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#17 (permalink) Mon Jun 01, 2009 19:49 pm Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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Hi Alan, But when I say ''The British change ...'', don't I emphasize the word '' British'' in contrast to other nationalities? Please, I need some more explanation. |
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Saule I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 43 Location: USA
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#18 (permalink) Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:24 pm Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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Oh!, it's very interesting.Now I understand about them. Many thanks to all people here. Have a beautiful day! |
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Tryyourbest I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 11
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#19 (permalink) Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:14 am Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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| I still don't understand how to find out wich nationalities act as adjective and noun and another one not. Why can't I say: "The italians are friendly people." instead "Italians are friendly people." How I reconize when ins necessary the definitive article or not. Example: British can be adjective like in "British food" and can be noun "Britishes are different than brazilians." ? I am very confused!!!! |
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Livia Mackie I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 12
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#20 (permalink) Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:25 am Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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Hi Livia,
I can only repeat what I said in another post:
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'British' 'French' 'Spanish' and others are essentially adjectives and can't really stand alone without the article and so we have to say: The French/British and so on because it's understood that we are talking about 'The French people' for example. Other words act as adjective and noun as for example 'Italian' 'Greek' 'American' 'African' 'Asian' - these words can be used without the article: Americans choose a new president every four years but The British change their leader every five years.
Back to your question about Romans, which is slightly different because 'Romans' describes the citizens of Rome when used without the article. When we say 'The Romans' we are usually referring to a period of time during the Roman Empire when they ruled a large proportion of the so-called civilized world. |
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Subjunctive |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9210 Location: UK
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#21 (permalink) Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:43 am Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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Hi Alan, I am new here and I am brazilian. I think you are the best teacher in the course. So, don't take me wrong but, you meam I just need to record from a list wich nationalities need the definitive article and wich ones don't need? Is there any clue to help me to memorize it? |
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Livia Mackie I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 12
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#22 (permalink) Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:42 am Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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Hi Livia,
I'm afraid there isn't an easy answer to this. You have to find out whether the name of the nationality can be used as both adjective and noun or whether it's only used as adjective.
Alan _________________ English as a Foreign Language You can read my EFL story Book Expressions |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9210 Location: UK
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#23 (permalink) Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:03 am Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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Thank you for your patience....  |
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Livia Mackie I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 21 Sep 2009 Posts: 12
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#24 (permalink) Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:11 am Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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| Alan wrote: |
Hi Joana,
Yes, you can if you want to stress the word 'Americans' in particular.
Alan |
so then, you cannot go wrong if you always use "the <nationality>" all the time? |
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Solomon_Liwanag New Member

Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 6
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#25 (permalink) Tue Nov 17, 2009 15:42 pm Why do we say "the Romans" as opposed to "Romans"? |
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hi torsten i just finished how to use the articles exercise i scored 9 out 10 i used Romans instead of the Romans it's wonderful how I'm learning English,everyday new things,i appreciate your job is wonderful thank you bye for now admira |
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Admira I'm new here and I like it ;-)

Joined: 16 Oct 2009 Posts: 32 Location: UK
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| What does drawback mean? | Usage of "Are looking at" |