Love

The definite article in English. How to use the definite article the

Every language has rules and there are exceptions. The former are subject to explanation and logic, the latter to cramming. If you study english language, and Russian is your native language, you are incredibly lucky! You will have to cram less than you would if you mastered Russian.

Getting acquainted with such topics in English as modal verbs or articles, you may not agree with me: there are so many rules that your head is spinning. And yet, I will allow myself to insist on my own. The variety of use cases can be reduced to a few basic points, and in all other cases you need to be able to find the logic of the first. And, of course, the rest will have to be remembered. This article will focus on the most basic rules for using articles and situations where the article is not required at all.

As you know, in English language There are 2 types of articles: uncertain (a/an) - for countable entities. in the singular, which is omitted in the plural, and definite(the).

The logic of all the rules for the use of articles comes down to a few basic points.

Indefinite article

indefinite article a/an is an evolved Old English numeral "one". This fact determines 2 basic rules for the use of this article.

because is the former numeral a/an can be used only with countable nouns (which we can count):

a car, a cup, a lamp , a bottle, an apple

Have a drink. There is a bottle of wine in the fridge.

because this is the numeral "1", we can use a/anonly with countable singular nouns In plural the article disappears:

_ car s, _ cup s, _ lamp s, _ bottle s

Have a drink. There are (several) _ bottle s of wine in the fridge.

indefinite article highlights one item out of many like it, no different from it. You have little information about him.

I had a sandwich for breakfast.

There is a book on the table.

Definite article

Like indefinite, it came from Old English, which had demonstrative pronoun that. And if you point to something, then your interlocutor will immediately understand what kind of subject it is, and any uncertainty disappears. Definite the article is called definite because it is clear from the situation what person / object / event you are talking about

The sandwich that I ate for breakfast(identifies which particular sandwich was bad) was obviously bad. I feel sick now.

The book on the table(book on the table) is the Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

And now about situations when the article is not needed at all

The article is not put if

If you have uncountable noun and you do general statement

_ Love is a wonderful feeling.

_ Coffee is good for your health when consumed in moderation.

I often listen to _ music.

The word is part of an expression that is an exception and must be remembered

What did you have for breakfast?

It's time to go to bed now.

However ATTENTION! There are a number of expressions that will be used either without an article or with a definite article, depending on the situation and the meaning that you put in. These are expressions containing words prison, hospital, school, university, church and some others.

If we get into one of these institutions and use them, so to speak, for their intended purpose, that is, serving time (prison), undergoing treatment (hospital), receiving general education (school) or studying a specific specialization (university), reading prayers and confessing (church), then in all expressions with these words there will be no article. In all other cases, an article is needed. Compare:

Table. The use of the article with the names of institutions in English

Now for a little practice. Here are a number of combinations with articles. It is necessary to explain the use of this or that article.

Why do we say:

Can you turn off the light, please? - Because it is clear that the light must be turned off in the room where the speaker is
I took a taxi to the station. Because not just to any station, but a station in this city, and you go to a particular bus or railway station
Do you like _ Chinese food? Chinese food/cuisine - General term consisting of an uncountable noun and an adjective
I'd like to talk to the manager please. - Because the store has one general manager to whom you can contact with questions, complaints, etc.
The sun is a star. Because there are many different stars, and the sun is one of them.
I often go to the cinema/theatre. - Probably, it happened historically: earlier in the cities, if there were cinemas or theaters, then, so to speak, in a single copy. Therefore, when you say that you are going to the cinema, there were no questions about which one.
I must go to the bank. - You apply to the bank in which you have an account, and not to any.
I listen to _ classical music from time to time. - Classical music is a general concept consisting of an uncountable noun and an adjective
Is there a bank near here? - This is a situation in which you do not care which bank branch to contact. For example, when you are abroad and you need to withdraw money from the card.
I work in the city centre. - There is only one center in the city.
Can you tell the time? - You want to know the current time
_ Doctors are paid more than _ teachers. - Doctors in general. You can also say: A doctor is paid more than a teacher.
Who is the best player in your team? There is only one best player. When you talk about the very best(superlative degree) - the very best, the biggest, the most beautiful, the most interesting etc. always use the.

I repeat once again that you can read about stable combinations with one article or another in any grammar textbook, all other cases are amenable to the logic outlined above. Language, after all, is a pretty logical thing, and sometimes doing a grammar test is akin to solving mathematical equations or logic puzzles. Therefore, turn on the logic, remember the exceptions, and the articles will submit to you!

In English, unlike Russian, special words are widely used - articles. The article and the rules for its use in English are presented below in examples to facilitate the perception of the necessary material. There are two articles in English - the definite the and indefinite a (an) . The article is usually only placed before nouns. The indefinite article applies exclusively to singular countable nouns, while the definite article can be applied to various singular and plural nouns, whether or not they are countable.

