proper nouns - "Internet" or "The Internet"


As a proper noun, and as something commonly referred to in everyday life, I've heard both "the internet," and "internet" when using it as a noun. Ex:



I went on the Internet



Vs.



I found my answer via Internet



Although the second of the two sounds more awkward when saying it out loud, is it still acceptable?



Answer



I would never use it without "the".


Note that your counter example may well not be one. It appears to be parallel to phrases like "by train" and "on foot", which don't use an article that would otherwise be needed.


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