that it is Java and not some other technology.






      share|improve this answer


























        5












        5








        5







        Good question. When you say "the people", rather than just "people", the meaning is something like "all people" as opposed to "some people". That is,




        Government of people, by people, for people




        would mean that the government is made up of and is intended for some people. That's not a very effective or inspiring message. I would also say that "the people" usually means "the common masses", as in, ordinary, non-elite people.



        Also see definition 4 in Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the :




        used as a function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective to indicate reference to a group as a whole




        // the elite





        As for "the Java technology", I think that's more like definition 2a1 in Merriam-Webster (same link as above):




        used as a function word with a noun modified by an adjective or by an attributive noun to limit the application of the modified noun to that specified by the adjective or by the attributive noun




        // the right answer



        // Peter the Great





        "Java Technology" doesn't really have a different meaning from "the Java Technology", but I think the the emphasizes the fact that it is Java and not some other technology.






        share|improve this answer













        Good question. When you say "the people", rather than just "people", the meaning is something like "all people" as opposed to "some people". That is,




        Government of people, by people, for people




        would mean that the government is made up of and is intended for some people. That's not a very effective or inspiring message. I would also say that "the people" usually means "the common masses", as in, ordinary, non-elite people.



        Also see definition 4 in Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the :




        used as a function word before a noun or a substantivized adjective to indicate reference to a group as a whole




        // the elite





        As for "the Java technology", I think that's more like definition 2a1 in Merriam-Webster (same link as above):




        used as a function word with a noun modified by an adjective or by an attributive noun to limit the application of the modified noun to that specified by the adjective or by the attributive noun




        // the right answer



        // Peter the Great





        "Java Technology" doesn't really have a different meaning from "the Java Technology", but I think the the emphasizes the fact that it is Java and not some other technology.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 12 hours ago









        MixolydianMixolydian

        1,60118




        1,60118

























            0














            The answer is - Emphasis



            Dictionary result for emphasis
            /ˈɛmfəsɪs/
            noun
            noun: emphasis; plural noun: emphases

            1.
            special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
            "they placed great emphasis on the individual's freedom"
            synonyms: prominence, importance, significance; More
            stress, weight, attention, priority, urgency, force, forcibleness, insistence, underlining, underscoring, intensity;
            import, power, moment, mark, pre-eminence;
            weightage
            "the curriculum for 16-year-olds gave more emphasis to reading and writing"
            2.
            stress given to a word or words when speaking to indicate particular importance.
            "inflection and emphasis can change the meaning of what is said"
            synonyms: stress, accent, accentuation, weight, force, prominence; More
            beat;
            ictus
            "the emphasis is on the word ‘little’"
            vigour or intensity of expression.
            "he spoke with emphasis and with complete conviction"


            Example one, with the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




            The article "The" is used to signify that the Government that is made by (non-political/common) people, and only for people (and no one else). 'The' is talking about specific people. (This means people like the reader of the message)



            However, without the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE, FOR PEOPLE




            This is true for any government. As far as I know, there are no governments for aliens, by aliens or of aliens. Every government is of some people, by some people, and for some people.






            share|improve this answer


























            • Thank you for answering. You have attached all the possible meanings that would come out when using emphasis. Then, you explained that it is used for specification in example #1, but that wasn't mentioned in the gray box. So, could you clarify that more since I happened to think that too?

              – Tasneem Zh
              9 hours ago






            • 2





              As both this and the slightly later answer explain, the meaning of a sentence can be changed significantly by replacing "people" by "the people." That is not an example of "emphasis." Setting a sentence in bold face, as I just did, is an example of emphasis.

              – David K
              8 hours ago


















            0














            The answer is - Emphasis



            Dictionary result for emphasis
            /ˈɛmfəsɪs/
            noun
            noun: emphasis; plural noun: emphases

            1.
            special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
            "they placed great emphasis on the individual's freedom"
            synonyms: prominence, importance, significance; More
            stress, weight, attention, priority, urgency, force, forcibleness, insistence, underlining, underscoring, intensity;
            import, power, moment, mark, pre-eminence;
            weightage
            "the curriculum for 16-year-olds gave more emphasis to reading and writing"
            2.
            stress given to a word or words when speaking to indicate particular importance.
            "inflection and emphasis can change the meaning of what is said"
            synonyms: stress, accent, accentuation, weight, force, prominence; More
            beat;
            ictus
            "the emphasis is on the word ‘little’"
            vigour or intensity of expression.
            "he spoke with emphasis and with complete conviction"


            Example one, with the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




            The article "The" is used to signify that the Government that is made by (non-political/common) people, and only for people (and no one else). 'The' is talking about specific people. (This means people like the reader of the message)



            However, without the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE, FOR PEOPLE




            This is true for any government. As far as I know, there are no governments for aliens, by aliens or of aliens. Every government is of some people, by some people, and for some people.






            share|improve this answer


























            • Thank you for answering. You have attached all the possible meanings that would come out when using emphasis. Then, you explained that it is used for specification in example #1, but that wasn't mentioned in the gray box. So, could you clarify that more since I happened to think that too?

