The Definite Article in Country Names

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This article addresses the use of the definite article "the" used with country names. Unlike many languages, in English most countries are referred to without the use of the definite article, and use with regard to specific countries varies by country of origin of the English speaker.

Countries usually have a common name that is in general use in addition to the official, often longer, name of the country. Most country names do not use the word "the" in the official name of the country at all. Some countries the use of the word is preferred in both the common and official names of the country, while others use a common name that lacks "the" when it is present in the longer, official name. Still other countries are commonly referred to by English speakers in conjunction with the word "the" in spite of the fact that the nation lacks the word in its official name.

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[edit] "The" in the common name

The Gambia and The Bahamas are the two countries that both officially and commonly use "the" in their names. [1] The "The" is usually capitalized in the official names of these countries. The CIA World Factbook lists these as the only two countries with the definite article. [2]

[edit] "The" in the official name

Some nations, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Philippines, the State of the Vatican City, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands have the word "the" in the official name, although it is not formally part of the common name. Nevertheless, the use of the word "the" is used regularly in speech. In the case of the Netherlands and others, this is likely due to the plural nature of the common name of the country.

[edit] No "the" in the country name

Some countries are commonly preceded by English speakers by "the", although it is not actually a part of the official or common name. The United States, the UK, the United Arab Emirates and the US and British Virgin Islands are examples. Ukraine is often preceded with the definite article, but this is not longer preferred see Name of Ukraine. The English translation of Cote d'Ivorie (Ivory Coast) is commonly preceded by "the", likely because it is more pleasing to the ear as "ivory" and "coast" are English words. Sudan is often used with "the", but the name of the country is officially the Republic of Sudan. Some English speakers use "the" in front of Lebanon and Yemen for less obvious reasons.

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[edit] References

  1. ^ The Constitution of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Country Facts of The Gambia refer to the countries using the word "The", usually in capital letters
  2. ^ CIA World Factbook