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Special Uses of the Definite Article the

Classification versus Identification Meaning of Articles

Classification

Use an indefinite article (a/an or ) to classifya noun and show that it represents a type, group,

or a class distinct from some other type, group, or class.

An earthquake (a type of natural disaster) struck at 7:11 AM. A gas (a type of gas) that can be deadly is carbon monoxide.Do not use an article for plural or uncountable nouns

Stars (celestial bodies) shine brightly. We expect complications (additional problematic conditions) while she is sick. Have you ever seen traffic (passage of vehicles) like this?Identification

The definite article (the) canidentify a noun and show that it has been singled out in some way.

Generally, the speaker or writer knows the listener or reader is aware of the noun because it

was previously mentioned or he or she can see it, has heard of it, has experienced it, has read

about it, etc.

The movie (you heard about it) stars Will Ferell. Theearthquake (you know about it) destroyed many buildings. Thegas (you smell it) can be harmful. The medical complications (you experienced them) were unexpected. Thetraffic (we are riding in it) is dangerous.

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Frodesen, J., & Eyring, J. (2000). Grammar dimensions 4 (Platinum ed.). Boston: Heinle & Heinle Publishers Inc,Reproduced wtih permission. www.cengage.com/permissions

Special Uses of the Definite Article (the)

Use the:

with unique nouns

Thesun is very bright.

Theuniverse has more stars than all the grains of sandon the worlds beaches combined.

before superlatives Themost significanteffect occurred in June.

before ordinals (first, second, third, etc) Thethirdcomponent was missing.

before modifiers that make the noun that

follows specific (same, sole, chief, only, single,

solitary, main, etc.)

He is referring to thesametheory.

Thedigital audio recordingsystem at SFU is enabling

technology to take university lectures out of classrooms

and put them into the pockets of students.

in phrases that refer to a specific part of a

whole group

Each oftheexperiments was successful.

Half ofthepopulation suffered greatly.

with identifiable nouns that are followed by a

modifying of-phrase

Theeffect of an earthquake can be felt for miles.

Thetotalbudget of the average national AIDS program

in the developing world todayis less than the medical

cost of caring for only fifteen people with AIDS in the

United States.

before adjectives that represent groups of

people

A major problem is caring for thehomeless (people).

The Red Cross is committed to helping theneedy

(people).

with certain nouns, such as mechanical

inventions and devices, to refer to a general

example of something rather than a specific

object the speaker/writer has in mind

I always listen to the news on theradio when driving to

work.

She took thebus to work today.

before locations associated with certain

typical or habitual activities. Thelistener/reader may have no idea of the exact

location to which the speaker/writer is

referring.

I m going to thegym after class.Have you been to thebeach this summer?

She needs to pick up some groceries at thestore.

Revised March 22, 2013 DW

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