The English language is full of mysteries and amazing things. But more often for a Russian-speaking user they are rather “troubles”. Today we will try to deal with one of the simplest "problems" in English– the definite article the. It is worth mentioning that in addition to the definite article there is also an indefinite article. We will talk about it in the next article.
So, why do they need it? Definite article (the) accompanies those nouns that the listener should already know from context, situation, or general knowledge. He also often points out unique, one-of-a-kind items.
Let us describe cases of its use with examples:
- If we are talking about the only thing in the world: The sun is in the sky - The sun is in the sky.
- If the subject has already been mentioned in conversation: "I ’ ve got a very interesting book," says Mike. "Please show me the book," says Nick.- " I have an interesting book" - Mike says. "Show me this book, please" - Nick says.
- When talking about an object (or person) that is the only one in a specific situation: The teacher is in the classroom - Teacher in class (there is only one teacher in this class).
- If we talk about a certain (according to the context) amount of a substance: Is the milk on the table? - Is there milk on the table? (i.e. exactly milk (in a certain package/in a certain volume).
- With a noun preceded by a superlative adjective: He is the best student in our group - He is the best student in our group.
- With a noun preceded by an ordinal number: We are on the fourth floor - We're on the fifth floor.
- Before the names of seas, mountain ranges, islands, rivers, deserts, ships, hotels, cinemas, theaters; before words country(outside the city) , sea(sea) , seaside (by the sea) , mountains (mountains) and when generalizing: Did you go to the Black Sea or to the Volga? - Have you traveled to the Black Sea or the Volga?
- Before a singular noun denoting a whole class of objects, people (i.e. when generalizing): The whale is a mammal, not a fish - Whale- It's a mammal, not a fish.
- After the words one of(one (of)) , some of(some (of)), many of (many (of)), each of (each (of)), most of (most (of)), often after words all (All) , both of (both): Give me one of the books - Give me one of (these) books.
- Before the names of the four cardinal directions: the Northern part of our country - north of our country.
- Before the surname in plural(when designating all family members): - The Petrovs are at home - Petrov's houses.
We have listed the main cases of using the definite article. But it's not that simple. There is also an indefinite article, we will talk about it in detail in the next article. Good luck in learning English! And to make sure you are happy with the result, contact TutorOnline tutors =)
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Articles in English a/an And the indicate the degree of certainty of a subject in a given context or in general. In Russian, they, as function words, are absent and are not translated from English, but sometimes they can “occur” in phrases like: “I know a girl. This girl studies at our school." Or: “One boy loved to read. This boy once found a very interesting book..."
Therefore, on an intuitive level, sometimes we also use the words “one / one / one / alone” when we first mention an object, and “this / this / this / these” when we use it again in speech. This can be found especially often in fairy tales: “Once upon a time there was an old man...”
Use of articles in English
Correct use of articles in English often causes difficulty. There are, of course, rules for using certain articles - a/ an, the, zero article, but since native speakers trust, first of all, their intuition and logic, then by putting ourselves in their place and trying to think like them, we could make the task much easier.
What is this certainty/uncertainty?
I have bought a dog. - I bought a dog. In this context, you are talking about a dog for the first time; this means “some dog, one of many.” It is not yet clear to the listener which specific dog we are talking about, so in this example we use the indefinite article -a.
The dog is very cute. - The dog is very cute. Now you are already talking about “a specific dog - the one that you bought. The listener already understands that we're talking about specifically about your dog, so there is already a definite article -the. In other words, as in the “bearded” joke about English for “new Russians”: the article -a means “type”, and -the - “specifically”, i.e. one of many or a specific example.
Table of articles in English
It will help to systematize all of the above. table of articles in English.
