I have some problems with using “the” in some English sentences. For instance, in the following examples I’m not sure which sentence is the correct one:
Example 1
He drew a circle on the paper. Diameter of the circle was nearly 5 cm.
He drew a circle on the paper. The diameter of circle was nearly 5 cm.
He drew a circle on the paper. The diameter of the circle was nearly 5 cm.
Example 2
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The use of “the” can be very tricky, I agree. :-(
In example 1, the third sentence is correct:
He drew a circle on the paper. The diameter of the circle was nearly 5 cm.
It’s the diameter of the circle that he drew.
Any ideas about example 2 anyone?
Thank you for your help. In example 2, I think we should choose the second sentence. This instrument is used to measure the velocity of automobiles from a distance. Because first, it is written in Longman Dictionary that “the” is used before nouns referring to actions and changes when they are followed by “of”. And second, we are talking about the automobiles in general. So it doesn’t need “the”. Is it correct? And what about the following sentence? Is it correct to say: Diameter of a circle is twice the size of its radius. “Diameter” is not an “action” or… Read more »
In example 2, I would say that both the second and the fourth sentence could be correct depending on the situation. The second sentence would be about cars in general and the fourth sentence about cars in a particular context, for example you may be talking about the cars used in safety tests in a research centre. As to your new sentence, your feeling is not misguiding you. The correct form is “the diameter of a circle”. And frankly, if I were you, I would just try to read and watch a lot of English and immerse myself in an… Read more »
Thank you very much.