Use of definite article "the" in written form vs. spoken

[Maggie P.]

I hope someone can help. I'm trying to give an explanation to an individual for why we do not use the definite article "the" when we are writing - specifically, "CRA" or "Canada Revenue Agency". This person insists on writing, "the CRA" or "the Canada Revenue Agency". I know it is gramatically incorrect to use the article, but how can I explain it? I've tried to tell him that it's perfectly acceptable in speech, but not when it's written.

Thanks for your help,

Maggie P.

[Molly]

If the full name of the initialism includes "the", then it's normally included in writing and in formal to medium formal speaking.

Looks like yours has "the" as part of its name.

"The Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP) allows taxpayers to come forward and correct inaccurate or incomplete information or disclose material they did not report during previous dealings with the CRA, without penalty or prosecution.

Maybe this will help."

http://folk.uio.no/lynnp/Grammar_tips/Articles_and_abbreviations.pdf

[Maggie P.]

Molly:

I would agree with you in the example you have quoted, but CRA is an acronym for Canada Revenue Agency and the latter does not include "the" in its name. In your example, I would agree that the use of the definite article is appropriate, however, if you used the full name, "Canada Revenue Agency", I don't think you would put "the" in front of the name, would you?

Maggie P.

[Molly]

[Maggie P.]

Molly:

You are correct, CRA is an initialism. I will go with your last statement -- as the full form does not carry "the" in front of it, the article should be omitted, especially when referring to CRA as a proper noun.

One further clarification: if we are using CRA as an adjective, e.g. "the CRA website", then of course the article is used because we are really talking about the website. Correct?

Maggie P.

[Molly]

[Maggie P.]

Molly:

Thanks for helping to resolve this!

Maggie P.