(the) weeks of preparation and training

[keannu]

When do you add "the" before a noun described by "of" phrase? I've seen either "the" added or omitted, but I can't tell the difference.

ex)Steven and Frank wanted to be heroes. They said "Let's climb the world's highest mountain". After (the) weeks of preparation and training, they started to climb.

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

In the case of your example, it's:
"After weeks of preparation and training, they started to climb."

But if "weeks of preparation and training" were the subject, then a "the" would be required:
"The weeks of training and preparation were crucial to the success of the climb."

However, as I am not an English teacher, I don't really know the hard and fast rules on "the", assuming there are any.

[keannu]

(Not a Teacher)

In the case of your example, it's:
"After weeks of preparation and training, they started to climb."

But if "weeks of preparation and training" were the subject, then a "the" would be required:
"The weeks of training and preparation were crucial to the success of the climb."

However, as I am not an English teacher, I don't really know the hard and fast rules on "the", assuming there are any.

Maybe you are right, but I haven't heeded to the standard for the-should-be or the-less cases, so it's all confusing, but what you said seems to compose a siginificant part of the standard.

[Tdol]

I came into this thread to read and post, but do not like these comments you put at the end.

[keannu]

I came into this thread to read and post, but do not like these comments you put at the end.

Which part do you mean? I never meant anything offensive.