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

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Definite article- Definite article

Definite article refers to some specific, specific object that has already been mentioned, is known from the context, or is the only one of its kind at all.

The definite article in English has the form the, which is read [ði] before words that begin with a consonant sound and [ð?] - from a vowel.

The definite article is used with singular and plural nouns:

1. When we hear or read about an object not for the first time in a given context, when it is clear what is being said in this setting.
A. From previously said or read
When I was walking I saw a new store. When I was walking, I saw a new store.
The store was so big. The store was so big.
b. It's clear what's going on in this situation.
The seminar is over. The seminar is over (appeal to the participants of the seminar where they are at the moment).
2. With nouns that are somehow individualized.
A. The only thing in the environment
Could you show me the way to the sea, please. Could you show me the way to the sea, please? (Usually there is only one sea in a city.)
b. Clarification
Lend me the book you read yesterday. Lend me the book you read yesterday.
It is the Michael I dinned yesterday with. This is Michael, with whom I had lunch yesterday.
V. Substance in a certain amount
Pass me the salt, please. Pass me the salt, please (meaning the salt shaker).
3. With nouns that are the only ones of their kind in general (the names of the planets and their satellites, stars; sky, horizon, earth (soil), etc.), or in a certain situation / setting (for example, in an apartment - one floor and ceiling, in a city - one central park).
A. The only one of its kind at all
the Earth Earth (planet)
the Sun
the Moon
the ground earth (soil)
b. In a given situation/environment
the floor
the selling ceiling
The central park is in 5 minutes walking from here. Central Park is a five minute walk from here.
4. Before nouns that denote a whole class of any objects (persons / objects), except for the words man (man), woman (woman), God (God).
The eagle is a hawk. The eagle is a bird of prey.
The young ought to respect the old. The youth should respect the elders.
Do you believe in God? Do you believe in God?
Note: The same point is also in the material on the indefinite article. The fact is that both definite and indefinite articles can be used in front of nouns in a generalizing sense; in some cases they can be interchanged without distorting the meaning of the sentence, and in some not:
1. The article the is used when the attention in the sentence is focused on the generalization of the entire class of objects.
2. The article a/an reflects a property of an object, not the class to which it belongs.
5. A noun is preceded by a superlative adjective or ordinal number.
It is the first vacation for 2 years. This is the first vacation in two years.
This is the best movie I "ve ever seen. This is the best movie I've ever seen.
6. Before nouns that denote parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening, night).
I usually go to bed at nine in the evening. I usually go to bed at nine o'clock in the evening.
7. Before surnames in the plural, when one specific family is meant.
We are the visiting Volkovs tomorrow. Tomorrow we are going to visit the Volkovs.
8. Before the grammatical names of categories, forms.
The verb is the biggest grammar category in the English language. The verb is the largest grammatical category in the English language.
Note: When using the word English in the meaning of "English", the article is not used, and when adding the word language (language), the article is used the: The English language.
9. Before the names of nationalities and peoples.
The Russians are one hundred and twenty seven million of strength. The number of Russians is one hundred and twenty-seven million.
10. Before the names:
A. cardinal directions
the South
b. Poles
the North Pole North Pole
V. Rivers, lakes, canals, seas, straits, oceans
the Red sea
Regions
the Far East Far East
e. Groups of Islands
the Hawaii
e. Deserts
the Gobi Desert
and. mountain ranges
the Himalayas Himalayas
h. Notable structures and buildings (unless the name includes the name of a person or place)
the Tower of Pisa
Buckingham palace
And. Clubs, theaters, cinemas, musical groups
the Bolshoi Theater
j. State organizations and political parties
the Greens
l. Most of the newspapers
the Times
m. Galleries, monuments and museums
the Tretyakov art gallery
n. Ships
the Aurora ship
O. Other names preceded by the definite article
the Metropol (Hotel)
The Moscow Narodny Bank
the Bolshoy Theater
the Moskva (Cinema) Cinema "Moscow"
the Pushkin Museum Pushkin
the ArbatRestaurant Arbat Restaurant
the Likhachev Plant
the Baltic Coast
the Thames (River)
the Mediterranean (Sea)
the Atlantic Ocean
the Persian Gulf
the Suez Canal
the Queen Elizabeth II (the ship)
the Spartak Stadium
the Canaries (the group of islands)
the Amazon Amazon (river)
the Sahara Sahara (desert)
the Black Forest Black forest (Ukraine)
the Alps (mountain ranges)
the Crimean war
the Indians (the ethnic group)
11. In phrases:
in the morning
in the afternoon
in the past
and so on.
on the right
on the whole in general
and so on.
the day before yesterday
the day after tomorrow
and so on.
to go to the gallery
to go to the country
and so on.