The
| The subject is mentioned again in this context: | I have an interesting idea. I have an interesting idea. Wow, tell me about the idea, please! Wow, tell me about this idea please.) |
| The only object or person in a given setting: | The actress is on the scene. The actress is on stage. (on a specific stage) |
| The noun is preceded by an ordinal number: | He is on the second floor. He's on the second floor. |
| The noun is preceded by a superlative adjective: | She is the most beautiful girl, I`ve ever seen. (She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. |
| A noun denotes a substance in a certain quantity or a certain place, in a given setting: | Pass me the salt, please. Pass me the salt, please. Where is the water? Where is the water? |
| Unique noun:> | the sun the moon the sky, the universe, the earth |
| With the names of countries, including words such as republic, union, kingdom, states, emirates, as well as with the names of countries in the plural: | the German Federal Republic the United Arab Emirates the Philippines |
| Before the names of oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges, island groups, deserts: | the Atlantic, the Pacific Ocean, the Nile, the Bahamas, the Alps |
| With cardinal directions | The South, the North |
| A noun denotes a whole class of objects: | The giraffe is the tallest animals. The giraffe is the tallest animal. |
| After the words one/some/many/most/both/all of | Some of the mistakes are very bad. Some of the mistakes are very serious. |
| Before the family surname in the plural: | The Smiths have moved to another town. The Smiths moved to another city. |
A/An
| When the item is mentioned for the first time: | A man is waiting for you. A man is waiting for you. (some kind) |
| If we are talking about an indefinite quantity: | I can bring a coffee to your friend. I can bring coffee for your friend. |
| With names of professions: | He is an engineer He's an engineer. |
| In the nominal part compound predicate: | She is a smart girl |
| If an object belongs to a class of homogeneous objects: | There is a bee in the cup. There is a bee in the cup. (not an ant). |
| IN stable combinations like: what a.. a little a few a lot of as a rule as a result for a while to be in a to have a to see a there is a |
What a lovely day! I'd like to say a few words. I have a little free time. I have a lot of friends. |
| Before the words such, quite, rather, most (meaning “very”): | He is quite a young man He is quite a young man. |
| If you can replace the article with the word “one”. : | There is a flower in the garden. There is a flower in the garden. There is one flower in the garden. |
Zero article:
| Before nouns with modifiers (pronouns, numerals, proper names in the possessive case.): | My mother works here. My mom works here. Tom's bag. Tom's bag. |
| When generalizing in the plural. before countable nouns: | Apples are my favorite fruits. Apples are my favorite fruit. |
| Before nouns as a modifier: | guitar lessons – guitar lessons |
| Before the names of countries, continents, cities, streets: | Germany, Poland, London, Hyde Park, High Street |
| Before abstract (uncountable) nouns: | This is important information. This is important information. |
| Before people's names and surnames: | His name is Lee. |
| In adverbial combinations: | for breakfast, at lunch, to dinner, at night, by bus, on sale, in fact, from time to time, from school, to work, at work, from work… |
If you still have questions on the topic of articles in English, Double You Studio, an English language school in Kyiv (suburb, Vishnevoe, Sofievskaya Borshchagovka, Boyarka, Petrovskoe), will help you figure it out.
There are two articles in English: the definite the and the indefinite a. You can also distinguish one more type of article: the so-called “zero” (Zero Article), i.e. absence of article. An article is a service word, a sign of a noun. By itself, it has no meaning, and the emphasis never falls on it.
The indefinite article The Indefinite Article а (аn)
Derived from the numeral one.
Used only with countable nouns in the singular.
An object is called in a general sense, not a specific one (one of, some, some): a house - a house, a book - a book, a tree - a tree, a dog - a dog, a man - a man, a man, a ship - ship, vessel, a bag - bag, package, a pencil - pencil, a bird - bird, a lake - lake.
Note: if the word (this can be an adjective, not necessarily a noun) following the indefinite article begins with a vowel sound, then it is added to the article: an apple - an apple, an airport - an airport, an octopus - an octopus, an orange - orange, an onion - onion, an ice-cream - ice cream, an interesting book - an interesting book, an easy test - an easy test, etc.
