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From: werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner)
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: Use of THE - US vs Eng (One rule)
Message-ID: <1377@aecom.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Apr-85 03:22:57 EST
Article-I.D.: aecom.1377
Posted: Tue Apr 16 03:22:57 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 19-Apr-85 00:42:20 EST
References: <7200005@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Organization: Albert Einstein Coll. of Med., NY
Lines: 22

> 	Bob Clark wonders why Americans go to THE hospital whereas British
go to hospital.

	Can't help you there, but to relate this story.  I was once editing
the MPP (Master of Public Policy) thesis for the person who now runs the
Office of Women's Affairs, Government of Japan.
	Her main trouble was with articles - leaving out THEs or putting
them in inappropriately.  I was able to explain the rules with one
exception:  Why some acronyms have a THE in front and others don't.  For
several weeks I took the standard defense, "Well it doesn't sound right."
Then it hit me, if the acronym can be pronounced, it doesn't have a THE
(the IRC vs. MITI), if it can't be pronounced, it does.

	Does this address the original question. Not really. At least in
my part of the US, I go to school, go to work, go home, but go to THE
hospital. I also go to THE store, THE movies, etc. Let me take the 
standard defense, "That's the way that sounds right to me."

-- 
				Craig Werner
				!philabs!aecom!werner
		What do you expect?  Watermelons are out of season!