[Grammar] Somebody is changing for the better

[TitoBr]

Hail!

why do I have to use 'the' in the sentence: he is chaning for the better?

Is it possible to use without the article?

Cheers,
Tito

 

[emsr2d2]

[STRIKE]Hail[/STRIKE]! (Very unnatural greeting in 21st century English)

Why do I have to use 'the' in the sentence: he is changing for the better?

Is it possible to [STRIKE]use without[/STRIKE] ​omit the article?

Cheers,
Tito

Something that happens "for the better" is idiomatic. Look at the definition here and scroll down to idioms.

 

[TitoBr]

Yeah, I know that 'Hail' is not used anymore, let's say, since Roman times. Thank you for the corrections and the link.

 

[5jj]

I am moderately sure that 'Hail' was not used in Roman times.

 

[TitoBr]

No? What about 'Hail Caesar'?

 

[5jj]

No? What about 'Hail Caesar'?

I would bet my life savings that nobody around in Roman times ever uttered those words.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm moderately sure that I can bet 5jj's life savings on the fact that the Romans didn't speak much English.

 

[bhaisahab]

I'd be willing to bet 5jj's savings on that, too.;-)

 

[5jj]

It's sweet to see how you are all so happy to bet my life savings; on this question, you'd be safe enough with your own.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's sweet to see how you are all so happy to bet my life savings; on this question, you'd be safe enough with your own.

If I had any, I would.