It is used with uncountable, singular and plural nouns.
- the water (uncountable)
- the table (singular countable)
- the stars (plural countable)
We use the:
a. to talk about people and things that we have already mentioned.
- She's got two children: a girl and a boy.
- The boy's fourteen and the girl's eight.
b. when we are saying which people or things we mean.
- Who's the girl in the car over there with John?
c. when it is clear from the situation which people or things we mean.
- Could you close the door? (Only one door is open.)
- 'Where's Ann?' 'In the kitchen.'
- Could you pass the salt?
2 We do not use the with other determiners (for example my, this, some.)
- This is my uncle. (NOT . . . the my uncle.)
- I like this beer. (NOT . . . the this beer )
We do not usually use the with proper names (there are some exceptions).
- Mary lives in Switzerland. (NOT The Mary lives in the Switzerland.)
We do not usually use the to talk about things in general — the does not mean 'all'.
- Books are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.)
No comments:
Post a Comment