new territories west

No one can answer your questions without knowing if the new territories west refers to an actual existent administrative division representing an actual, geographical entity.

As is so often the case with ESL students, you haven't provided sufficient context. From what you have provided, it appears to refer to Hong Kong, but that's all i'm willing to speculate about without further context.

Quote:it appears to refer to Hong Kong

Yes, it is. The place is called 'the New Territories '.

I understood that part, don't patronize me. In that case, it should read the New Territories. Whether or not the word "west" is to be capitalized depends on whether or not there is a formal administrative district known as the New Territories West--in which case "west" is capitalized. You are absolutely wrong to claim that one writes The United States of America. One writes the United States of America. The definite article is not capitalized.

Please take the lesson that these questions cannot be answered with assurance unless you provide more context.

Thank you, Setan~

Today I heard people say:

-In southern states

when referring to the US, shouldn't there be THE before SOUTHERN?

No . . .

WB didn't claim what you have suggested he claimed, Set. He didn't even write, "The United States of America".

He wrote THE UNITED STATES, using all capitals to point up that which he is talking about. Surely a guy as "sharp" as you has noticed that by now.



Given how just thick you are, a little repetition is in order.

Thank you, JTT~

I've come up with another question: will the presence of THE give rise to ambiguity?

eg Flames raced through brush and grass in central Arizona.

Of course we know by context it's the central part of Arizona itself, but when we say

eg President Obama's next leg of his four-nation tour will be at neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

NEIGHBOURING is used to describe Saudi Arabia itself, so

can CENTRAL ARIZONA mean a state in the middle part of the US?

Most assuredly not, WB. The issue wouldn't arise because it has no basis in reality.