Articles: “the” in English Grammar | Part 2

English Grammar Lesson

Series on Articles in English Grammar.

Part 1: Articles | “a” “an” in English Grammar
⇒ Part 2: Articles: “the” in English Grammar
Part 3: When to use NO article in English Grammar
Part 4: Using NO article in English | Speaking Generally

Introduction

The articles “a”, “an” and “the” can be difficult words for the English student, especially if articles don’t appear in the first language. If you review these basic rules and practice, you can improve your use of articles.

Let’s start with a sentence.

“The teacher assigned a book to read.”

There are two articles in this sentence, “the” and “a”.

Why did I say “the teacher” instead of “a teacher”? What’s the difference in meaning?

Here, I said “the teacher” because I’m talking about:

1. a specific teacher
2. someone you (the listener) and I (the speaker) both know about.

Rule: The article “the”

Use the article “the”:

• with a specific noun; and

• when the speaker and listener have already discussed this noun (or they have shared knowledge).

Let’s practice sentences with the definite article.

Notice how I stress and de-stress certain words, and how I connect my speech.

Listen and Repeat

“I bought the bike today!”

〉 Speaker and listener previously discussed the bike (they have shared knowledge about it).

“I took the workshop on web design.”

〉 The speaker refers to a specific workshop, and perhaps the speaker and listener previously discussed the workshop (they have shared knowledge).

“A good idea is all I need to start the new business.”

〉 Speaker and listener have previously discussed the idea of a new business and this specific business (it is shared knowledge between the two).

〉 If I had never discussed the new business, she would say, “A good idea is all I need to start a new business”.

→ Part 3: When to use NO article in English Grammar

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