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Indefinite article a/an in English language(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 singular :a pen(pen), a story(history), 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 beautiful place. (describe what this place is)
He is a clever boy. - He clever boy. (characterize what kind of boy he is)
Do you live in a big house? - Do you live in 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 the 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 the 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 the one kilo)
Please note that the numeral one instead of the article a/an should be used only if you want to emphasize that it is about one object or person, that is, when you want to be very precise:
I have gotone 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 classes 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).
It is impossible to brag about knowledge of English grammar without knowing minor at first glance, but important details, for example, articles. One of the most insidious and treacherous of these is the definite article "the". When communicating with a native speaker, it is very easy to "sleep" by using it out of place, or vice versa, missing it. Knowing the following 10 rules, you will be able to
strengthen your knowledge on the front of articles and be more confident in the correctness of your sayings. But be extremely careful - the rules are full of exceptions and pitfalls. Don't say thanks just yet. Check what we have in store for ya!
Let's start simple. You use the article when you want to distinguish a word from other possible versions. If there is no confusion as to what you mean then you do not use the article. Therefore, if everyone already knows, for example, where you go to school (to university or to work), you just say: "I"m going to school", because there is no confusion. Or if you say that ever going to school in general, you do not use the article « the". The same applies to the house - usually everyone has one, and hell with Paradise, which everyone is aware of. So, when you once again think about where you will go after death, think in English, and do it correctly: "I "m going to hell." However, when we talk about special hell of a particular religion, the article "the" should already be: " The hell of Islam is far worse than the hell of Chirstianity.»
With that being said, it is important to remember that if noun countable (one gun, two guns), then always put the article (the / a / an). And at the same time remember that can't bet his before plural (guns, books) or incalculablenouns(water, blood, advice, chocolate, meat etc.).
Generally
We do not set « the", when talking about something generally, no specifics.
Cats are awesome pets!
Here we are not talking about one particular awesome cat or pet, but about all the awesome cats and pets at once.
Women love it when men do it right.
People are evil in that neighborhood.
Sport
Names of sports and other types of physical activity do not require the article "the".
I love to go skiing in the winter.
I play baseball every day after school.
He loves watching hockey on TV.
She does yoga 3 times a week.
My daughter really enjoys dancing.
Family
We use « the"when we say about family(name) but not about a specific person or combinations with names:
We're having dinner with the Smiths tonight.
The Browns are going to play with us.
John is coming over later.
Mary Carpenter is my boss.
Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth's son.
President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
Numbers
Do not put the article, when:
- after the noun comes the number:
He's staying at the Haunted hotel in room 221.
The train to Noplaceville leaves from platform 2.
My Exorcism class is in room 6 on the first floor("first" acts as an adjective in this sentence and describes "the floor" - floor).
- year indicated:
1948 was a wonderful year.
He was born in 1995 .
We put the article front:
- superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers:
the third movie
the tallest kid
the last hour
- decades and other periods of years:
I"m the kid of the nineties.
This is a painting from the 1820's.
Only
If the sentence contains such a word, then feel free to sculpt “the” in front of it:
This is the only day we "ve had sunshine all week.
You are the only person she will listen to.
The only tea I like is black tea.
Not the first time
We put " a when we talk about something for the first time, and then change to « the', when what is in question it's getting clear. Also put « the', when all quite obvious or when something or someone is one of a kind. Using this rule, you will be right in most cases, but remember about hell and heaven.
He was talking to a man. The man was laughing.
She gave him a present. The present was very expensive.
I cleaned the bathroom this morning.
the sun is hot today.
He traveled around the world.
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners
We do not use article before meal names:
We had lunch at none.
I have breakfast at 7 a.m.
proper names
Majority names holidays, companies, languages, countries, streets, airports, stations, cities, continents, islands, individual mountains, lakes etc. are all proper names, and article here usually not needed. But it is in this section of the rules for the use of "the" that there is many exceptions so be extremely careful.
McDonald's has restaurants in 119 countries.
Victoria Station is in the center of London.
Can you direct me to Bond Street?
She lives in Florence.
I got some cool ideas for halloween. (there is only 1 Halloween that everyone knows about)
Asia and Europe are two continents, in case you didn't know.
Her son graduated from Harvard. (but "He has a master's degree from the University of Toronto»).
I'm leaving for america next week (but " the United States»).
Lake Ontario and Lake Huron are 2 of the Great Lakes("the Great Lakes" - a group of lakes on the border between Canada and the United States requires an article).
