Language Tips: Articles and Names Of Countries

Do we need to use ” the“ with names of countries?

Answer:  It depends.

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Explanation: The general rule is ‘not to  use “the” with names of countries except with  countries that have plural names, and with countries that include the words “republic”, “kingdom”, or “states” in their names.

We say, in the Philippines, in Korea, in Japan, in the United States, and in the United Kingdom.

To see the list of countries that use the definite article “the”, please click here.