[Grammar] Articles—(the) new shoes

[Dzidzi]

I have seen many times people naming their videos and forums "How to break in new shoes" for example. Why are they not using an article "the" before the word "new" , is it a mistake or not?

 

[jutfrank]

Re: Articles

It would not be correct to use the in phrases like that.

The reference is to new shoes in general, and we don't use definite articles to talk about things in general.

 

[Tarheel]

Re: Articles

I have seen many times people naming their videos and forums "How to break in new shoes" for example. Why are they not using an article "the" before the word "new". Is it a mistake or not?

An article is not needed in your example. You might say (for example):

I bought some new shoes.
How do you like my new shoes?
I see you have a new pair of shoes.

When talking about new shoes in general, you wouldn't use the.

 

[Tdol]

Re: Articles

You could use the if the shoes are specific ones:

How to break in the shoes you bought yesterday.

 

[ClareW]

Re: Articles

Or you could use "your" to make it more specific for an article heading:

"How to break in your new shoes".

 

[teechar]

Re: Articles

Why are they not using an article "the" before the word "new"? Is it a mistake or not?

It is not a mistake. As pointed out above, when we speak about something (that is a countable noun) in general, we do not use any articles and we use the plural form of the noun. If the noun is not countable, we do not use any articles and just use the noun.

I love cats.
I drink milk.

 

[Rover_KE]

Please note that I have improved your thread title.