article of need of english grammer in secoundary education
Answers
Answer:
The is used when the listener/reader knows which person or thing we are talking about. This may be because:
We have mentioned this person/thing before and so there is shared knowledge between speaker/writer and listener/reader.
It is clear from the context which person or thing we are talking about.
There is only one of a particular person or thing.
A or an is used when the listener/reader doesn’t know which person or thing we are talking about.
She took a glass of water and started to drink. (one of many glasses of water)
She took the glass of water in front of her. (it is clear which glass)
She took the glass of water and started to drink. (there is only one glass of water)
Can you turn on the TV? (we are talking about the TV in this room)
I need to see a doctor. (not any specific doctor)
I have to see the doctor tomorrow. (it’s clear I am talking about my usual doctor)
How many people have walked on the moon? (there is only one moon)
The best film I’ve ever seen is Top Gun. (there can only be one best film)
The carrots in my garden are almost ready. (carrots in general)
Zero article is used when talking about people or things in general.
Carrots are good to eat. (specific carrots)
English people drink a lot of tea. (English people in general)
The English people in this hotel are very nice. (specific English people)
A or an is used to say what kind of person or thing it is (often with an adjective, or to say it belongs to a particular group).
A cat is an animal and a bus is a vehicle.
You have a nice house.
That’s a very expensive car!
With school, university, prison, hospital, church, bed, work and home we use the when we are talking about a particular one, and zero article when we are talking about the idea of school, university…
The church on our street was built in the 17th Century. (a particular church)
I go to church every Sunday. (the idea of church, not a particular building)
My friend works at the prison outside the city centre.
My husband is in prison.
The work isn’t finished yet.
I was feeling sick yesterday so I didn’t go to work.
The new bed is bigger than the old one.
I put my children to bed a 8pm.
The is used with singular countable nouns to talk about a type of thing.
The computer was invented in the 20th Century. (not a particular computer)
The computer in my office is broken. (a particular one)
The crocodile is very dangerous. (this type of animal)
The crocodile in the river is very big. (a particular one)
She plays the piano. (not a particular piano but this type of instrument)
The piano she is playing is very old. (a particular one)
The + adjective is used to talk about a group of people (including nationalities).
I always give money to the homeless.
The unemployed receive money from the government.
The French produce good wine.