              – Tasneem Zh
              9 hours ago






            • 2





              As both this and the slightly later answer explain, the meaning of a sentence can be changed significantly by replacing "people" by "the people." That is not an example of "emphasis." Setting a sentence in bold face, as I just did, is an example of emphasis.

              – David K
              8 hours ago
















            0












            0








            0







            The answer is - Emphasis



            Dictionary result for emphasis
            /ˈɛmfəsɪs/
            noun
            noun: emphasis; plural noun: emphases

            1.
            special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
            "they placed great emphasis on the individual's freedom"
            synonyms: prominence, importance, significance; More
            stress, weight, attention, priority, urgency, force, forcibleness, insistence, underlining, underscoring, intensity;
            import, power, moment, mark, pre-eminence;
            weightage
            "the curriculum for 16-year-olds gave more emphasis to reading and writing"
            2.
            stress given to a word or words when speaking to indicate particular importance.
            "inflection and emphasis can change the meaning of what is said"
            synonyms: stress, accent, accentuation, weight, force, prominence; More
            beat;
            ictus
            "the emphasis is on the word ‘little’"
            vigour or intensity of expression.
            "he spoke with emphasis and with complete conviction"


            Example one, with the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




            The article "The" is used to signify that the Government that is made by (non-political/common) people, and only for people (and no one else). 'The' is talking about specific people. (This means people like the reader of the message)



            However, without the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE, FOR PEOPLE




            This is true for any government. As far as I know, there are no governments for aliens, by aliens or of aliens. Every government is of some people, by some people, and for some people.






            share|improve this answer















            The answer is - Emphasis



            Dictionary result for emphasis
            /ˈɛmfəsɪs/
            noun
            noun: emphasis; plural noun: emphases

            1.
            special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
            "they placed great emphasis on the individual's freedom"
            synonyms: prominence, importance, significance; More
            stress, weight, attention, priority, urgency, force, forcibleness, insistence, underlining, underscoring, intensity;
            import, power, moment, mark, pre-eminence;
            weightage
            "the curriculum for 16-year-olds gave more emphasis to reading and writing"
            2.
            stress given to a word or words when speaking to indicate particular importance.
            "inflection and emphasis can change the meaning of what is said"
            synonyms: stress, accent, accentuation, weight, force, prominence; More
            beat;
            ictus
            "the emphasis is on the word ‘little’"
            vigour or intensity of expression.
            "he spoke with emphasis and with complete conviction"


            Example one, with the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE




            The article "The" is used to signify that the Government that is made by (non-political/common) people, and only for people (and no one else). 'The' is talking about specific people. (This means people like the reader of the message)



            However, without the emphasis -




            GOVERNMENT OF PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE, FOR PEOPLE




            This is true for any government. As far as I know, there are no governments for aliens, by aliens or of aliens. Every government is of some people, by some people, and for some people.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 12 hours ago

























            answered 12 hours ago









            HolyprogrammerHolyprogrammer

            379111




            379111













            • Thank you for answering. You have attached all the possible meanings that would come out when using emphasis. Then, you explained that it is used for specification in example #1, but that wasn't mentioned in the gray box. So, could you clarify that more since I happened to think that too?

              – Tasneem Zh
              9 hours ago






            • 2





              As both this and the slightly later answer explain, the meaning of a sentence can be changed significantly by replacing "people" by "the people." That is not an example of "emphasis." Setting a sentence in bold face, as I just did, is an example of emphasis.

              – David K
              8 hours ago





















            • Thank you for answering. You have attached all the possible meanings that would come out when using emphasis. Then, you explained that it is used for specification in example #1, but that wasn't mentioned in the gray box. So, could you clarify that more since I happened to think that too?

              – Tasneem Zh
              9 hours ago






            • 2





              As both this and the slightly later answer explain, the meaning of a sentence can be changed significantly by replacing "people" by "the people." That is not an example of "emphasis." Setting a sentence in bold face, as I just did, is an example of emphasis.

              – David K
              8 hours ago



















            Thank you for answering. You have attached all the possible meanings that would come out when using emphasis. Then, you explained that it is used for specification in example #1, but that wasn't mentioned in the gray box. So, could you clarify that more since I happened to think that too?

            – Tasneem Zh
            9 hours ago





            Thank you for answering. You have attached all the possible meanings that would come out when using emphasis. Then, you explained that it is used for specification in example #1, but that wasn't mentioned in the gray box. So, could you clarify that more since I happened to think that too?

            – Tasneem Zh
            9 hours ago




            2




            2





            As both this and the slightly later answer explain, the meaning of a sentence can be changed significantly by replacing "people" by "the people." That is not an example of "emphasis." Setting a sentence in bold face, as I just did, is an example of emphasis.

            – David K
            8 hours ago







            As both this and the slightly later answer explain, the meaning of a sentence can be changed significantly by replacing "people" by "the people." That is not an example of "emphasis." Setting a sentence in bold face, as I just did, is an example of emphasis.

            – David K
            8 hours ago




















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