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Study the lists below of when and when not to use the definite article (the)
with geographical names and terms:
Generally the is not used with names of
Continents: Asia, Europe, South America (except: The Arctic, The Antarctic)
Countries:
Greece, Kuwait (exceptions include: The Netherlands, The
Lebanon)
Islands : When thought of as one island: Japan, Cuba, Hawaii
Cities: Alexandria, Ankara, New York, London
Mountains: Mount Everest, Mont Blanc, Ben Nevis (exceptions include: The
Jungfrau, The Tiger)
Bays: Raleigh Bay, Galway Bay (except when: The Bay of...)
Generally the is used with the names of
Countries when abbreviated: the USA, the USSR, the UAE, the UK
1. When one event immediately follows another when can be used instead of
after e.g. After a ship arrives in port, port officials go aboard. When a ship
arrives in port, port officials go aboard.
2. When the subject is the same in both clauses when can often be rewritten
with
on + noun/-ing
e.g. When the customs men arrive on board, they go to the Captain's cabin.
=> On arriving on board, the customs men go to the Captain's cabin.
e.g. When the cargo was unloaded, it was put into the warehouse. On being
unloaded, the cargo was put into the warehouse.
3. When one event happens at the same time as another, when/while can
sometimes
be replaced by du ring + noun
e.g. While a ship is being launched, tugs stand by ready to help. During the
launching of a ship, tugs stand by ready to help.
e.g. The Chief Officer stayed on watch until 0800. If we are referring to the
time the action began, we must put the verb in the main clause in the
negative.
After the passengers arrive on board, they are shown to their cabins. (On)
The passengers went below when the sun went in. (Until)
The pilot disembarked when the ship was clear of the harbour. (Until)