'The' vs.

'a/an'

Autor goga
Četvrtak, 04 Lipanj 2009 10:19 - Ažurirano Petak, 05 Lipanj 2009 06:29

Indefinite — a, an

Uses

- Before a singular noun which is countable when it is mentioned for the first time and
represents no particular person or thing.
«A horse is a noble animal.»
- Before a singular countable noun which is used as an example of a class of things.
«A book is something you read.»
- With a noun complement, including names of professions.
«She is a doctor, he became a famous actor.»
- In certain numerical expressions.
«a dozen, a hundred»
- In expressions of price, speed, ratio.
”60 miles an hour, 4 hours a day, 30p a box”
- With «few» and «little»
”a few people, a little sugar”
- In exclamations before singular,countable nouns.„What a pity! What a sunny day!”
- It can be placed before Mr., Mrs, Miss, Ms + surname.
”a Mr. Brown phoned today.”

Not Used

- Before plural nouns.

«Horses are noble animals.»
- Before uncountable nouns
«Milk is good for you.»
- Before abstract nouns.
«Fear is natural.»
- Before names of meals except when preceded by an adjective.
«We had a late breakfast and decided to miss lunch.»

Definite — the

Uses

- Before nouns of which there is only one.  «The earth is round.»

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'The' vs. 'a/an'

Autor goga
Četvrtak, 04 Lipanj 2009 10:19 - Ažurirano Petak, 05 Lipanj 2009 06:29

- Before a noun which has become definite as a result of being mentioned a second time.
“We saw a good film last night. It was the film you recommended.”
- Before a noun made definite by the addition of a phrase or clause.
«The woman dressed in black.»
- Before a noun which, by reason of locality, can represent only one particular thing.
«There’s a bee in the kitchen.»
- Before superlatives and «first», «second» and «only»
«The longest river in the world.»
- Before singular nouns used to represent a class of objects.
«The donkey is a very obstinate animal.»
- Before an adjective used to represent a class of persons.
«That tax hurts the rich.»
- Before names of seas, rivers, chains of mountains, groups of islands and plural names of
countries.
«the Pacific Ocean, the Thames, the Andes, the West Indies, the Netherlands«
- Before musical instruments.

Not Used

- Before countries, towns, proper names.

- Before abstract nouns.
«Jealousy can be dangerous.»
- Before parts of the body and articles of clothing — these normally prefer a possessive
adjective.
«Lift your left arm.» ; «He removed his hat.»

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