[Grammar] (the) last to arrive

[arjitsharma]

I would like to know about the article rule that is used in the following sentences.1. She was last to arrive.2. They were the last to arrive.I have seen these two sentences in a dictionary.

 

[emsr2d2]

They're both acceptable in BrE.

 

[arjitsharma]

I saw in a political science book that the article rule is not used in the words as " in U.S.A. " and "in the U.S.A." I know the rule why the definite article is used with the word like U.S.A. but I don't understand why the article is not used the word sometimes.

 

[emsr2d2]

I saw in a political science book that the article rule is not used in [STRIKE]the words[/STRIKE] phrases such as "in U.S.A." and "in the U.S.A." I know the rule so why is the definite article [strike]is[/strike] used with [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] words like U.S.A.? [strike]but[/strike] I don't understand why the article is not used [STRIKE]the word[/STRIKE] sometimes.

I'm confused. Why are you taking your English lessons from a political science book?

 

[GoesStation]

Which "article rule" are you referring to?

 

[jutfrank]

I don't understand why the article is not used the word sometimes.

It's sometimes not used in written texts in order to save time and space.

 

[andrewg927]

It's always "the USA" unless like jutfrank pointed out, to save space.