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Indefinite article a/an in English (the indefinite article) has two forms:

a[ə] - used before consonants. That is, if the word begins with a consonant sound, it is used a:

a b ok, a t able, a m an, a g irl, a c computer, a t omato, a yacht [ jɒt], a unit[ ˈj uːnɪt]

an[ən] - used before vowels. That is, if the word begins with a vowel sound, it is used an:

an a pple, an e ngineer, an i dea, an o range, an a nswer, an hour [ˈ aʊə(r)]

Please note that the choice of the form of the indefinite article is determined not by spelling, but by pronunciation.

For example, the word hour starts with a vowel, so we use the article an (an hour), although the first letter is a consonant h. Or, for example, the word yacht (yacht) spelled with a vowel y, but the consonant sound [j] is pronounced, so we choose a (a yacht). The use of different forms of the same article helps to make speech harmonious, light, natural. Try to pronounce a apple or an book and you will feel how difficult and uncomfortable it is.

Remember:

Indefinite article a/an used only with in the singular:

a pen(pen), a story(story), a chair(chair), a child(child), a flower(flower)

If the noun is used in the plural form, then the indefinite article is absent. The absence of an article before a noun is commonly referred to as the "zero article".

pens(pens), stories(stories), chairs(chairs), children(children), flowers(flowers)

When the indefinite article a / an is used

Below you will find a description of the main uses of the indefinite article. a/an in English.

№1

Indefinite article a/an used when we first mention an object or person. In this case, we assume that our interlocutor does not know what or who we are talking about.

Yesterday I bought a handbag. — I bought a bag yesterday.
Up until this point, I hadn't even said that I was going to buy a bag. That is, I mention this for the first time (my interlocutor does not know anything about this bag), hence the indefinite article a/an.

If you continue to talk about this bag, then the noun handbag (bag) will already be used with the definite article the, since this time the interlocutor knows which particular bag we are talking about:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. The handbag is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. The handbag is very beautiful.

Although most often a personal pronoun is used instead of a noun, it sounds more natural and avoids repetition:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. It is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. She is very beautiful.

№2

Indefinite article a/an is used when we are not talking about a given (specific) object or person, but simply about any, about some, about one of a group of the same objects or people. In other words, when we talk about an object or a person in general, not meaning a specific skirt, work, handle or dog:

I want to buy a skirt. — I want to buy a skirt. (some kind of skirt, I don’t know which one yet; I only know that I want a skirt, not a dress)
He refused to look for a job. He refused to look for a job. (any job)
give me a pen, please. - Give me a pen, please. (any, any)
It is a dog. - This is a dog. (some dog, any dog)

When we are not talking about a certain object or person, but about any, then further, if we need to re-designate it, we do not use personal pronouns or the definite article the. Again, we use the indefinite article a/an or pronoun one.

She wants a car but he says they don't need one. She wants a car, but he says they don't need it.
or
She wants a car but he says they don't need a car. She wants a car, but he says they don't need a car.
She wants to have a car (not a motorcycle, not a bicycle, but some kind of car, so a car), but he says that they do not need a car (they do not need any car at all, and not some specific one). Since in the second part of the sentence we are again talking about any / indefinite machine, we again use a car.

№3

Indefinite article a/an we also use to describe or give some information about what has already been mentioned before. In this case, an adjective is often used before the noun. Note that although the article comes before the adjective, it refers to the noun:

It is a beautiful place. - This is a beautiful place. (describe what this place is)
He is a clever boy. - He is a smart boy. (characterize what kind of boy he is)
Do you live in a big house? — Do you live in a big house? (we ask which house)

When we talk about a person's profession or work, we also use the indefinite article a/an:

She is a teacher. - She is a teacher.
I am a doctor. - I am a doctor.

№4

Historically indefinite article a/an derived from the numeral one (one). Hence the possibility in some cases to replace the article a/an numeral one. Such a substitution is possible when the article a/an essentially means "one". For example, this meaning of the indefinite article is observed in numerals a hundred (one hundred), a thousand (thousand), a million (million) and in the word a dozen (dozen) when they are used alone or before a noun:

This toy costs a thousand rubbles. = This toy costs one thousan d rubbles. This toy costs a thousand rubles (one thousand rubles).
give me a dozen, please. = Give me one dozen, please. - Give me a dozen, please (one dozen).

