"the" before a university name?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Take this sentence for example:

I believe that I would be a great fit for the University of California, Los Angeles.

Is “the” required?

2

Yes. This is a specific University.

3

Thanks

4

Hi Beesnees,

Let’s say the name doesn’t contain “University” in the beginning as in

I believe that I would be a great fit for the Texas A&M University.

In this sentence, is “the” required?

5

Yes. It is still a specific university.

6

Hi Imsriram, Beeesneees is correct of course, but Texas A&M is not known for always doing things the normal way, or even the correct way! :wink: I went to the real university in Texas, the University of Texas, so I may be biased, but I have never heard anyone refer to it as “The Texas A&M University”. You can go to their website and I don’t think you will see them refer to themselves as “The Texas A&M University” anywhere. Just wanted to let you know!

(By the way, I am just joking. We love to make fun of the Aggies and their silly customs, but it is an excellent school.)

7

Luschan, here goes a supplementary note:

Names of British universities where one element is a place-name can usually have two forms: the University of London (which is the official name) and London University. In names of American universities, there is a fairly regular contrast between the two types, as in the University of California and California State University. Universities named after a person have only the latter form: Yale University, Brown University, etc.

(Source: A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language by Randolph Quirk, eta - Page 294)

I hope this, besides your comments, confirms my view in a similar post discussed earlier.

8

Do you mean this one?
english-test.net/forum/sutra566846.html

Look at it again if you do, and you it should be apparent that you are completely off course.

9

Hi, Imsriram

May I add something: It is understandable that occasionally (!) the quick reply given by experienced teachers might be a little far from accurateness.
Strictly speaking, the following two sentences would be grammatically correct:

  • I graduated from [s]a[/s] university/college/high school N-years ago and haven't studied anywhere else since then.
  • I believe that I would be a great fit for [s]the [/s]Texas A&M University.

  Thanks.
10

The original query was whether the ‘the-article’ should be used. In the contextual absence of a particular university I replied that it would be ‘a’ (meaning ‘general’, i.e. ‘any’). Then, I went on to add where we should use the definite article and where the zero article. This was not properly understood. Unfortunately the views expressed were diverse. Then I had to consult Quirk. He also shared my view, like Luschen.

Now that you have reopened it, I would like to know how you have come to the zero-article conclusion. Could you give me some illustrative examples quoting authentic sources. I really am interested in knowing it for certain because in such situations we do use it with a non-definite article or in its plural form. For example: We graduate from a university or We graduate from universities.

11

You are now referring to the other thread, I presume. The one whicvh YOU chose to mention, and thus, reopen in this thread.

I’d love to know where you get the idea that the comments above, here, indicating that ‘the’ should not be used when speaking specifically about “Texas A&M University” validate the point you made in the “other thread”, when you argued that ‘the’ or ‘a’ should be included.
I guess I never will learn why that is though, as you will no doubt continue to bluster rather than accept that I’m right.
After all, why should this time be any different?

12

Yes, you are right, Foreigner.