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The cases where no definite article is needed


Is a definite article needed before “sleep”?Does calling an app “the Instapaper” with a definite article suggest a non-technical speaker?Redundant definite article?The use of the definite article “The”“A History of Britain”: Why the indefinite article?Using the definite article vs no articleDefinite article in front of button namesThree sentences regarding the definitive article in technical/mathematical writingDefinite Article before “Internet”Definite article usage













1















In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:



  • Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.

I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..



This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?






definite-articles







share|improve this question

















  • 1





    I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.

    – FumbleFingers
    6 hours ago
















1















In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:



  • Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.

I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..



This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?






definite-articles







share|improve this question

















  • 1





    I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.

    – FumbleFingers
    6 hours ago














1












1








1








In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:



  • Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.

I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..



This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?






definite-articles







share|improve this question














In technical writing, I believe expressions like these do not require a definite article:



  • Function f(x) is such and such. Graph G has such property. Equation (10) combined with something else gives that.

I mean one should not (or need not?) say "the function f(x)", "the graph G", "the equation (10)", etc..



This is my recollection from what a copy editor did to my writing a long time ago. Is this impression correct? If so, what is the name of this rule? I mean how can I refer others to this point?






definite-articles




definite-articles






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 6 hours ago









passerby51passerby51

1183




1183







  • 1





    I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.

    – FumbleFingers
    6 hours ago













  • 1





    I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.

    – FumbleFingers
    6 hours ago








1




1





I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.

– FumbleFingers
6 hours ago






I think need not rather than should not. Sometimes, but not in every context, including the article can sound a little stilted. But other times it can be quite natural (even preferred). Circumstances alter cases, and all that.

– FumbleFingers
6 hours ago











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