Use of the indefinite article
The indefinite article is used in the following cases:
1. The object stands out as a representative of the class: It’s a tree. - This is a tree, (not a train - not a train, not a baby - not a child)
2. Names of professions, occupations (in units):
a doctor is a doctor, a doctor, an engineer is an engineer, a policeman is a policeman, a driver is a driver, a seaman is a sailor, an accountant is an accountant, a student is a student, a painter is an artist, a builder is a builder.
3. This means any, every representative of a given class of objects or persons:
A child can do it. - A child can do this. (Any, any child);
A square has four sides. - A square (any square) has 4 sides.
4. We report about an object or person for the first time (some, one, some):
I saw a boy near their house. - I saw a boy near their house;
A man called you while you were absent - While you were away, a man called.
5. In some cases, the article has the meaning “one” and (n) = 1
I'll be back an hour. - I'll be back in an hour.
Didn't say a word. - He didn’t say a word (not a single word).
6. In emotional terms: What the...! Which…! What(a)..
Nouns are uncountable or plural. are not used with the indefinite article.
What a beautiful ring! - What a beautiful ring!
What a day! - What a day! (admiration and indignation)
What a pretty little boy! - What a lovely baby!
But: What fine weather! (uncountable noun) - What beautiful weather!
What luck! - What luck!
What bad luck! - What bad luck! (uncountable noun)
But: What a piti! - What a pity! What a shame!
What cold water! (uncountable noun) - What cold water!
What beautiful clouds! (plural) - What beautiful clouds!
such a... - such quite a... - quite (singular)
She’s such a clever woman! - She is such a smart woman!
She’s quite a young girl - She’s quite young!
Ho: These are such interesting films! (plural) - These are such interesting films!
Have you ever seen such weather?! (uncountable noun) Have you ever seen weather like this?!
The Definite Article the
Derived from the demonstrative pronoun that.
Used with countable nouns in the singular. n plural and with uncountable nouns.
Indicates a specific object/person, distinguishing it from all objects or persons of this class.
The definite article is used in the following cases:
1. The object/person is known to the interlocutor, mentioned earlier: When I entered the room I saw a man standing at the window. The man was very tall. - When I entered the room, I saw a man standing at the window. The man was very tall.
2. A specific statement that is clear from the context.
Please close the window. - Close the window, please (meaning exactly the window that is in at the moment open. Or there is only one window in the room, there are no other windows there).
Where is the key? - Where is the key?
The interlocutors know which key we are talking about.
Give me the suitcase, please. -Give me the suitcase, please. If it means “yours, yours,” then instead of the definite article it is better to use the corresponding one in meaning possessive pronoun: Don’t put the keys into your pocket. - Don't put your keys in (your) pocket.
3. An object/person, one of a kind or in a given setting, situation:
the sun - the sun,
the Moon - the moon,
the Earth - Earth,
the sky - the sky,
the Hermitage - Hermitage,
the Kremlin - the Kremlin,
the South Pole - South Pole,
the beginning - the beginning,
the end - the end,
the top - top, upper part,
the bottom - lower part, bottom, bottom,
the President of Russia - President of Russia,
the King of France - the king of France.
Ho: President Bush (the word President combined with the first and last name),
Queen Elizabeth - Queen Elizabeth
4. Nations, belonging to a country (in a collective sense): the Americans - Americans, the Japanese - Japanese, the Russians - Russians, the French - French, the Greeks - Greeks, the Swedes - Swedes, the Poles - Poles, the Dutch - Dutch, the Danes - Danes.
5. We are talking about all objects or persons of this class:
Give a list of the students (all the students). - Give me a list of students (all).
6. With a general meaning: a whole class, breed (singular): The poplar doesn’t grow here. - Poplar doesn't grow here.
7. Before adjectives and participles that have become plural nouns: The poor in this town live in awful conditions. - The poor in this city live in terrible conditions;
The wounded were taken to the hospital at once. - The wounded were immediately taken to the hospital.
