Learn English – The definite article before “of-phrases”

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I have asked simular questions quite a lot, but no one could give a clear answer, so I am desperate. I can not figure out when I need to omit or use "the." Here are a few examples.

  1. I slipped over last month and I led to (the) disruption of my knee tendon.
  2. They are thinking about (the) closure of the bank.
  3. (The) distribution of wealth in the world in unequal.
  4. We must reach (the) consistency of our learning.
  5. We must promote(the) teaching of English.

Is the use of "the" is optional or necessary if it is necessary explain it for me why, please!!!

Best Answer

From Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik A Communicative Grammar of English, 3rd ed.

Notice that English tends to treat mass nouns and plural nouns as generic when they have a modifier before them (Chinese history). But when they are followed by a modifier, especially by an of-phrase, the normally has to be present (the history of China). Compare:

Chinese history...........the history of China

American social life........the social life of America

early mediaeval architecture.........the architecture of the early middle ages

animal behaviour................the behaviour of animals

The tendency is strong with abstract mass nouns. It is less strong with concrete mass nouns and plural nouns. We can omit the in

eighteenth-century furniture......(the) furniture of the eighteenth century

tropical birds.........(the) birds of the tropics

Compare: They are doing some interesting research on [Iron Age forts] or [(the) forts of the Iron Age].

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