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Subject:Re- Proper noun use From:Auli Ingman <Auli -dot- Ingman -at- X400UX -dot- SASKTEL -dot- SK -dot- CA> Date:Fri, 24 Mar 1995 13:22:27 -0600
Re: Proper noun use
Sonja Draeger writes:
<<Our problem relates to the way we should refer to the product when we
use its full name (the proper noun). The name is three words long. For
example, do we say
"X Y Z can do some amazing stuff."
"The X Y Z can do some amazing stuff."
It really gets down to if there should be a *the* before a proper noun.>>
Hm, the distinction is often intuitive but here's my opinion.
Quick and Dirty can do some amazing stuff.
Rationale: personified, Quick and Dirty is assuming a human role in doing the
action and is therefore a proper noun. Since we don't use 'The' with proper
nouns (except for the Scots, as in 'The Douglas' (meaning the head of the
Douglas clan)), 'the' would be incorrect here.
The Quick and Dirty Vacuum can do some amazing stuff. Rationale: Definite
article required because of the noun that follows. My Harbrace calls the 'the' a
noun marker or noun determiner. You would also say the Fender Bender, the
Kitchen Wizard. 'Quick and Dirty Vacuum' is capitalized, not because it is a
proper noun, but because it has some market value and recognition.
I wouldn't mind knowing the specific 'thing' you're describing.