8. After the pronouns all and both (if there is no possessive or demonstrative pronoun): all the students - all students, both the letters - both letters.
9. The names of the cardinal directions are always used with the definite article: (where?)
in the north - in the north,
in the south - in the south,
in the west - in the west,
in the east - in the east,
in the Far East - in the Far East,
in the south-east - in the southeast;
(where?) to the north - to the north; to the south - to the south.
10. If the noun has a definition (clarification):
Here’s the man who called you yesterday. - This is the person who called you yesterday.
11. With words (definitions):
same - the same,
next, following - next,
last - last, last,
very - the same one
only - the only one:
the same story - the same story (history),
the following week - next week,
the next day (year, month) - the next day, year, month.
But: Next Sunday we are going to the theater. - Next Sunday we are going to the theater (when?).
the following task - the next task,
in the last carriage - in the last carriage,
on the last page - on the last page.
This exercise is on the last page. - This exercise is on the last page.
But: Not graduated from the University last year. - He graduated from university last year, (when?)
You are the very person I need. - You are the very person I need;
Was not the only child in the family. - He was the only child in the family.
!! The words last and next, as well as the word this to indicate time (when?) used without an article(and without a preposition, not like in Russian):
last week - last week,
next week - next week,
last Sunday - last Sunday,
next Friday - next Friday,
last year - last year,
next year - next year,
last month - last month,
next month - next month,
last time - last time,
next summer - next summer,
this Tuesday - on this Tuesday,
this week - this week,
this year - this year,
this time - this time.
12. The definite article is used before adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison or ordinal numbers: Not is the best student in our group. - He is the best student in our group;
The highest mountains are in Asia. - The most high mountains located in Asia;
Their office is on the second floor. - Their office is on the second floor.
Zero article (no article) Zero Article
Let's look at cases where there is no article.
1. If before the noun there is a possessive or demonstrative pronoun, another noun in the possessive case, a cardinal number or the negation no (not to be confused with the negative particle not!), or the pronouns some, any, every:
We didn't like that car. - We didn't like that car;
Do you happen to know her brother’s friend? - Do you happen to know her brother's friend?
I’d like to buy one bottle of wine and two or three lemons. - I would like to buy a bottle of wine and 2-3 lemons;
Didn't have money to give them a call - He didn't have money to call them;
I don't care what some people say. - I don't care what some people say.
2. Before applying: What are you drawing, children? - What are you drawing, children?
Morning, Captain. -Good morning, captain.
3. Material nouns are used without an article when talking about a substance or material in the general sense: Water is necessary for people. - People need water; Milk is very useful for children. - Milk is very useful for children.
4. Abstract nouns in the general sense, as well as names of sciences and subjects studied (if they do not have definitions):
Compare: I like music. - I love music. (Not any specific one, but in general.)
I like the music.- I like the music (that is playing at the moment or that we are talking about).
5. Position, title as a title and in combination with first name/surname: Professor Petrov-Professor Petrov, Dr. Brown - Doctor Brown, Colonel Jones - Colonel Jones, Captain Smith - Captain Smith.
But if the position or title is used as a subject or object, then the definite article is used: The dean of our faculty. -Dean of our faculty (subject).
6. Anyone, any representative of the class (plural): Boys like to play football. - Boys love to play football; Lions as well as tigers are dangerous animals. - Lions, like tigers, are dangerous animals.
