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Do I need to use the definite article the in this case?

  • Copycats are Google's enemies.

  • Copycats are the Google's enemies.

There is no context, just a statement (these enemies aren't identified).

Andrew Leach
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  • Google is a proper noun (note its capitalization) and therefore does not require an article. You wouldn't say, "I am going to the Paris, which is in the France". – Micah Windsor Aug 29 '20 at 14:28
  • Well, if I replace Google with, say, 'brand's' (some imaginary brand), does your answer still apply? –  Aug 29 '20 at 14:35
  • @Micah Windsor But The Hague is in the Netherlands. Google is an anarthrous proper noun. – Edwin Ashworth Aug 29 '20 at 14:43
  • @EdwinAshworth I could argue that 'The Hague' is an anarthrous proper noun (as a phrase), while 'Hague' on its own is meaningless in English. – Micah Windsor Aug 29 '20 at 14:58
  • @Micah Windsor But you're still left with [the Netherlands]. 'Google is a proper noun (note its capitalization) and therefore does not require an article' is infelicitous. Note also 'ITV's most watched programmes' but 'the BBC's most watched programmes'. – Edwin Ashworth Aug 29 '20 at 15:11
  • @EdwinAshworth Rats, you've got me there :) – Micah Windsor Aug 29 '20 at 15:23
  • So, is it better to say 'X are brand's enemies'? Am I right? –  Aug 29 '20 at 15:34
  • Yes, if you replace 'brand' with any actual brand name. – Micah Windsor Aug 29 '20 at 15:44

1 Answers1

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General rule: Names do not take an article.

As stated in comments, English does not have sentences like "I am going to the Paris, which is in the France."

Confusingly, some names actually include an article, but these are special cases — and even then the article might actually be a determiner as in "the Thames": there, we are distinguishing a particular river from the set of all rivers. Where a name really includes an article, the article is usually capitalised as well, like "The Times" which is a newspaper published in London. (Not the London.) Because they are special cases, it's safe to use a general rule and either learn special cases separately, or not treat them as special at all. "The Times" could be referring to the "Times" newspaper, after all — one of many, again.

The Dutch city The Hague does have an article; it's part of the name and always capitalised, but it's a direct translation from Den Haag and one of the special cases to be learned.

Related question: Are there any simple rules for choosing the definite vs. indefinite (vs. none) article? although answers there don't mention names.

Andrew Leach
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