Subj : "a" or "the"
To   : alexander koryagin
From : Anton Shepelev
Date : Fri Jun 08 2018 15:15:32

alexander koryagin to Anton Shepelev:

AS>> But then, a note in the British passport says:
AS>>
AS>>    This passport remains the property of Her Majesty's
AS>>    Government in the United Kingdom.
AS>>
AS>> Why "the property"?  I am sure a passport does not
AS>> constitute the property of the Government.

AK> I think such a document is not a personal property. A
AK> state issues it to its people.  Then who is it belongs
AK> to?

Whom?

AK> Naturally to the state, or, Her Majesty's Government, in
AK> your sentence.

Then why not omit the article:

   This passport remains property of Her Majesty's
   Government in the United Kingdom.

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 * Origin: - nntp://news.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland - (2:221/6)

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