WORLD WAR II

[bart-leby]

I would like to know why in the collocation WORLD WAR II the definite article is absent.

 

[bhaisahab]

For the same reason that it is in World War 1.

 

[Matthew Wai]

The reason for not saying "the World War 1" is the same as that for not saying "the chapter/paragraph/page 1".
Is it correct?

 

[SoothingDave]

The reason for not saying "the World War 1" is the same as that for not saying "the chapter/paragraph/page 1".
Is it correct?

Yes. It was The World War, until they made a sequel.

Note that we use Roman numerals. World War I and World War II.

 

[Matthew Wai]

For the same reason that it is in World War 1.

No article should be used if the expression ends in a number.
Can it be the reason?

 

[Tdol]

We do say the First/Second World War.

You could be right, Matthew, that it is because of the number at the end- we generally use the article with the names of wars.