Thursday, 1 July 2010

articles: the

The means something like 'you know which one I mean'.
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 generalthe does not mean 'all'.

  • Books are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.)

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