the job was canceled什么意思_英文文法: Why “the”, “current”, “voters”, etc.

英文文法: Why “the”, “current”, “voters”, etc.
(prepared by: alexcwlin; edited by: Adam Lam)

写英文要精简，但要用适当的字来澄清意思。

I wrote:“The (1) current (2) prime minister (3) of Canada was chosen by a majority (4) of the voters (5) in an election”.

1. Why do I use “the” and not “a” or “zero article” (with no “a” or “the”)?
The words “prime minister” are common nouns, but there is only 1 person who fits description of the term “prime minister of Canada”.
Therefore Definite Article “the” is used, instead of Indefinite Article “a” or Zero Article (without “a” or “the”).

2. Why do I use “current”?
If I skip the word “current”, then the statement becomes general truth that all prime ministers of Canada in the past were elected.
There were situations where certain prime ministers died or were expelled from office, and someone else in the political party took over. Therefore, not all Canada’s prime ministers were voted in.

3. Why do I use small cap “prime minister” and not all caps “Prime Minister?
I could use either “the prime minister” (in small caps) or “Prime Minister” (in all caps without “the”), and both are acceptable.

4. Why do I insert the word “majority”?
Canada’s Prime Minister is chosen in a system where a majority of his party’s candidates are voted into office by the voters who went to vote in the particular election.
Therefore not all voters voted for the Prime Minister, but only the majority of them in that election who went to vote.

5. Why do I use the word “voters” and not “people”?
As much as we regularly hear that politicians are voted into office by the “people”, but the fact is those elected politicians were chosen by the eligible voters who went to vote.
A portion of the people in Canada are not eligible to vote (e.g., under 18 years of age or non-residents) and therefore using “voters” instead of “people” is more appropriate.

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