Article (grammar): Difference between revisions

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(Cleanup; the Abzorbaloff's use of "article" is a different definition, though Four is punning on this.)
Tag: 2017 source edit
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[[File:Abzorbaloff genuine article.jpg|thumb|The "Abzorbaloff" presented himself to [[LINDA]] as the genuine article of aliens. ([[TV]]: ''[[Love & Monsters (TV story)|Love & Monsters]]'')]]
An '''article''' was a part of speech used to identify a [[noun]]. In particular, articles indicated the definitiveness of something.
Revealing his true [[form]] to [[Ursula Blake]] and [[Elton Pope]], "[[Victor Kennedy]]" proclaimed "you've dabbled with aliens... now meet the genuine '''article'''!" ([[TV]]: ''[[Love & Monsters (TV story)|Love & Monsters]]'')


== Definite article ==
Following [[Third Doctor's regeneration|his regeneration]], the [[Fourth Doctor]] told [[Harry Sullivan]] that, whilst Sullivan was ''a'' [[doctor]], he was "[[the Doctor|''the'' Doctor]]. The definite article, you might say." ([[TV]]: {{cs|Robot (TV story)}}) Similarly, the [[Twelfth Doctor]] corrected a [[Mondasian Cyberman]], adding that he was "The original, you might say," and ironically faced the same assertion when he crossed paths with the [[First Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Twice Upon a Time (TV story)}})
Following [[Third Doctor's regeneration|his regeneration]], the [[Fourth Doctor]] told [[Harry Sullivan]] that, whilst Sullivan was ''a'' [[doctor]], he was "[[the Doctor|''the'' Doctor]]. The definite article, you might say." ([[TV]]: {{cs|Robot (TV story)}}) Similarly, the [[Twelfth Doctor]] corrected a [[Mondasian Cyberman]], adding that he was "The original, you might say.", and ironically faced the same assertion when he crossed paths with the [[First Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Twice Upon a Time (TV story)}})


[[The Meep]]'s chosen [[pronoun]] was the definite article and so was always referred to as the Meep. Upon learning this, the [[Fourteenth Doctor]] admitted "[[Elective Semantectomy|I do that]]". ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Star Beast (TV story)}})
When the [[Fourteenth Doctor]] and [[Rose Noble]] asked how to refer to [[the Meep]], the Meep replied, "my chosen [[pronoun]] was the definite article; I am always 'the Meep'." Upon learning this, the Doctor admitted "I do that". ([[TV]]: {{cs|The Star Beast (TV story)}}) Renouncing one's [[personal name]] and taking a title preceded by the definite article was a process done by many [[Time Lord]]s known as an [[Elective Semantectomy]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Weapons Grade Snake Oil (novel)}})
 
== Behind the scenes ==
* The [[Fourth Doctor]]'s assertion that he was "the definite article" was a pun on two possible meanings of the phrase— one indicating the grammatical definite article "the", as used in the title "the Doctor" vs "a doctor", and the second using "article" to mean "item" or "object", indicating that of all doctors, the Doctor himself was the definitive one.  
** The Doctor's change of this to "the original" in {{cs|Twice Upon a Time (TV story)}} both references this latter meaning, with the idea that the Doctor himself inspired the word "[[doctor]]" suggested by [[River Song]] in {{cs|A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)}} and the [[Twelfth Doctor]] himself in {{cs|The Return of Doctor Mysterio (TV story)}}. It also references how the [[First Doctor]], particularly to his future self, was the first [[incarnation]] to use the title "[[the Doctor (title)|the Doctor]]".


[[Category:Alphabets and writing systems]]
[[Category:Alphabets and writing systems]]

Revision as of 07:29, 26 January 2024

Article (grammar)

An article was a part of speech used to identify a noun. In particular, articles indicated the definitiveness of something.

Following his regeneration, the Fourth Doctor told Harry Sullivan that, whilst Sullivan was a doctor, he was "the Doctor. The definite article, you might say." (TV: Robot [+]Loading...["Robot (TV story)"]) Similarly, the Twelfth Doctor corrected a Mondasian Cyberman, adding that he was "The original, you might say," and ironically faced the same assertion when he crossed paths with the First Doctor. (TV: Twice Upon a Time [+]Loading...["Twice Upon a Time (TV story)"])

When the Fourteenth Doctor and Rose Noble asked how to refer to the Meep, the Meep replied, "my chosen pronoun was the definite article; I am always 'the Meep'." Upon learning this, the Doctor admitted "I do that". (TV: The Star Beast [+]Loading...["The Star Beast (TV story)"]) Renouncing one's personal name and taking a title preceded by the definite article was a process done by many Time Lords known as an Elective Semantectomy. (PROSE: Weapons Grade Snake Oil [+]Loading...["Weapons Grade Snake Oil (novel)"])

Behind the scenes

  • The Fourth Doctor's assertion that he was "the definite article" was a pun on two possible meanings of the phrase— one indicating the grammatical definite article "the", as used in the title "the Doctor" vs "a doctor", and the second using "article" to mean "item" or "object", indicating that of all doctors, the Doctor himself was the definitive one.