I teach people how to speak English / Chinese / Spanish / Russian(however, when talking about the inhabitants of a particular nation: " The Spanish are known for their warm hospitality").
Mount Everest is the one I plan to climb next week (but " the Endes», « the Rockies” or unusual names for individual mountains, such as Mt. the Matterhorn"(peak in the Pennine Alps).
Easter Island, Maui, Key West- none of these islands I "ve visited (but chains islands like " the Aleutians», « the Hebrides" or" the Canary Islands» require an article).
Names, establishments and places
We do not use « the" front:
- names of professions, subjects at school, shops and some places:
My office is located on main street/Washington Blvd.
I usually go to church on Sundays.
Did you go to school today?
She's studying business at university.
Engineering is a well-paid career.
He'll probably study medicine.
I'll get the card at Smith's.
Can you go to Boots for me?
- names of subjects at school:
math
geography
business
history
science
- front following words in its general sense:
school
prison
college
I hope to go to college.
He spent three years in prison.
We use « the" front:
- names of rivers, oceans and seas ( the Nile, the Pacific,the Arctic, the Atlantic, the Black Sea, the Thames);
- countries ( the Netherlands, the Philippines), also before those whose names include the words " republic", « states" And " kingdom» ( the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Republic of Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom);
- points of the globe ( the Equator, the North Field);
- geographic areas ( the Middle East, the West);
- deserts, forests, bays and peninsulas ( the Sahara, Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula).
- names of newspapers and famous buildings, works of art, museums and monuments ( the New York Times, the Guardian,the Vietnam Memorial, the Louvre, Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower,the Globe).
- before the names of hotels and restaurants, unless they are named after a person ( the Golden Lion, the Hilton).
- in front of already known places where people usually go ( the bank, the supermarket, the doctor's)
Let's go the movies.
My dad is in the hospital(Americans will put the article here, but the British can omit it).
She works at the post office.
What time do you have to be at the airport?
Please drop me off at the bus stop.
She doesn't like to go to doctor or the dentist.
Abbreviations
Or acronyms - an abbreviated form of the name of something, using the capital letters of each word to form a new one. So here it is if the acronym is pronounced like a word, we do not use « the»:
NATO[’neɪtoʊ] (North Atlantic Treaty Organization is pronounced in one word here) ambassadors met to discuss the situation.
UNSECO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) was formed in 1946.
Sorry, you've got AIDS(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
The same goes for abbreviations. names of educational institutions:
She has a Ph. D from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
However, if abbreviation is spelled, then article"the" is needed. And you may well say the NATO member(member of NATO).
The UN was created after the Second World War (United Nations = UN and spelled).
The same applies to the following abbreviations:
the EU(European Union)
the US(United States)
the CIA(Central Intelligence Agency)
the FBI(Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Now you are supposed to be from "the" to "you", but do not rush to be familiar. Do not forget about exceptions and the main rule. Good luck with learning English and keep the progress going!
Big and friendly family EnglishDom
Articles cause a lot of difficulties, and not only because there is no analogue in Russian and nothing to compare with. But because despite its certain meaning, there are a lot of cases of use and exceptions to them. So, what is the point of the definite article the?
The definite article also defines a noun, indicating its specificity. Its roots grow from the demonstrative pronoun that, which, like the article the, points to something specific, precise, definite. Form one, pronunciation two.
Small features of the use of the article the
As with the indefinite, it all depends on the subsequent noun. So, if there is a consonant at the beginning of a word, then the is pronounced like [ðƏ], and if it is a vowel or mute h, then -[ði]. Very often the definite article in English is replaced by possessive pronouns, if it is important to indicate who owns this or that object, person, etc. In some cases, it is replaced by its progenitors - demonstrative pronouns - this, that, these, those. Sometimes, even if the sentence is written the, then in Russian it sounds like “this, that, those”.
The day was very interesting and full of emotions. — The day was very interesting and full of emotions.
My day was very interesting and full of emotions. — My day was very interesting and full of emotions.
When is the article the used?
Almost any noun in English must be followed. The use of the article the has a number of cases that need to be remembered.
1. If the subject one of a kind (the earth, the sky, the sun , the Taj Mahal) and there are no more analogues, then we put the. The same is true with the subject the only one in the environment . For example, sitting in a room, you ask to close the door, the one that is there.
Look at the moon! It is shining brightly. - Look at the moon. She shines bright.
