The cases where no definite article is needed
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
add a comment |
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
yesterday
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:
- Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.
I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..
This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?
definite-articles
definite-articles
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
asked yesterday
passerby51passerby51
1183
1183
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
yesterday
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
yesterday
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
1
1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
yesterday
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
yesterday
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
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Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That is my impression as well. As for the rule, it's because an article is not necessary before proper nouns. In your examples, Function f(x), Graph G, and Equation 10 are all proper nouns, having names f, G, and 10 respectively.
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
answered 20 hours ago
Paul S. LeePaul S. Lee
514
514
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Paul S. Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
OK, this is a nice interpretation.
– passerby51
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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1
I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.
– FumbleFingers
yesterday
@FumbleFingers, thanks, interesting. In that case, the question would be what are the circumstances that make one more natural than the other.
– passerby51
6 hours ago