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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
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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
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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
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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:
| Quote: | '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
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Alan
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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
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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
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Alan
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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
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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
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| Who is calling? | How do we use the articles in the English language? |
