The worst thing to happen to (x) since the?

[ucul]

Which one is correct, using the or without it? Is it necessary to add the​ before the year?

1. Siminius is probably the worst thing to happen to Rome since the 330-32 anti rightist purge.
2. Siminius is probably the worst thing to happen to Rome since 330-32 anti rightist purge.

 

[Rover_KE]

The past tense would sound better here, a hyphen is needed, and 'the' is essential.

'Siminius was probably the worst thing to happen to Rome since the 330-332 anti-rightist purge.'

 

[Katherine Gan]

In my opinion, the upper one is correct.

And may I ask what is Siminius? and anti-rightist?

Thanks in advance,

 

[MikeNewYork]

In my opinion, Rover's version is correct.

 

[ucul]

The past tense would sound better here, a hyphen is needed, and 'the' is essential.

'Siminius was probably the worst thing to happen to Rome since the 330-332 anti-rightist purge.'

If I change the sentence like this below, should I use is or was? The person I'm talking about is still alive. I'm a bit confused with grammar.

"Justin Bieber is probably the worst thing to happen to America since the Great Depression."

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would use "is" there.

 

[ucul]

In my opinion, the upper one is correct.

And may I ask what is Siminius? and anti-rightist?

Thanks in advance,

It's just one of the character's names in my short story about the Roman empire, set in an alternate universe

 

[Rover_KE]

It's just one of the character's names in my short story about the Roman Empire, set in an alternate universe. [STRIKE][/STRIKE]

Please use standard punctuation to end a sentence. If you want to insert an emoticon you can use the :-D icon.

And Katherine wants to know what 'anti-rightist' means.

 

[ucul]

I would use "is" there.

Forgot to ask. Since Siminius/Justin Bieber is a person, is it fine to use "thing" while referring to them? Or should I change it with "person"?

"Justin Bieber is probably the worst thing to happen to America since the Great Depression." or "Justin Bieber is probably the worst person to happen to America since the Great Depression."?

 

[Rover_KE]

In this context and construction, 'the best/worst thing' is used for people. If it hadn't been, we'd have put you right long ago.

Katherine's still waiting to know what 'anti-rightist' means.

 

[ucul]

In my opinion, the upper one is correct.

And may I ask what is Siminius? and anti-rightist?

Thanks in advance,

It's actually a reference to an Anti-Rightist Movement. They launch a series of campaigns to purge alleged "rightists" in the Roman Senate. Well, this is just a story which I've been working on.:lol:

 

[MikeNewYork]

I agree with Rover. A person doesn't happen to some place; a thing happens to some place.