How to Use The - Articles in English Grammar

Summary

This lesson from Oxford Online English focuses on the use of the article 'the' in English. It explains its basic function as a determiner pointing to specific, known, or unique things. The video outlines practical tips for using 'the' correctly, including when referring to shared experiences, unique items, or things around you. It also covers common mistakes such as using 'the' with general nouns or most names. With six easy-to-remember rules and a simple test for determining when to use 'the,' this lesson helps learners improve their English writing and speaking skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 The article 'the' is used to refer to specific or unique things that the speaker and listener both know about.
• 😀 If a noun is singular and countable, it needs some kind of determiner like 'the', 'a', or 'this'.
• 😀 You can use 'the' when you’re referring to things around you where it's obvious which thing you mean.
• 😀 'The' is used when referring to shared experiences, such as something you've talked about or done together.
• 😀 'The' is used to refer to things that are unique, like 'the Earth' or 'the Taj Mahal'.
• 😀 Don't use 'the' when you're talking about things in general, like 'Greek food' or 'football'.
• 😀 When referring to names of people, cities, countries, or institutions, generally don't use 'the', but there are exceptions.
• 😀 Avoid using 'the' when another determiner like 'this', 'my', 'every', or 'many' is already present in the sentence.
• 😀 The rule to check if a noun needs an article: Is it singular and countable? If yes, it likely needs 'the' or another determiner.
• 😀 If you find the usage of 'the' difficult, applying simple rules like the ones mentioned can help you make fewer mistakes.
• 😀 For more practice and deeper learning, the full lesson and quiz on using 'the' are available on the Oxford Online English website.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the lesson on 'the'?

The main purpose of the lesson is to teach learners when and how to correctly use the article 'the' in English, especially for those whose native language doesn't have an equivalent word.

Why is the article 'the' difficult for some learners?

The article 'the' can be difficult because there are many rules about when to use it, and these rules often have exceptions. For learners whose languages don't have an equivalent article, the concept can be challenging.

What is the basic function of 'the' in a sentence?

'The' is used to refer to something specific and known to both the speaker and the listener. It points to a particular noun, much like the words 'this' or 'that'.

Can you give an example where 'the' is used for shared experience?

An example would be: 'Do you remember the hotel we stayed at in Berlin?' The speaker uses 'the' because both the speaker and the listener shared the experience of staying at the same hotel.

What does it mean to use 'the' with unique objects?

When 'the' is used with unique objects, it indicates that the object is one-of-a-kind, and both the speaker and listener know exactly which one is being referred to. For example, 'the moon' refers to the only moon that both people are aware of.

What is the rule for singular, countable nouns in English?

Singular, countable nouns need a determiner, such as 'the', 'a', or 'this'. If the noun is singular and countable, it cannot stand alone without a determiner.

When should 'the' not be used in general?

You should not use 'the' when talking about things in general, such as general concepts or categories, like in the sentence 'Football is more popular than basketball in most countries.'

What is the rule about using 'the' with names?

In general, 'the' is not used with proper nouns such as people's names, cities, countries, streets, and institutions. However, there are some exceptions, such as 'The United States'.

Can you give an example of a situation where 'the' is used with a determiner?

An example of 'the' being used with a determiner would be: 'The manager told us about the plan for the New Year’s party.' Here, 'the' is used before 'manager', 'plan', and 'party' because these are singular, countable nouns and their specific instances are known to the speaker and listener.

What is a simple test to decide if a noun needs 'the'?

The simple test is: Is the noun singular and countable? If yes, it requires a determiner like 'the'. For example, 'the manager', 'the plan', or 'the party'.