The statement "Avril, welcome to Philippines" sounds awkward, isn't it? An article seems to be missing between the words to and Philippines.
The is a definite article. It is used to refer to specific nouns, unlike a/an. According to my source, the should not be used before the names of most countries or territories (such as China, Japan, Korea). However, it is used before the names of the countries like: the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, the United States, and the Philippines.Therefore, the statement above should be written as "Avril, welcome to the Philippines."
Reference: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/
I agree with your post. The one who made the signage should have placed "the" before "Philippines". It is quite confusing on when or where we are to place an article, but for me, it is common knowledge to put "the" before "Philippines". Maybe the fan was just so excited waiting for Avril Lavigne.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it sounds awkward. When I read it, I know that there's something odd. I hope I will not commit that mistake in the future.
ReplyDeleteAWKWARD. :) Maybe she needs to take English 1 under Ma'am Alfelor. AGREE?
ReplyDelete"Sounds awkward, DOESN'T it?"
ReplyDelete