Close the door, please. - Close the door, please.
2. With nouns, in the function of circumstance (where something is located: in a garden, in a city, meaning a specific garden or city), the definite article is also used. By using the article the, you specify.
It was very dark in the room. — The room was very dark.
They are working in the field. — They work in the garden.
3. With nouns, denoting a certain amount, in a certain place.
The snow is dirty. - The snow is dirty (just in some place, because in general it is clean, white)
Give me the water, please. - Give me some water, please. (Not all water, but a certain amount, for example, to drink)
4. If the offer contains "Appendix", giving additional information about the person, and if the popularity of this character is emphasized, then we put the.
Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed. Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed.
5. After the words one of, some of, many of, each of, most of, both, all.
All the newspapers were sold out. All newspapers were sold out.
Show me one of the dresses. Show me one of the dresses.
Each of the women have children. Every woman has children.
6. Before superlative adjectives, before words the same, the following, the next (meaning next in order), the last (last) , before ordinal numbers.
It is the most interesting article I have ever read. — This is the most interesting article I have ever read.
The last week was very tiring. “The last week has been very exhausting.
She took the next ticket. She took the next ticket.
7. Before substantiated adjectives, participles, before the word people in the meaning of the people.
The rich have a happy life. The rich have a happy life.
The Soviet people won the war. The Soviet people won the war.
8. Before words denoting social classes of people.
The workers have a small salary. The workers have low wages.
9. Usually, the article is not used before proper names. But there are exceptions that we will consider. For example, before names denoting the whole family as a whole.
The Makarny have a big house. — The Macarnis (the Macarnis) have a big house.
10. Before titles some countries, where the words republic, kingdom, states, union, federation are present, before the names that are in plural: the Netherlands, The Philippines, the Baltic States.
The Czech Republic is situated in the center of Europe. — The Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe.
She has just come from the United States of America. She has just arrived from the United States of America.
11. Before titles rivers, seas, oceans, straits, canals, currents, lakes (if the composition does not contain the word lake).
The Pacific Ocean is the greatest ocean in the world. — The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.
The Baikal is in Siberia. — Baikal in Siberia. (But: Lake Baikal)
12. Before titles deserts, mountain ranges, island groups (in the only - without).
We are going to climb the Alps. We are going to climb the Alps.
When I was traveling around the world I was in the Sahara. — when I traveled the world, I was in the Sahara.
13. Before the names of the four cardinal points: the south, the north, the east, the west, poles, regions, ships.
He has lived in the west since 1967. - He has lived in the west since 1967.
My parents went on board the Star. My parents came on the steamer Star.
14. Before titles museums, cinemas, clubs, galleries, restaurants, monuments, names of English (American) newspapers (with the exception of "Today"), hotels.
I try to read the Morning Star every day. I try to read Morning Star every day.
I would like to put up in the National. — I would like to stay at the National Hotel.
Of course, remembering right away when the article the is put is quite difficult. It's all a matter of practice. But remember one truth: before common nouns, if something specific is indicated, you understand what subject is being discussed, then feel free to put the. And the use of proper names still have to learn.
That is, the absence of the article. Consider when the article the is used, which, by the way, according to linguists, is the most common word in the English language, although, of course, it is difficult to call it a word.
How to use the definite article THE - the basic rule
Most of the rules for using the definite article the are as follows: the is placed before a noun denoting something specific. The article the itself comes from the word that (this, that) - knowing this, it is easier to understand how it is used.
This is the place that we were talking about. - This is the place we were talking about.
You have the file what I need. – Do you have the document that I need.
The article here defines not, of course, but the noun defined by this adjective. The article the is needed because the superlative degree of a sign or person distinguishes it as unique:
This is the most delicious ice cream in the world. - This is the most delicious ice cream in the world.
He is the smartest student in the university. He is the smartest student at the university.
5. Before a number of adjectives implying the uniqueness of the subject.
These are words like the same(same), only(the only one), left\right(left \ right). Like superlative adjectives, they indicate the specificity of what is being said.
This is the only way out. - This is the only way out.
turn the left valve, please. – Turn the right valve, please.
My sister had the same problem. My sister had the same problem.
6. Before ordinal numbers.
Ordinal - denoting a number, not a quantity. If an item is "first" or "twentieth", this implies its relative uniqueness (in the context of the conversation). This also applies to words like the last(last), the previous(previous), which are similar in meaning to ordinal numbers.
