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Old 24-Mar-2008, 12:22
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Default By+object (by will of) - articles?

When 'by' is used to indicate a method or means of something it often 'destroys' the article of the following object: by car (means of transport), by order (the reason of an action), etc.
Can we say that the title of the movie is translated into English not quite correctly or is there a special reson for 'the' with the word 'will' ('By the will of Genghis Khan')? -
По велению Чингисхана (web-site of the film).
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Old 24-Mar-2008, 12:49
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Default Re: By+object (by will of) - articles?

I'd say in this case it is "the will" because it refers to the will of a definite person / group. The Will of Genghis Khan' and not will in general.

Look here

Definite Article - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

Cheers
Snowcake
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Old 24-Mar-2008, 13:01
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Post Re: By+object (by will of) - articles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowcake View Post
I'd say in this case it is "the will" because it refers to the will of a definite person / group. The Will of Genghis Khan' and not will in general.

Look here

Definite Article - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

Cheers
Snowcake
I entirely agree with you. By the will of somebody = This is/was somebody's will (for somebody else) to do something... / This is/was what he wanted somebody to do....
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Old 25-Mar-2008, 13:09
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Default Re: By+object (by will of) - articles?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowcake View Post
I'd say in this case it is "the will" because it refers to the will of a definite person / group. The Will of Genghis Khan' and not will in general.

Look here

Definite Article - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

Cheers
Snowcake
Yes, thank you very much, now we know about definite articles. :)
Also we know about nouns followed by definitions like 'the leader of our team' and 'the light which was flowing through the stained-glass windows'.
(In this connection my only doubt is: did Genghis have only one will? 'by will of somebody' usualy means not the person's 'strong will' or 'free wiil' - but a one-time act of verbalizing his or her desire.)
So the explanation 'because it refers to the will of a definite person / group' I wouldn't say is relevant. (like 'a hand of my watch' - never mind my watch is definite, but it's got more than one hand, hasn't it? So the watch is definite, but the arrow without special indications is rather indefinite).

However the question was not about trivial usage of definite articles. It was about 'by' and why the rules of using it can be omitted. (Or is it just a mistake?)

'By Order of the King' ( A Romance of English History)' (Hugo's novel)
Summer 1668: By order of the King and council Margaret Fell was released from Lancaster prison.

Last edited by Romeo4755; 25-Mar-2008 at 13:24.
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Old 25-Mar-2008, 14:22
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Default Re: By+object (by will of) - articles?

Oh sorry. It seems that I've missed the point.
Unfortunately, I can't answer your question.

But certainly there is someone out there who is able to give you an appropriate explanation.
Regards,
Snowcake

Last edited by Snowcake; 25-Mar-2008 at 14:44.
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