7. The article is absent in a number of combinations, which include:
at night
at dinner (breakfast, supper)
at home
at school at school (in class)
at work at work
at sunset
at first sight
at peace in the world
at table at the table (i.e. at lunch, breakfast, dinner)
at war
by tram (train, boat, bus, etc.) by tram (train, boat, bus, etc.)
by air
by water by water
by sea
by land by land
by day
by post (air mail)
by heart by heart
by chance
by mistake
by name
in time on time
in debt
in demand
in sight in the field of view
in fact
in conclusion
on board a ship
on deck
on demand on demand
on credit
on sale
day after day day after day
day and night
to be in town (meaning: not away, not out of town)
to be in bed
to go to bed
to go to school
to go to town (meaning: to go to the nearest town from the surrounding area)
from morning to (till) night
from day to day
from shop to shop
from time to time from time to time
from head to foot
The article is also not used in many combinations before a noun that is an addition to a verb and expresses a single concept with it:
to have dinner (breakfast, lunch, supper)
to take part;
to take place happen;
to take care;
to shake hands;
to drop (cast) anchor;
to lose sight;
to declare war;
to pass judgment, make a court decision, etc.
Using articles with proper names
1. First names and surnames separately and in combination with position, title are used without an article: John Smith, Paul Brown, Professor Petrov, Colonel Perry, Dr. Davidson, Earl Gray (Earl Gray), Mr. White, Mrs. Adams, Ms. Marple, etc.
2. Surnames in the plural are used with the definite article. in a collective sense, i.e. when the family is meant as a single whole: the Petrovs, the Orlovs, the Belovs, the Brown family, the Adams family: the Petrovs, the Orlovs, the Belovs, the Browns, the Adams.
3. Family members - no article: father, mother, grandpa, sister, Uncle Paul, Aunt Emily.
4. The names of hotels are used with the definite article if the word Hotel is not present: the “Metropol”, the “Savoy”,
Ho: Nadezhda Hotel
5. With deserts and plains it’s the other way around: if after the name there is the word Desert - desert, then the definite article is placed before the name: the Sahara Desert.
But: Sahara.
6. The names of streets, squares, and parks are used without an article:
They are not far from Red Square. - They are located near Red Square.
We live on (in) Green Street. - We live on Green Street.
Broadway is the most famous and the longest street in New York. - Broadway is the most famous and longest street in New York.
They agreed to meet near Hyde Park. - They agreed to meet near Hyde Park.
Exceptions: the Bowery - Bowery street (in New York), the Srand - Strand street (in London).
7. The names of English and American newspapers and magazines are used with the definite article: “The Daily Telegraph”, “The Daily Mirror”, “The Times”.
8. The names of ships are also used with the definite article: The “Northern Star”, The “Titanic”.
9. The names of cities are used without an article: the city of Moscow - Moscow / or the city of Moscow.
Exception: the Hague - the city of The Hague (in Holland).
10. Country names are mostly used without an article: Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Russia, Great Britain.
But The names of the following countries are used with the definite article: the Netherlands - the Netherlands (But: Holland - Holland), the Ukraine - Ukraine, the Congo - Congo, the Sudan - Sudan, and regions such as Crimea. - the Crimea, Caucasus - the Caucasus and Transvaal - the Transvaal (province in South Africa).
And also countries whose names contain the words united, united, union, commonwealth, federation:
The United States of America = the USA = the US - United States of America;
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - the UK - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
The Russian Federation - Russian Federation(But: Russia - Russia).
11. Mountains. The names of individual mountain peaks “do not like” the article and are never placed next to it: Everest, Mt. Mont Blanc - Mount Mont Blanc, Mt Mc.Kinley, Elbrus.
Note: Mt=mount from the word mountain - mountain.
And the names of mountain ranges and mountain ranges are used with the definite article: the Alps - the Alps, the Alpine Mountains, the Urals, the Caucasus.
12. Same thing with the islands. The names of individual islands are used without an article: Cuba - Cuba Island, Java - Java Island, Cyprus - island of Cyprus, and the names of the archipelagos - with the definite article: the British Isles - the British Isles (Great Britain is located on these islands), the Philippines - the Philippine Islands, the Philippines.