First, let's remember in which cases the article is not used. The article is not used if the noun is preceded by (one, two, six, etc), a possessive or (this, that, my, our etc.), another possessive noun (my father's, Mary's etc), or the negation of "no" (not not!). Examples:

My room is not big, but comfortable - My room is small but comfortable.
There are two boys in the yard - there are two boys in the yard.
I have no brother - I don't have a brother.

Google shortcode

Note: if a noun in the possessive case performs the function of an adjective, the use of the article is possible, for example: Paul is a man's name(man's name). Paula is a woman's name(woman's name). It's a children's bicycle(children bicycle).

The article is not used with uncountable nouns denoting an indefinite amount of a substance or an abstract concept:

I don't like tea, I prefer coffee. I don't like tea, I prefer coffee Tea coffee- generally)
Friendship is one of the most important things in my life. Friendship is one of the most important things in my life (friendship is an abstract concept)

The article is not used with the names of sports:

I am fond of football, and my sister prefers badminton. — I love football, but my sister prefers badminton.

Also, the article is not used with proper names (except for some geographical names, which will be discussed below).

Indefinite article "a"

The indefinite article is "a" / "an" - this is not an independent article, but a form of the indefinite, which is used before nouns that begin with a vowel sound: an apple, an orange.

The forms a and an are remnants of the Old English word for "one", so The indefinite article is only used with singular nouns.

The indefinite article is used in the following cases:

The first time an item is mentioned. For example, I live in a house.
When designating a profession or occupation. For example, She is a teacher. My friend is a student.
After: This is, That is, It is, There is. For example, This is a computer. There is a rose in the vase.
If an adjective characterizing it is used with a noun, in such cases the article is placed before the adjective. Example: This is a flower. This is a red flower.
Remember the use of the indefinite article in the following types of sentences

— What a beautiful color!
— What a tasty cake!
— What a good girl!

The definite article "the"

The definite article is used in the following cases:

If we are talking about a certain subject that we have already talked about, or if we understand from the context what it is about. For example, Yesterday I saw a film. The film was not interesting.
With items that are one of a kind Thesun, thewind, themoon,theearth
After . For example, There is a cat in front of the monitor.
C - the smallest - the smallest, the quickest - the fastest
C, for example: the first book, the fifth floor (BUT: if the ordinal number denotes a number, the article is not put: Lesson 7, Bus 15, page 45)
With cardinal points: In the north; in the south; in the east; in the west
With a surname - when it comes to the whole family - the Ivanovs - Ivanovs, the Smiths - Smiths
In stable phrases: In the morning; in the evening; in the afternoon; to the cinema/ theatre; to the shop/market; at the cinema/the theatre; at the shop/ the market

Definite article with place names

The definite article must be used with the following geographical names:

seas - the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea
oceans - the Pacific Ocean
rivers - the Voilga, the Nile
channels - the English Channel
bays, straits - the Gulf of Mexico, the Bosphorus Straits
archipelagos - the Seichelles
deserts - the Sahara, the Gobi
mountain ranges - the Alps
countries, if the name contains the word Republic, Federation, Kingdom, it is in the plural (t he Netherlands) or shortened to an abbreviation (the USA, the UK)

The article is not used with the names of countries, lakes, mountains (peaks), islands, cities, continents, streets, squares, airports. Exceptions:

theGambia— Gambia,
the Hague from The Hague

The definite article is also used with the names of hotels, cinemas, theaters, newspapers and magazines.

We have reflected the basic rules for the use of the article. There are many nuances, and the scope of one article does not allow to mention everything. But we have prepared another video tutorial on some difficult cases of using the article:

We hope that the above will help you understand the articles in English and use them correctly in your speech, but do not forget that repetition is the mother of learning, do not be lazy to revise the rules as often as possible.

Hello my wonderful readers!

You can probably guess what is the most frequently used word in English speech, right? Of course it is the article "the". And today we will analyze where its use in English is appropriate and where it is not. We will study the rules for its use, look at numerous examples, and analyze a table with stable expressions that you can always have at hand. And then you can go to and to consolidate everything you learned here.

Go ahead, friends!

A little bit of grammar

If the article “a” (about it in detail!) Is used only with nouns that can be counted, then “the” is used with all nouns: and in singular and plural; both countable and non-countable items .

By the way, the pronunciation of the article also changes depending on which letter the next word begins with. If the word begins with a consonant, then the article is pronounced like [ðə], for example the banana - banana. But if the subject begins with a vowel, then it is pronounced like [ði], for example, the apple - Apple.

