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Rh (3) When the noun in the genitive case is an indefinite one, which denotes a part of something, the material of which a thing is made, or the contents of the first noun, the article is used with the first noun when it is used in English:—


 * , the piece of bread.
 * , the bag of meal.
 * , the little jug of water.

We say, for, the taste of bread; , the smell of fish; , the son of a king; because if the noun in the genitive expresses quality, connection, or origin, the governing noun does not take the article.

If a nominative be followed by several genitives the article can be used only with the last (if “the” be used in English), as,, the weight of the horse’s head.

The article is often omitted before a noun which is antecedent to a relative clause; as,. He is the person who was there.

In the following cases the definite article is frequently used in Irish though not used in English.

(1) Before surnames, when not preceded by a Christian name, as, Was Walsh there?