How to remember an Articles: "THE"

 

In this chapter, you will:

 Define an article:"THE"

• Learn the use of the definite article "The" 
• Understand the indefinite articles 'A' and 'An
• Learn exceptions to the rules

I. DEFINITION

An article is a word that is used at the beginning of a noun phrase. There are two types of articles: Definite article 'the' and indefinite articles 'a' and 'an'.

Articles are used:

• to indicate things that are known to the speaker as well as the listener. (The)
•  to indicate things that are not known to either the speaker or the listener. (A, an)

II. DEFINITE ARTICLE THE

A. The' is used before a noun when the thing indicated by it is known to the reader or thelistener.

Examples:

I am going to the market. (The market where I always go)

I did not enjoy the film. (The film seen by the speaker and the listener)

 He arrived on the 9.00 o'clock train. (The speaker specifies which train)  

Did you sweep the floor? (Speaker indicates which floor)

 In the above examples, the speaker and the listener/reader know the things that are being spoken about. Therefore, 'the' is used to indicate them.

B. The speaker and the listener know the things because:

1.. These things have been mentioned already.

Examples:

Mr. Rai owns two houses in Mumbai; one in Bandra and the other in Colaba. The house in Bandra was bought earlier than the house in Colaba.

What did he do? He handed over the purse to the police officer.

(The listener is told about the purse and the police officer in an earlier instance)

2. When we are singling out the thing we are speaking about.

Examples:

• Who are the boys over there with Jim?
• Tell Susie the story about Jack and Jill. 
• I shall wear the green dress.

3. Things mentioned are understood from the situation.

Examples:

• Will you shut the door?
• I am in the kitchen.
• Did you like the beach.

C. "The' is used when the reader knows the things that are stated because there is no              other choice. There is only one of that type of thing so the reader knows and understands what is meant by 'the' in context.

Examples:

• I haven't seen the moon today
• Can you see the stars above?
• What is the shape of the earth?

D. The' is used in case of superlatives. There is only one biggest, best, etc. So it is understood

     which thing is being referred to

Examples:

• I'm the tallest in my class.
• She's the youngest in her family

E. The' is used after a name in an identifying expression to further describe the person/thing,

Examples:

• Mahatma Gandhi, the national leader, preached non-violence.
• Did you see Minnie, the girl with red hair?
• I once met Amitav Ghosh, the novelist. .
• I purchased a Hobner guitar, the most expensive in the catalogue.

F. When the members of a group are generalised, no article is used. However, when a

    sentence speaks about a specific group, "the" is used.

Examples: 

• Teachers are usually underpaid.
• The teachers planned to go on a strike. 
• Nuns are not attached to material things.
• The nuns were standing outside the church.

G. "The' is used in a sentence that indicates the physical environment. The suggests that the listener/reader knows what is being spoken about.

Examples:

• My husband likes the mountains, but I prefer the seaside. 
• I love to play in the rain.
• I love the weather in the country.

H. The' is used with singular forms of the musical instruments that are spoken about in general.

Examples:

• I have learned to play the guitar. 
• The piano is very difficult.
• They sent me to learn the violin. 

I. "The' is used with different place names.

Examples:

• Seas (The Indian Ocean)
• Islands (The Caribbean islands)
• Mountains (The Himalayas)
•  Rivers (TheGanges)
•  Deserts (The Sahara)
• Museums, Galleries (The Jehangir Art Gallery, the African American museum)

from:

VINITA SAXENA

saxenavinita02@gmail.com