I need your idea.

**Tho** · 09-30-2002, 01:58 AM

Hi!
Could you tell me your idea in this sentence?
The nitrogen makes up over 78 percent of the Earth's atmosphere, the gaseous mass surrounding the planet.
Thanks a ton.

**Fortune** · 09-30-2002, 02:10 AM

I think A is wrong. It should be " nitrogen".

**Tho** · 09-30-2002, 02:16 AM

Originally posted by Fortune

I think A is wrong. It should be " nitrogen".

Yes, It's A, but what's your explanation?

**Fortune** · 09-30-2002, 02:32 AM

Oh, it is very easy. Nitrogen is the name of the chemical compound.
That is why it doesn't require "the" to precede it.

**chaiyachoti** · 09-30-2002, 02:43 AM

Originally posted by Fortune

Oh, it is very easy. Nitrogen is the name of the chemical compound.
That is why it doesn't require "the" to precede it.

I think this sentence mentions nitrogen in general, not specific.
Then, it doesn't need to use "the".

HTH

**Fortune** · 09-30-2002, 02:50 AM

yes. that is the thing I wanted to tell Tho.

**Tho** · 09-30-2002, 02:52 AM

Yeap. Thanks for nice explanations.

**Erin** · 09-30-2002, 03:31 AM

Originally posted by Fortune

Oh, it is very easy. Nitrogen is the name of the chemical compound.
That is why it doesn't require "the" to precede it.

Yes, this is correct. Generally speaking, non-count nouns should NOT be used with "the" before them, unless of course, we are referring to a specific group.

So, we do NOT say the oxygen, the water, the milk, the silver, the wood, the bread, etc.

**Vaya** · 09-30-2002, 03:50 PM

Hm...

up over? I haven't seen it before. Does it mean 'more than 78...'?
If so then 'up to' means 'less than 78...'?

Thanks. Renata

**Tho** · 09-30-2002, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by Vaya

Hm...

up over? I haven't seen it before. Does it mean 'more than 78...'?
If so then 'up to' means 'less than 78...'?

Thanks. Renata

Hi, Rentana!
if i understand your post correctly, "make up" here mean occupy, not "up over".
HTH.