icanfly
New member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2012
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- Malayalam
- Home Country
- India
- Current Location
- India
Hello,
I have had this question for a long time. I don't remember where I picked this rule, but I still believe it's correct. I have seen other people not use the definite article at all when the noun is plural. Examples:
->List steps to create a file using MS Word.
->Identify techniques for creating a project plan in MS Project. (also, Identify various techniques for creating a project plan in MS Project)
-> Identify techniques to create a project plan in MS Project.
I have seen that many people don't use the definite article after the first word in the above examples. But I always add the definite article after the first word. Can anyone tell me if I am correct in adding the article although the words following it are plural? I remember from somewhere that the article is required because the words "steps" or techniques" is qualified by "to", which makes it specific. I have heard a similar rule about "that" qualifying words in such sentences.
Thank you. Expecting an answer to this dilemma. :-|
I have had this question for a long time. I don't remember where I picked this rule, but I still believe it's correct. I have seen other people not use the definite article at all when the noun is plural. Examples:
->List steps to create a file using MS Word.
->Identify techniques for creating a project plan in MS Project. (also, Identify various techniques for creating a project plan in MS Project)
-> Identify techniques to create a project plan in MS Project.
I have seen that many people don't use the definite article after the first word in the above examples. But I always add the definite article after the first word. Can anyone tell me if I am correct in adding the article although the words following it are plural? I remember from somewhere that the article is required because the words "steps" or techniques" is qualified by "to", which makes it specific. I have heard a similar rule about "that" qualifying words in such sentences.
Thank you. Expecting an answer to this dilemma. :-|