Use of (the) Article

[postdeborinite]

After some professional correction of my English, I have noted that the use of articles in English must be different than in my native language (Swedish). Consider these use of 'the':

"1) The latter is operationalized into adult literacy and the enrolment ratio in primary, secondary and tertiary education."

"2) The purpose of this book is to provide a space for the articulation of where information and technology (ICT) can take learning.."

"3)…why the development research discourse exerts a strong influence on the theorization of development."

In all these examples, it would be at least as correct to omit the article in the equivalent Swedish sentences. Why not in English? In case 2) the meaning is slightly different without the article. With 'the' it refers to some outcomes, without 'the', an activity. Is it less common to talk about activity in this manner?

 

[SoothingDave]

The use of articles in English is different. It is also one of the more difficult things to learn.

I don't know what you are saying about "outcomes" and "activity." Can you elaborate?

 

[postdeborinite]

The use of articles in English is different. It is also one of the more difficult things to learn.

I don't know what you are saying about "outcomes" and "activity." Can you elaborate?

Thanks for those words, although not very comforting Can you point towards any grammar rules for when to omit the article?

I meant that in the example 2, the first version is: "

...purpose of this book is to provide a space for THE articulation of where information and technology (ICT) can take learning.."
Here 'articulation' is a noun, the result of a process of articulation. Right?

The second version is "The purpose of this book is to provide a space for ___ articulation of where information and technology (ICT) can take learning.." (omitted 'the'). There, articulation is just referring to an activity of making articulations, isn't it?

​

 

[Raymott]

Thanks for those words, although not very comforting Can you point towards any grammar rules for when to omit the article?

I meant that in the example 2, the first version is: "

...purpose of this book is to provide a space for THE articulation of where information and technology (ICT) can take learning.."
Here 'articulation' is a noun, the result of a process of articulation. Right?

The second version is "The purpose of this book is to provide a space for ___ articulation of where information and technology (ICT) can take learning.." (omitted 'the'). There, articulation is just referring to an activity of making articulations, isn't it?

​

In my opinion, 'the' could be left out in all those cases and still be good English.
If 1 is supposed to mean "The latter is operationalized into i) adult literacy and ii)enrolment ratio [in primary, secondary and tertiary education]." I'd rewrite the latter bit so it didn't imply i) adult literacy ii) enrolment ratio in primary, secondary and tertiary education."