Who was the first human in the space? Who was the first man in space?
I am reading the third chapter now. I am currently reading the third chapter.
Let's invite the previous candidate again. Let's invite the previous candidate again.
This is the last warning. “This is the last warning.
7. Before the names of people, when it comes to the family as a whole.
The surname is used in the plural, as in Russian.
I don't know the Allens, but they seem to be nice people. “I don't know the Allens, but they seem like nice people.
The Petrovs moved out on Monday. The Petrovs moved out on Monday.
8. Before wordspast, present, future, winter, spring, summer, autumn (fall).
These words are worth highlighting separately, because many expressions of time use an indefinite or zero article, for example: a week ago(a week ago) on Monday- on Monday. Speaking of the past, future, present, we use the:
That is my plan for the future. Here is my plan for the future.
Whatever happened in the past, stays in the past. Whatever happened in the past, it will remain in the past.
When we talk about the seasons, we use the when we mean, say, the fall of a certain year. Speaking about the season in general, we use the zero or definite article:
- I moved to London autumn of 2010. – I moved to London in autumn 2010.
- Poets love (the) autumn. Poets love autumn.
Note: words autumn And fall mean "autumn" autumn is the British version fall- American.
9. Before some place names
- a rather confusing topic, I will highlight the main cases:
- The article the is not needed before single-word country names (Russia, Spain), but is needed before names that include words like federation, kingdom, states: the Russian Federation, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Stated of America.
- The is also placed before place names used in the plural: the Netherlands(Netherlands), the Virgin Islands(Virgin Islands), the Urals(Ural Mountains).
The article THE before adjectives and pronouns
Any article, both the and a\an, can be used before an adjective. The article at the same time determines the noun, the attribute of which denotes this adjective:
This is the new guy I told you about. “This is the new guy I told you about.
have a nice day. - Have a nice day.
Neither the article the nor a\an is used before a possessive (my, his, your, etc.) or demonstrative (this, these, that, those) pronoun that defines a noun - it already speaks of belonging in itself, and therefore the specificity of the subject.
- Not right: Where is my car?
- Right: Where is my car?
In this article, we will touch on the topic "Articles"- one of the most "unloved" topics of our students.
Many admit that, although they have gone through this topic many times, they continue to put articles at random and cannot systematize knowledge in any way. The article THE is of particular difficulty. Perhaps you have the same problem.
In preparing this article, we asked our students and subscribers to formulate questions related to the use of the article THE, to which they find it difficult to answer on their own. I would like to note that the questions were very similar, so we summarized them. And here are the questions of interest to students:
- Which article to choose: A or THE?
- How to determine if the article THE is needed with plural nouns and with uncountable nouns?
If you are also not completely sure of the depth of your knowledge about the use of the definite article THE and previous experience of studying "by the textbook" was useless, then given material will help you systematize the knowledge you already have and, perhaps, learn something new.
Which article to choose A or THE?
Let's remember a little from the theory. A(an)- this, it points to an indefinite object, and emphasizes that the object is one. THE- definite article (definite article), it is used when referring to something already known to the speaker.
Consider an example:
My father bought me a dog.
- Great! What color is the dog?
- The dog is black. And my mother bought me a book.
The first sentence uses article A, since the dog is mentioned for the first time and the interlocutor still does not know anything about it. Subsequently, it is used the article THE, since it became clear to both speakers which dog they were talking about. In the last sentence, the word book also used with the indefinite article, since it is mentioned for the first time, the interlocutor has not yet determined what kind of book it is.
A few more examples:
Yesterday I got a letter. The letter was from my friend. - I received a letter yesterday. The letter was from my friend.
I am reading a newspaper. I bought the newspaper from the news agent. - I am reading a newspaper. I bought a newspaper from a periodicals dealer.
Remember the rule: If you have a countable noun in the singular, then use Aif this item is mentioned for the first time or it is indefinite, inessential. THE is used if the subject has already been mentioned before and is known to the interlocutors.
Sometimes, despite the fact that something is mentioned for the first time, we can understand from the context what it is about: when additional information about the subject is given, an explanation, or when it is clear from the situation itself. Consider examples with explanations:
I was at a party yesterday. - I was at the party yesterday.
(Meaning some kind of party that we don't know anything about yet)
I was at theparty organized by my friend. - I was at a party organized by my friend.
(We understand what kind of party we are talking about)
He saw a woman in the corridor. - He saw (some) woman in the corridor.
