"the" and "a"
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"the" and "a"
hi there! does anyone have any tips on how to simplify when to use "the", "a" or neither of them? i have explained that "a" is more general and "the" more specific but their is more to it than that, please help. ps: i think this forum is WONDERFUL! so happy i found it.
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fancypants
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:21 pm
- Location: canada
Articles are really confusing to students because there are very few dependable rules and a lot of memorization.
If you want a summary of general usage, go here:
http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/esl.html
...there's a ton of stuff on the Internet if you just try googling.
One of the most common mistakes students make regarding articles goes something like this:
A: I am going to the movie.
B: What movie? Have we talked about a movie before? Sorry, I don't remember.
A: Oh, sorry. I meant "a movie".
B: Okay, what movie are you going to see?
A: "Sex in the City".
B: What time does the movie start? Maybe I can join you.
In this case, the indefinite article is used first to introduce something new. After that both speakers can refer to that thing using the definite article because the idea has already been established among all parties.
It kind of works like pronouns: you have to introduce the thing being referred to first before you can use them. In this case "a/an" is used first and then "the" for all subsequent referencing.
Hope this helps.
If you want a summary of general usage, go here:
http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/esl.html
...there's a ton of stuff on the Internet if you just try googling.
One of the most common mistakes students make regarding articles goes something like this:
A: I am going to the movie.
B: What movie? Have we talked about a movie before? Sorry, I don't remember.
A: Oh, sorry. I meant "a movie".
B: Okay, what movie are you going to see?
A: "Sex in the City".
B: What time does the movie start? Maybe I can join you.
In this case, the indefinite article is used first to introduce something new. After that both speakers can refer to that thing using the definite article because the idea has already been established among all parties.
It kind of works like pronouns: you have to introduce the thing being referred to first before you can use them. In this case "a/an" is used first and then "the" for all subsequent referencing.
Hope this helps.