It is with the origin of the numeral one (one) and the meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article is connected, which is especially evident when expressing measures of time, distance, weight or quantity:

This chocolate bar costs a dollar. This bar of chocolate costs a dollar. (=one dollar, we can replace a dollar on one dollar)
I'll call you in an hour. - I'll call you in an hour. (=in one hour, we can replace an hour on one hour)
Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? — Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? (=one kilogram, we can replace a kilo on one kilo)

Please note that the numeral one instead of the article a/an should only be used if you want to emphasize that you are talking about exactly one thing or person, that is, when you want to be very precise:

I have got one sister. - I have one sister. (not two sisters, not three, but only one)
I have got a sister. - I have a sister. (in this case, I'm just reporting that I have a sister)

The meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article can be seen in some stable phrases that convey the one-time action:

have a look- take a look
have a snack- have a snack
have a try- try, try
have a rest- relax
have a good time- have a good time
give a chance- give a chance
give a hint- hint
give a lift- give a ride
make a mistake- make a mistake
play a trick- play a trick

№5

Indefinite article a/an also used when it is necessary to indicate the quantity per unit of measure. For example, when we talk about the price of oranges per kilogram, the amount of wages per month, the number of lessons per week, or the speed of a car per hour. The noun denoting this very one unit of measurement will be used with the indefinite article.

The oranges were 80 rubles a kilo. - Oranges cost 80 rubles per kilogram.
She works 8 hours a day. She works 8 hours a day.
I go to aerobics twice a week. — I go to aerobics twice a week.

№6

Indefinite article a/an can also be used with some uncountable abstract nouns (for example, humor - humor, hatred - hatred, anger - anger, magic - magic) when they carry an adjective. Usually such use of the indefinite article is characteristic of the book style and expresses the author's desire to emphasize the individual, special character of this or that abstract concept.

Note that in the case described above, the use of the indefinite article is optional. If you do not want to emphasize in a certain way the special character of any emotion, character trait, etc., the article a/an may not be used.

On a note

To learn how to use the indefinite article a/an more or less automatically, try forming this rule in your head: use the indefinite article with singular countable nouns when there is no other reason to use the definite article the or some other determiner (possessive or indefinite pronoun).

27.11.2014

An article is a word that defines a noun.

There are two kinds of articles in English: definite (the) and indefinite (a/an).

Based on the names, respectively, the indefinite article is used when we are talking about a phenomenon that we meet for the first time, an object in general, and a definite article is used when we are talking about something specific, or already encountered in a conversation.

The concept of the article is present in many languages of the world, but in the same number of languages it is absent.

So don't panic if your native language doesn't use articles.

The data will help you make fewer mistakes when speaking English.

It is very important to be able to use the correct articles in your speech or writing.

1. With the names of countries and continents

In this case, we do not use articles at all, BUT if the country name consists of parts, such as USA, UK, UAE, then our article appears the, and will be: the USA, the UK, the UAE, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands.

This also applies to continents and islands: usually we do not use the article, but if the name is collective, the definite article has a place to be.

For example: Africa, Europe, Bermuda, Tasmania BUT the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas.

She lived in America.
They live in England.
My friend is from the Czech Republic.

2. With the words breakfast, dinner, lunch

When it comes to eating in general, there is no article. But if you're talking about a specific breakfast, dinner, or lunch, use the.

Eg:

I don't eat breakfast.
We didn't like the dinner.

3. With job titles, professions

In this case, the indefinite article is used. a/an.

For example:

I want to be a politician.
My younger brother wants to be a vet.

4. With the names of the cardinal points

Usually the names of the cardinal directions are capitalized, so they are easy to recognize: the North, the South, the East, the West .

True, if a noun indicates a direction, then it should be used without an article and written with a small letter.

For example:

They went east.
The North is cooler than the South.

5. With the names of oceans, seas, rivers and canals

Remember that the definite article is always used with the names of these bodies of water.

For example: The Amazon, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal .

I would like to swim in the Red Sea, and you?
The Amazon is the longest river in the world.

6. With the names of unique phenomena

It means that a phenomenon or an object exists in one copy, one in its kind, in particular, the sun, the moon, the inter net , the sky , the earth.

Eg:

The sun is a star.
We looked up at all the stars in the sky.
He is always on the internet.

7. With uncountable nouns

This category of nouns implies those units and concepts that we cannot count. Plus, as an identification mark in most cases, they do not have an ending. -s- plural indicator.

But do not forget that there are ten exceptions to one rule, that is, if you are talking in general about any uncountable concept, there will be no article, but again, if the case is special, use the.

For example:

I like bread/milk/honey.
I like the bread/the milk/the honey. (Specifically this and nothing else.)

8. With surnames

If we are talking about members of the same family, you can put the article the before the surname. Thus, you designate a group of people, a family with one word.

