LANGUAGE: Grammar (7)

Grammar (7)

The Definite Article «The»

1. Using «the» with nouns «The» can be used with singular or plural countable nouns, as well as uncountable nouns:

the man, the shoes, the water

«The» is used when the speaker and listener know exactly which person or thing is being referred to:

• Mentioned before: To talk about people or things already mentioned:

  • I met a girl and a boy. I didn’t like the boy much, but the girl was quite nice.

  • My father bought a shirt and some shoes. The shoes were quite expensive.

• Specific identification: When we specify the person or thing:

  • Who is the man over there talking to Sue?

• Clear from context: When the situation makes it clear what we are referring to:

  • “Where’s Simon?” “He’s in the bathroom.” (= the bathroom in this house)

  • Are you hot? I’ll open the window. (= the window in this room)

  • I got into a taxi. The driver asked me where I wanted to go. (= the driver of that specific taxi)

• Unique things: When there is only one of its kind:

  • I enjoy lying in the sun. / Would you like to travel round the world?

2. General vs. Specific

• General: Use plural or uncountable nouns without «the»:

  • Shoes are expensive. / Milk is good for you.

• Specific: Use the:

  • These are the shoes which I bought last week. / Could you pass the milk, please?

Common Expressions Without Articles

1. Places (Function vs. Building): Nouns like school, university, hospital, prison, church, and bed are used without «the» when referring to their primary purpose.

   • Maria goes to school. (to study) VS The school was painted. (the building)

2. Work and Home: Usually used without articles. (go to work, stay at home)

3. Transport: Use by car/bus/train (no article) or on foot.

4. Meals: No article for general meals (have breakfast), but use the if specific (the dinner you made).

L’article definit «The»

1. Ús de «the» amb substantius Es pot fer servir «the» amb substantius comptables en singular o plural, i amb substantius incomptables:

the man (l’home), the shoes (les sabates), the water (l’aigua)

S’utilitza «the» quan l’interlocutor o lector sap exactament a quina persona o cosa ens referim:

• Ja esmentats: Per parlar de persones o coses que ja han sortit abans:

  • I met a girl and a boy. I didn’t like the boy much… (No m’ha agradat gaire el noi…)

• Especificació: Quan s’especifica la persona o cosa:

  • Who is the man over there…? (Qui és l’home d’allà…?)

• Clar per la situació: Quan el context indica de què parlem:

  • He’s in the bathroom. (És al bany — d’aquesta casa)

• Únics: Quan només n’hi ha un de la seva classe:

  • …lying in the sun (el sol) / …round the world (el món)

2. General vs. Específic

• General: Substantius en plural o incomptables sense «the»:

  • Shoes are expensive. (Les sabates —en general— són cares)

• Específic: S’utilitza the:

  • These are the shoes… (Aquestes són les sabates que vaig comprar…)

Expressions comunes sense article

1. Institucions: school, university, hospital, prison, church, bed no porten article quan pensem en la seva funció principal.

   • Go to bed (anar a dormir) VS Under the bed (sota el llit — l’objecte)

2. Work i Home: Se solen fer servir sense article. (go to work, at home)

3. Transports: By car, by train (en cotxe, en tren) i l’expressió on foot (a peu).

4. Àpats: Generalment sense article (have breakfast), tret que sigui un àpat específic (the dinner you made).

El artículo definido «The»

1. Uso de «the» con sustantivos Se puede emplear «the» con sustantivos contables en singular o plural, y con sustantivos incontables:

the man (el hombre), the shoes (los zapatos), the water (el agua)

Se emplea «the» cuando el interlocutor o lector sabe exactamente a qué persona o cosa nos estamos refiriendo:

• Mencionados anteriormente: Para hablar sobre personas o cosas que ya se han mencionado:

  • I met a girl and a boy. I didn’t like the boy much… (No me gustó mucho el chico…)

• Cuando se especifica: Cuando identificamos claramente a la persona o cosa:

  • Who is the man over there…? (¿Quién es el hombre que está allí…?)

• Claridad por contexto: Cuando está claro por la situación a qué nos referimos:

  • He’s in the bathroom. (Está en el baño — de esta casa)

• Únicos en su clase: Como el sol, la tierra o el mundo:

  • …lying in the sun (el sol) / …round the world (el mundo)

2. General vs. Específico

• General: Se emplean sustantivos plurales o incontables sin «the»:

  • Shoes are expensive. (Los zapatos —en general— son caros)

• Específico: Se emplea the:

  • These are the shoes… (Estos son los zapatos —específicos— que compré…)

Expresiones comunes sin artículo

1. Lugares funcionales: school, university, hospital, prison, church, bed se usan sin artículo si nos referimos a su función (estudiar, curar, dormir).

   • Go to school (a estudiar) VS The school was painted (el edificio)

2. Work y Home: Se suelen emplear sin artículo. (go to work, at home)

3. Medios de transporte: Se usa by car, by train, by plane (sin artículo) y on foot (a pie).

4. Comidas: Generalmente sin artículo (have breakfast), pero se usa the si es una comida específica (the dinner you made).