When to use

If in speech or in writing already mentioned subject, then in the future you can put this article with it.

I received an e-mail from my friends. The letter told me that they would visit me on the weekend.- I received a letter from my friends. The letter said that they would visit me over the weekend.

With unique items that are one and only of their kind, we also use the - the sun, the moon, the Earth.

The moon today is extremely beautiful. The moon is incredibly beautiful today.

The article has a special relationship with geographical names. With titles rivers, deserts, oceans, island groups and mountain ranges we can confidently use the article, but we must not forget about exceptions. I am very detailed about them.

The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.- The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.

The Comoro Islands attract lots of tourists every year.- Comoros attracts many tourists every year.

With titles hotels, cinemas, ships, museums, galleries and newspapers we most often also use the definite article.

The Hilton hotel is about to open in our city.- In our city, the Hilton hotel is about to open.

The Louvre is the most attended museum in Europe.- The Louvre is the most visited museum in Europe.

With adjectives in the highest degree of comparisons: the most, the best, the worst.

The most beautiful place I've ever been is Japan in spring.- The most beautiful place I have ever seen is Japan in the spring.

The best books I've ever read were about Harry Potter.- The best books I've read are Harry Potter.

With musical tools and titles dancing.

The violin is my most beloved musical instrument.- The violin is my favorite musical instrument.

The contemporary has become very popular among dancers some years ago.- Contempo became very popular among dancers a few years ago.

When not used

It is important to know when the definite article is used, but it is equally important to know when it is. not used.

with plural nouns that can't be counted when we say something general.

Trees produce oxygen.- Trees produce oxygen. (any trees, in general)

With names own and before names we never use it.

Jinny is very talented. She can play 3 different musical instruments. Ginny is very talented. She can play three different instruments.

With titles countries, cities, streets, parks, mountains, lakes, bridges and islands we try to avoid it.

Spain is mostly famous for its football club Barcelona. - Spain is mostly known for its football club Barcelona.

I dream of climbing Everest.- I dream of climbing Everest.

With titles sports, activities, games, colors, days, months, drinks, meals he is not friendly.

I can speak Turkish a little.- I can speak Turkish a little.

I was born in July. - I was born in July.

My favorite color is green. - Green is my favorite color.

If we have pronouns this, that, those- we not use "the". In addition, with possessive pronouns (and the possessive case in general!) we also do not use it.

This the ball was signed by a famous football player.- This ball was signed by a famous football player.

Kathy's dress is ready. I've already cleaned it.- Casey's dress is ready. I cleaned it yesterday.

With words school, church, hospital, college, university, court, prison we use it or we don't use it depending on meaning. Let's see an example:

I go to school from Monday to Friday.- I go to school from Monday to Friday. (as a student)

My mother went to the school for a meeting. My mother went to school for a meeting. (As a parent, not as a student)

With titles diseases we can also use or do not use article.

I've got (the) flu. - I got sick.

Set expressions

Both the and a form fixed expressions that cannot be changed in any way. So let's get to know them (By the way, if you need general information about the articles of the English language, then you are).

I am sure that now that you have a hint in the form of a table and structured rules in your hands, it will be much easier for you to master the ones that I have prepared for you. And after them, you can move on to. Practice as much as possible, study, learn new rules and improve your English.

And I'm ready to help you with this. The materials on my blog are constantly updated, and my subscribers receive them even before they appear on the site. I look forward to seeing you there as well, to share important materials with the very first.

And for today I say goodbye.

Greetings, my dear readers.

I know that I usually start with something else, but today I have a task for you right away. I want you to look at these sentences and tell me what is the difference.

Tommy sat down on a chair while waiting for his turn. Tommy sat down on a chair while waiting for his turn.

Tommy sat on the chair nearest to the door while waiting for his turn. Tommy sat down on the chair closest to the door while he waited his turn.

You have probably already noticed that the difference is in the very articles and the meanings that they carry. And yes, my dears, today we will have an exciting journey, where there will be an important topic for you and me - articles in English. I will tell you the basic rules, give many examples, both for children and adults. And I also immediately give you links to and on the topic of articles.

What is it and what is it used for?

Let's define right away: article is something that should always come before a noun. He defines the noun, very roughly speaking, so that we can better understand what is being said.

What are they and what are they used for?

There are three of them in total: a, an and the.

And their use depends on which noun follows next. There are two types of nouns in English:

Countable- those that we can count. For example:

Pen

Earring - earring

Uncountable The ones we can't count. For example:

Sugar - sugar

water - water

To understand when articles are used, we also need to remember that nouns are singular (diamond - diamond) or plural (diamonds - diamonds).

And now, just to be absolutely clear, here is table with examples where you can clearly see where and with what they are used.

