His most famous work among (the) Western countries is the Besieged City.

[nelson13]

One context:

The sentences His most famous work among (the) Western countries is the Besieged City., with or without THE, have been used respectively in two dictionaries, but what can be the difference? It seems that theories like shared knowledege, whether it is mentioned the first time and whether it is general reference all fail.

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when there is no context,

1.By comparison, the expenditure on education increased last year.
2.By comparison, expenditure on education increased last year.

What is the difference?

Could you help me?

[Chicken Sandwich]

NOT A TEACHER

His most famous work among (the) Western countries is the Besieged City.

The whole sentence doesn't make sense to me ( Is it just me?). What do you mean by the "Besieged City"? What are you trying to say here?

[5jj]

I guess that 'Besieged City' is the film. No article is required.

It would be more natural to say, "His most famous/best-known film in the West is Besieged City".

[nelson13]

Thank you.

How about this:

when there is no context,

1.By comparison, the expenditure on education increased last year.
2.By comparison, expenditure on education increased last year.

What is the difference?

[5jj]

There is no need for the article.