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The definite article practice exercise and study
Learn about the article THE in English. Practice, exercise and study.
Learn how to use the definite article "the" correctly in English. Easily learn about this topic, the rules, examples, and common mistakes and succeed in this part of English grammar.
When we are talking about something we use the article the. Well, there’s only one and it's there for us to see. We can use a / an but that’s a different thing altogether. Usually when iwe can’t identify it.
Both the reader and the speaker know what we refer to and we use the!
I bought a car yesterday. The car was really expensive.
So, the is defined and a or an would be undefined.
When do I have to use the?
|
Particular places, objects, objects that have been mentioned already. |
I bought the red car on Saturday. |
This is the song I told you about. |
|
Used to describe a group of people/type or kind. |
The English can be reserved at times. |
I help with the elderly in my spare time. |
|
It might not have been mentioned but it is likely there is only one. |
Is the bank open today? |
Can you go to the bakers down the road? |
|
Accompanied by only. |
Only the brave. |
The only train back. |
|
Proper nouns and names of familiar places. |
The Empire State Building. |
Have you visited the Alhambra? |
Simple examples
1) Why don't we go to the....
It might be referring to places, or geographical areas that we associate with certain characteristics.
-
Let's visit the Pyrenees next year.
-
We sailed past the Bay of Biscay on our cruise.
-
It as hot as the Sahara desert.
2) Let’s go sightseeing to the……
We might be looking for a particular that is well-known to many.
-
Where can I find the Spanish steps?
-
Is this the way to the Louvre?
-
Do we have time to go to the Sea?
3) Let's do lunch at the….
Used in association with famous restaurants, venues and important buildings.
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We took tea at the Carlton
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I had dinner at the Ritz
-
Shall we stay over at the Midland?
When the reference is unclear we can use the article.
For objects, countable or not. If there is 1 in question, the
definite is used.
Where did you leave the milk?
Or to generalise
Do we have milk?
Are oranges over there?
It may be this object is among others and we are looking at one in particular. Strictly speaking, you might think we say
I see the star in the sky
I see a star in the sky
But you could say it’s a general comment.
I see the stars in the sky
(there isn’t one but the plural allows it).
That will be the cats next door.
If we talk collectively about a family and not identify one. We might also say
The Jones are away next week, we’d better keep a watch on
their house.
Have you met the Girls at no.43?
The can be used general too.
The weather is brighter today.
Sunshine is on the list today.
When not to use the?
There are quite a few instances where the is not used. While this list is not exhaustive. Here are some examples.
| Professions of work | Names of shops and places | Anything is uncountable unless it is talking about a specific one |
|
| She works in Medicine. | I get my shoes from Zara. | Milk is a healthy drink | Go East |
He will go and study Law |
My favourite city is Madrid |
I always eat fruit for breakfast. |
You must head South |
Learn how to use the article the. Exercise 1
Which one should we use?
1. I took a bike ride in ……………..
the countryside
countryside
2. Can we go to ………………
Natural History Museum
the Natural History Museum
3. I took a boat ride past …………..
the Liver building
Liver building
4. Let’s go to ……………..
Caribbean
the Caribbean
Or not?
1. Is that…………..over there?
Big Ben
the Big Ben
2. I’d like to go to ………………..
Pompeii
the Pompeii
3. Is ………….hot at this time of year
Barbados
the Barbados
Exercise 2
True or false?
- Is that the milk over there?
- Where is the Library?
- Is the Post Office nearby?
- What a crowd at Opera!
- The crowd was cheering at Football.
Exercise 3
Exercises 3: The or no the?
Maria’s
Chrysler
Timpsons
Fairground
Bus stop
1. I‘m waiting at …………..bus stop.
2. Mine’s ……………..Chrysler
3. I’m going to …………. to get a key cut.
4. .……………. in town this week.
5. I’m going round to Maria’s
Conclusion
The definite article refers to specific nouns
If there is only one, you will always use the definite article
It never refers to people but can to important places.
An undefined article will always use an / a.
Answers.
the countryside
the Natural History museumthe Liver building
the Caribean
Big Ben
Pomeii
Barbados
True
True
True
False
False
The last two are trick questions, although an article should be used, it is OK to leave it out. Someone would still understand it.
the bus stop
a Chrysler
to Timpsons
the Fairground
to Marias.
Try before you buy. Contact Oxinity to see where you can take the mile, maybe even to the moon and back! You don't know.
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