Brother "a"

This article also bears the not at all proud name " uncertain » ( ). This is because it is usually placed in front of objects, of which there are many throughout the world. And it is used only with nouns that can be counted, and even then if they are in the singular. That is, if there is a lot of something, and you need to mention one thing, it is necessary to use this particular article. Let's look at examples:

This morning I bought a magazine.- I bought a magazine this morning. (Not any specific magazine, but one of those that were in the store).

I had a sandwich for lunch.- I had a sandwich for lunch. (Some one sandwich).

My sister got a job. - My sister got a job. (One of the existing works around the world).

By the way, the article "a" has a small, modest brother, which appears quite rarely - before words that begin with vowels. This is "an". His goal is the same, so do not be afraid - do not get confused.

I've got an apple and an orange with me. - I have an apple and an orange with me.

Brother "the"

The article the, it also bears the name definite , is used when we know the subject to be discussed. Next to him, countable and uncountable nouns both in the singular and in the plural calmly coexist ( You can learn more about him).

In addition, very often it is used with geographical names and set expressions that you just need to learn. But it is important to remember that everywhere, including the names of places, there are exceptions that we will learn separately ( Come in to find out about it.).

Rosy doesn't feel well. She went to the doctor. Rosie doesn't feel well. She went to the doctor. (To the doctor she usually goes to).

Did Molly get the job she applied for? Did Molly get the job she applied for? (Exactly the job she applied for).

When is it not at all?

OK then,- you say. - When these articles are used, we understand. But we do not always use only them!

And here you will be right, because the English language prepared a small test for us and created cases where the article is not needed at all. And this phenomenon even got its name - zero article. Its use is mainly associated with exceptions to the previous rules. Or if we use in speech proper names(Tom, Mary, Ritha) or any concepts in general.

Apples grow on the trees.- Apples grow on trees. (In general, all apples as a species).

Tom bought a bike. Tom bought himself a motorcycle. (There is no article before proper nouns.)

There are also situations when nothing needs to be put before a noun. It happens after pronouns(my, our, his, this, that, etc.).

By the way, my dears, after completing the lesson with the rules, never forget to practice. I have for you that will help to consolidate new material for a long time. You can also, which will help you remember the rules for using articles for a long time. Of course, articles are not the easiest rules for children, whether it's 2nd grade or 8th grade. And adults usually suffer with them too. But with my help, I hope you can figure them out faster.

Do not forget that you can receive news from my blog much faster by simply subscribing to the newsletter. Be the first to know about all important events.

Hi all! Each language has its own rules that lend themselves to logic and explanation, and there are exceptions that are subject only to cramming. If your native language is Russian and you study English, then you are very lucky. You will have to learn a lot less rules. When studying irregular or modal verbs, you may not agree with me. But believe me, there are far fewer rules and exceptions in English than in Russian. Definite article

Many cases of using, for example, articles in English can be reduced to a few basic rules, and in other cases, you need to learn how to find the logic of these same rules. Well, the rest, of course, you just have to memorize :). In this article, I will tell you about the basic rules for using the Definite Article in English.

You already know from previous lessons that there are two types of articles in English: uncertain (a/an) and definite (the), expressed by the given single form. Individualizing "The", like the definite, came from the Old English language, where it served as a demonstrative pronoun "that"(this that).

By pointing at something or someone, you rid your speech of any uncertainty, and the interlocutor will immediately understand what you are talking about. " The"That's why it is called definite, because when it is used, it is immediately clear about what object, person or event and it's about: The sandwich on the table(identifies a specific book lying on a specific table).

Thus, Definite Article sometimes used when the person or thing mentioned is known to both the listener and the speaker (from the environment, context previously mentioned in the conversation): It is a table - this is a table. The table is at the wall - the table is near the wall.

Basic Rules for Using the Definite Article

The fact that Definite Article is derived from a demonstrative pronoun determines the basic rules for its use. "The", unlike "a/an", can be used in any number and placed before any nouns. But in what situation? So, the definite article is used before:

One of a kind items: The Moon moves around the Earth. — The moon moves around the earth.
Items that have a definition: The boy that has stolen a picture, was caught. The boy who stole the painting has been caught.(Which boy? - who stole the painting)
Objects from a limited collection or group: The wheel of the lorry was missing. The truck didn't have a wheel.(One of the 4 or 6 wheels of the truck was missing).

Article The

These are the basic rules for using Definite Article.

In general, try to do this: put the pronoun “this” or “that” before the noun.If the meaning of the sentence or phrase does not change, then feel free to sculpt "The", and if it changes, then before an uncountable noun. in units we put “a / an”, and if this is a plural noun, then we don’t put the article at all!Simply and easily! But you need to know the rules, so let's continue.