13. The names of the continents are used without the article: Europe - Europe, Asia - Asia, Africa - Africa, Australia - Australia, North America - North America, South America - South America, Arctic (Arctic Region) - Arctic.
Exception: the Antarctic - Antarctica.
14. All “geographic water” (oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, canals, bays, straits, waterfalls, depressions, currents) is used with the definite article:
the Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls,
the Bering Strait - Bering Strait,
the Persian Gulf,
the Baltic (Sea) - Baltic Sea,
the Pacific (Ocean) - Pacific Ocean,
the Black Sea - Black Sea,
the Atlantic (Ocean) - Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic,
the Arctic (Ocean) - Arctic Ocean,
the Volga - Volga River,
the Thames - River Thames,
the Hudson - Hudson,
the Baikal - Lake Baikal.
The names of rivers and lakes can be preceded by either a definite article or the word river or lake, but not all together: The Neva, the Neva River, River Neva;
The Baikal, the Baikal Lake, Lake Baikal
27.11.2014
An article is a word that defines a noun.
There are two types of articles in English: the definite (the) and the indefinite (a/an).
Based on the names, the indefinite article is used when we are talking about a phenomenon that we encounter for the first time, an object in general, and the definite article is used when we are talking about something specific, or something that has already been 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.
Therefore, do not panic if in your native language articles are not used.
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 speaking or writing.
1. With the names of countries and continents
In this case we do not use articles at all, BUT if the name of the country consists of parts, such as, USA, UK, UAE, then our article appears the, and it 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 a composite name, the definite article takes place.
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 talking about eating in general, there is no article. But if you're talking about a specific breakfast, dinner or lunch, use the.
For example:
- I don't eat breakfast.
- We didn't like the dinner.
3. With names of work, profession
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 written with a capital letter, 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 names of unique phenomena
This means that a phenomenon or object exists in one copy, one of a kind, in particular, the sun, the moon, the inter net , the sky , the earth.
For example:
- 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 identifying mark in most cases, they have no 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 some uncountable concept, there will be no article, but again, if the case is particular, use the.
For example:
- I like bread/milk/honey.
- I like the bread/the milk/the honey. (Specifically this and nothing else.)
8. With last names
If we are talking about members of the same family, you can put the article the before the surname. This way you denote a group of people, a family, in one word.
For example:
- The Smith are coming for dinner today.
- Have you seen the Johnson recently?
These are not all the uses of articles in English. However, first remember these rules, gradually deepening your knowledge
27.11.2014
An article is a word that defines a noun.
There are two types of articles in English: the definite (the) and the indefinite (a/an).
Based on the names, the indefinite article is used when we are talking about a phenomenon that we encounter for the first time, an object in general, and the definite article is used when we are talking about something specific, or something that has already been 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.
Therefore, do not panic if articles are not used in your native language.
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 speaking or writing.
1. With the names of countries and continents
In this case we do not use articles at all, BUT if the name of the country consists of parts, such as, USA, UK, UAE, then our article appears the, and it 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 a composite name, the definite article takes place.
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 talking about eating in general, there is no article. But if you're talking about a specific breakfast, dinner or lunch, use the.
For example:
- I don't eat breakfast.
- We didn't like the dinner.
3. With names of work, profession
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 written with a capital letter, 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 names of unique phenomena
This means that a phenomenon or object exists in one copy, one of a kind, in particular, the sun, the moon, the inter net , the sky , the earth.
For example:
- 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 identifying mark in most cases, they have no 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 some uncountable concept, there will be no article, but again, if the case is particular, use the.
For example:
- I like bread/milk/honey.
- I like the bread/the milk/the honey. (Specifically this and nothing else.)
8. With last names
If we are talking about members of the same family, you can put the article the before the surname. This way you denote a group of people, a family, in one word.
For example:
- The Smith are coming for dinner today.
- Have you seen the Johnson recently?
These are not all the uses of articles in English. However, first remember these rules, gradually deepening your knowledge
