Johns Hopkins University

[balakrishnanijk]

I have seen the name of Johns Hopkins University used with and without the definite article.
Why is usage divided in this case? Normally, universities do not take the definite article.

[Barb_D]

I don't think you can make that generalization. Sports fans in the US will be well aware of the emphasis on "the" in The Ohio State University.

You'll often find "the" with the word "university" (in the US).

The University of Pennsylvania, etc.

It seems that Johns Hopkins uses both "Johns Hopkins" and "The Johns Hopkins University" so the "the" generalization applies here.

[balakrishnanijk]

Would it be ungrammatical to say 'Ohio State University' instead of 'The Ohio State University'

[Barb_D]

Would it be ungrammatical to call someone "Tom" when his name is Thomas Lawrence, but everyone else calls him "Larry"? It would not be. However, if you know the way the institution refers to itself, you should make every effort to use the same terminology.

[balakrishnanijk]

Thank you.