Learn English – missing definite article before caliph in ‘the group’s leader, XYZ, as (the) caliph’

articlesdefinite-article

I read news on the BBC (on its website) this morning. When I was reading the news I noticed the definite article the was missing in a sentence. As per my opinion, the reporter missed the article the. But I also thought that the reporter also had some point as he did not use the article there. So I just wanted to confirm so landed here to get some help on it.

On the website:

It also proclaimed the group's leader, XYZ (name), as caliph and
"leader for Muslims everywhere".

As per my opinion it should have been:

It also proclaimed the group's leader, XYZ (name), as the caliph and
"leader for Muslims everywhere".

Source link:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28082962

Best Answer

I can see why this might sound odd, but articles are often omitted when dealing with positions and appointments, particularly in news stories:

The University of Miami has appointed Jill Deupi, who currently serves as director and chief curator of University Museums at Fairfield University, as the new director of the Lowe Art Museum. (source)

In that quote, there is no article before the first instance of director, but there is before the second instance. (I presume the word "new" prompted the article; perhaps the author thought "as the new director" would sound more natural than "as new director.")

Here's another example:

Victoria Jurgens has been named legislative secretary to the Minister of Government Relations for northern Saskatchewan. In her role as legislative secretary, Jurgens will work closely with Minister of Government Relations Jim Reiter. (source)

There's no need to put a or the before legislative secretary, although the author could have done so.

Related Topic