Eg:

The Smith are coming for dinner today.
Have you seen the Jonson recently?

These are not all uses of articles in English. However, to begin with, remember these rules, gradually deepening your knowledge.

Article- This is a special function word in English, which is used before a noun. The article is often not translated into Russian. In English, the article is a determiner of a noun and is not an independent part of speech. Additionally about.

The definite article (the definite article) the used in English in the following cases:

1. The definite article is used before countable nouns, if it is clear from the situation/previous experience/context which object or person is being referred to.

Examples: We met a girl in the park. The girl was a famous actress. We met a girl in the park. This girl was a famous actress. (In the second sentence, the noun girl used with the definite article the, because the girl was already discussed in the previous sentence)
Please close the book. – Close the book, please. (It should be clear to the interlocutor which book is being discussed, otherwise the speaker could not use the article in this case the)

2. The definite article is used before a noun with a definition, which indicates what kind of subject it is.

Examples: show me the magazine that I gave you 2 weeks ago. Show me the magazine I gave you 2 weeks ago.
The key lying near the pillar is mine. - The key lying near the counter is mine.

3. The definite article is used with nouns that denote unique, one-of-a-kind objects, or the only objects in given conditions.

Examples:the sun - the sun (does not indicate the name of the planets, therefore it is used with the definite article as a phenomenon, the only one of its kind),
the moon - the moon (does not indicate the name of the planets, therefore it is used with the definite article as a phenomenon, the only one of its kind),
the sky - sky (one of a kind),
the Eiffel Tower - Eiffel Tower (the only one)
the captain - captain (since he is the only one on the ship),
the chief - chef (since he is the only chef in the restaurant),
the window - window (since it is the only one in the room),
the Earth - Earth (Earth as a planet, one of a kind),
BUT!
Noun Earth in the meaning of one of the planets (as Venus - Venus or Saturn - Saturn) used without an article and capitalized, since according to the rule the names of the planets are used without the article.

4. The definite article is used before a noun, which means not a separate object, but the whole class as a whole.

Examples:The lion is a wild animal. - The lion is a wild animal.
The pine is an evergreen tree. - Pine is an evergreen tree.

5. The definite article is used with the names of cinemas, hotels, museums, galleries, newspapers and magazines, ships.

Examples:the Odeon - cinema "Odeon",
the Astoria - hotel "Astoria",
the British Museum - British Museum,
the Tate Gallery - Tate Gallery,
the The Times - The Times newspaper
the Santa Maria - the ship "Santa Maria", etc.

Note! If the name of a city object (cinema, hotel, museum, gallery, etc.) contains the name of a settlement or a person’s name (ending in –s or ‘s), then the article is not used.

Examples: St. Paul's Cathedral - Cathedral of St. Paul
Madame Tussaud's Museum - Madame Tussauds Museum
Covent Garden - Covent Garden Opera House (named after the nearby market)
MacDonald's - McDonald's
Westminster Abbey - Westminster Abbey (named after the district)
Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace (after the name of the county in England)
Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh Castle
London Zoo - London Zoo
Scotland Yard - Scotland Yard

6. The definite article is used with the names of rivers, canals, seas, oceans, groups of islands, mountain ranges, deserts, lakes(if they are used without a word lake).

Examples:the Dnepr - Dnieper,
the Panama Canal - Panama Canal,
the Black Sea - Black Sea,
the Pacific Ocean - Pacific Ocean,
the Hawaiian Islands - Hawaiian Islands,
the Bahamas - Bahamas,
the Urals - Ural Mountains,
the Sahara desert - Sahara desert,
the Ontario - Ontario, etc.
BUT!
Lake Superior - Lake Superior
Leech Lake– (lake) Lich
loch Ness - (lake) Loch Ness (loch is the Scottish version of the word "lake")

7. The definite article is used with country names consisting of more than one word.

Examples:the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Union of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
the United States of America - the USA - United States of America,
the Philippines - Philippines,
the United Arab Emirates - United Arab Emirates,
the Netherlands - the Netherlands, etc.

As an exception, the definite article is used with the following countries and localities:

Examples:the Sudan - Sudan,
the Congo - Congo,
the Argentine Argentina,
the Ukraine - Ukraine,
the Crimea - Crimea,
the Caucasus - Caucasus, etc.

8. The definite article is used with the following city names:

Examples:the Hague - The Hague,
the Athens - Athens,
the Vatican - Vatican, etc.

9. The definite article is used with the following words (when they are used as adverbs of place):

Examples:beach- beach, cinema- cinema, city- city, country(side)- countryside, ground- Earth, jungle- jungle, library- library, pub- bar, radio- radio, sea- sea, sea side- coast, station- railway station, shop- shop, theater- theater, world- the world, etc.

