What is the proper use of the word "the" in front of country names?

Question

I was told it is proper to say, I went to the Ukraine. But you would never say I went to the Canada! Help.

Why, The Ukraine and not The Canada?

Canada is made up of Provinces, but not The Canada. Only for nations with States?

Answer 1

The ________ plural word. It's that EASY. The Netherlands, the Philipines, the Maldives, the Canary Islands, the USA... (states)etc.

Ukraine, the Ukraine, both are acceptable (dictionary)

THE before groups of islands... the Bahamas, the Maldives, etc.
.... if the first word is an adjective. (but not North South East West) The Hawaiian Islands, the Dominican Republic. The Great Barriar Reef. The United Kingdom.
Always use THE before rivers, chains of mountains, oceans and seas..
but NOT before Lakes, Capes, Lochs. Lake Geneva.

One exception: The Hague (political capital of the Netherlands)

Answer 2

a, an and the are definite articles and adjectives.

The Ukrainian country is where I went. Or I went to Ukraine.

Does Ukraine mean something like a "pasture." I went to the pasture. I don't know the meaning of Ukraine except as a country.

Answer 3

Ukraine comes from the word land so you are saying "the land". Our country is made up of many states united so it is "The United States". You use the word the when the translation of the country is a word or words that would normally be used with the. The low country is "The Netherlands".

Answer 4

I would say use "the" if it's plural or has a descriptor as well as a name (e.g., the Czech Republic). As for Ukraine, my understanding is that it was generally called "the Ukraine" while it was a Soviet republic, but now that it's a full country it's best to call it "Ukraine". I got this from someone who is ethnically Russian but grew up in "the Ukraine". Her family still lives in "Ukraine". It sounds right to me and to her Scottish husband.

Answer 5

Use 'the' if the country's name is plural, like the Netherlands or the United States. I wouldn't use it for the Ukraine, but it doesn't sound that weird.

Answer 6

I suspect that it is because Ukraine used to be a region rather than a state.

Answer 7

My grandfather was from there, came to the US in 1903, and he ALWAYS said "The Ukraine."

Answer 8

If that country is made up of different states you can use the before the name of that country.

Answer 9

A capatal letter T

Answer 10

I guess there is no quiet rule about that you could say in Russia, in China but you say in the UK and in The Phillipines,,,