(No further information is given about the woman)
He saw the woman who lived next door to him. - He saw a woman who lived next door.
(We understand what kind of woman this is)
He entered a door. - He entered the door.
(He entered one of the doors, we do not know which one).
He entered the door nearest to the stairs. He entered the door closest to the stairs.
(Specify which door)
When is the article THE always used?
Remember a number of cases in which the article THE is always used:
- when something is mentioned that exists in one instance, something unique in its kind: the sun, the moon, the world, the earth, the capital, the ground, the environment, the universe
- with the names of groups of people expressed by adjectives: the elderly, the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the unemployed, the disabled and others
- with titles that end in -ese And -sh (-ch): the British, the Scottish, the Spanish, the Chinese, the Japanese. With other nationalities, the article THE may not be used: (the) Russians, (the) Americans
- in combinations related to space: the end, the beginning, the middle, the center
- in combinations related to time: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening; the next, the last, the present, the future, the past
- with titles and positions: the King, the president, the Prime Minister, the Queen
- with and adverbs in the superlative degree: the best, the worst, the fastest, the most interesting, the most beautiful
- from , including dates: the first (of May), the third (of November), the twentieth, the thirty-first
- in combinations like: THE something OF: the legs of the table, the topic of our lesson
- with the names of musical instruments: the guitar, the piano, the cello
- with the word the same: same
- in many stable phrases and idiomatic expressions.
When is THE used with place nouns?
Nouns denoting various places (not to be confused with place names!), can be used with or without the article THE. The use of the article directly depends on the context in which the noun is mentioned.
Consider an example. If someone is sick, then he is in the hospital:
He is at hospital.
When we say this, we do not mean a specific hospital, but we are talking about the hospital in general, as an institution where patients are treated.
If a friend of our patient decided to visit him and came to the hospital, then you need to say about him:
He is at the hospital.
He is not sick and should not be in the hospital (in the general sense of the word), he came to a certain hospital (in the one in which his friend lies), and therefore the article THE appears.
One more example:
My little sister goes to school. Today it is a school concert so all our family will go to the school.
Children go to school in general to learn, so when talking about students, the article is not used. Other family members are not students. They will go to a certain school where their child is studying to watch a concert, respectively, before the word school put the article.
The same miracles happen with the words prison, church, university.
Remember the rule: if you mean a place all in all(its intended purpose is emphasized), the article THE not used. When it means specific institution or building, article THE used.
As for other nouns denoting places, THE is most often used with them: the beach, the station, the coast, the seaside, the city, the countryside.
With the words cinema and theater, the article THE is used even when the speaker does not mean a specific place:
We go to the cinema every weekend.
They have never been to the theatre.
Why is the article used with these words? The explanation is that when we use them, it is clear from the context what we mean, and the interlocutor understands what is being said. Consider examples of situations where it is clear from the situation itself what place we are talking about:
1. When, being in a room or apartment, we talk about its parts:
Switch on the light! - Turn on the lights! (In this room, in the room where you are)
I closed the door and opened the window. - I closed the door and opened the window. (In the room where I was at that moment, in my room)
The floor was clean. - The floor was clean. (The floor in the room I was in.)
2. When we talk about the buildings of the city, if it is clear which city we are talking about:
Where is the railway station? - Where is the railway station? (The station of this city. If there are several stations in the city, you will have to specify which one you need. If you are close to the station, then the interlocutor will understand that you are asking about the nearest station)
The city hall is very old. - The City Hall building is very old. (There is one mayor's office in the city, respectively, your interlocutor will understand what is at stake)
The market was crowded in the morning. - The market was crowded in the morning. (The market of this city; the nearest market; the market that the speaker goes to)
3. When referring to organizations providing services, if it is clear from the context what exactly the speaker means:
I need to go to the bank tomorrow. - I have to go to the bank tomorrow. (Bank where I have an account; nearest bank; bank I use)
Tom went to the post office to send a letter. Tom went to the post office to send a letter. (Meaning the nearest post office; the only one in this city)
You should go to the doctor. - You should go to the doctor. (To your doctor)
She is seeing the dentist on Friday. She is going to see the dentist on Friday. (To your dentist).
Be careful, in some situations, of course, the article A can be used. Most often, when the speaker means: "any", "one of many", "it doesn't matter which", "any":
How to determine if the article THE is needed with uncountable nouns and nouns in the plural?
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