10. The definite article is used with adjectives only - only, last - last, first - first.

Examples: It was the first time I was ever in love. It was the first time I fell in love.
I had the only dream to become an engineer-designer of the electronic devices. “My only dream was to become an electronics design engineer.

11. The definite article is used with.

Examples:the rich - rich,
the young - youth,
the homeless - homeless, etc.

12. The definite article is used c.

Examples: Nicole is the best friend. Nicole is your best friend.
Winter is the coldest season of the year. - Winter is the coldest season of the year.

13. The definite article is used with ordinal numbers.

Examples:the first - first,
the second - second,
the fifteenth - fifteenth,
the second Unit - the second lesson,
BUT
Unit 1 - Lesson 1, etc.

14. The definite article is used with words morning - morning, afternoon - day, evening - evening.

Examples: in the morning - in the morning,
in the afternoon - in the afternoon,
in the evening - in the evening.

15. The definite article is used with names of musical instruments.

Examples:the piano - piano,
the violin - violin
the double-bass - double bass,
the guitar - guitar, etc.

16. The definite article is used with names of nationalities.

Examples:the Ukrainian - Ukrainians,
the Belorussian - Belarusians,
the English - English,
the Dutch - Dutch, etc.

17. The definite article is used with a surname when it comes to the whole family.

Examples:the Petrovs - the Petrov family,
the Browns - the Brown family, etc.

18. The definite article is used with titles.

Examples:the queen - queen,
the Prince - prince,
the Lord - lord,
BUT!
Queen Victoria - Queen Victoria,
Prince William - Prince William,
Lord Byron - Lord Byron, etc.

1. The definite article the comes from the demonstrative pronoun this this and can determine countable and uncountable nouns both in the singular and in the plural.

The definite article has two pronunciations: [ze] if it is followed by a word beginning with a consonant sound:
the theater

and, [zi] if the word following it begins with a vowel sound:
the apple - apple
the English lesson - English lesson

2. The definite article is usually used in the following cases:
a. If the noun has already been mentioned or from the context it is clear what subject (or person) is being discussed:

This is a map. The map is large.
This is a map. The map (mentioned in the first sentence) is large.

My children are in the village.
My children are in the village (the interlocutors know which village they are talking about).

b. If the noun is one of a kind or in this situation:

"The Red Book of the USSR" was published in 1978.
"The Red Book of the USSR" was published in 1978.

c. If a noun determined by ordinal number or superlative adjectives:

The first wealth is health.
Health is the first wealth.

d. If the noun has limiting definition, answering the questions what ?, whose ?, which ?, which can be expressed either by a noun with a preposition, or by a subordinate attributive clause, or by participial turnover:

People who have a sense of humor usually have the power of sympathy strongly developed.
People who have a sense of humor usually have a highly developed sense of empathy.

e. Before nouns denoting a substance, if we are talking about a certain amount of this substance, which can sometimes be seen from the context:

Pass the milk, please.
Pass the milk, please.

The water in the glass is very cold.
The water in the glass is very cold.

f. Before nouns denoting parts of the day:

I get up at seven in the morning.
I get up at seven in the morning.

g. Before surnames used in the plural to refer to members of the same family:

Not used to come to the Simonovs on Sundays.
On Sundays he usually came to the Simonovs.

h. Before names of theaters, cinemas, museums, art galleries, hotels, ships, newspapers, magazines and so on.:

The British Museum was founded in 1753.
The British Museum was founded in 1753.

The Kremlin Palace of Congresses near the Troitsky gates was opened on October 17, 1961.
The Kremlin Palace of Congresses near the Trinity Gate opened on October 17, 1961.

i. Before names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, parts of the world:

Have you ever been to the Black Sea shore?
Have you ever been to the Black Sea coast?

The Urals divide the territory of Russia into European and Asian parts.
The Ural Mountains divide the territory of Russia into European and Asian parts.

The Volga is the longest river in Europe.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe.

j. Before names of grammatical categories(time, mood, pledge, case, etc.):

Some verbs in the Russian language are never used in the Passive Voice.
In Russian, some verbs are never used in the passive voice.

k. Before names of peoples, nationalities:

When at Rome, do as the Romans do.
When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do.

l. Before the following names of countries, localities and cities:

the Ukraine Ukraine
the Crimea
the Caucasus
the Congo Congo
the Netherlands
the Hague The Hague
the Lebanon
l like the sunny Crimea.
I love sunny Crimea.

m. Before geographical names, which are a combination of a common noun with a preceding defined word:

the United States
the English Channel - English Channel (English Channel)