"THE"-as a determiner or "you know what I mean". |
"THE"-is used especially before a noun, that helps in identifying what we are referring to like things or persons. |
If we don't know what we are referring to we use a/an in it. |
Examples:We will go to the beach. : The listener already identifies were.I wanted to have the laptop. : The one that the speaker and listener saw.Please handle me the book. : Already identifies the item. |
Let's have a play. :Speaker doesn't say what kind.I don't want to buy a fruit. :Doesn't say what kind.I don't like an old story. :Does not tell what type. |
When we use "the", the listener or the reader already know what me mean because: |
1.It was already mentioned. |
-They have two pets, a Labrador and a Pitbull. The Labrador is a boy and the Pitbull is a girl. |
2.When we identify who or what we are talking to. |
-Did you saw the boys who was talking with Shane earlier? -I don't like the blue bag. |
3. What we mean is already identified from the situation. |
-Could you please pass to me the salt? -Please pick up the trashes. -Shanielle is in the library. |
"THE"-the only one The listener or the reader may directly know what we mean because its the only one and there is no other choices. |
-I haven't seen the skies so blue. -It's been days since the rain started. -I hope the flood will stop. |
When not to use "THE" 1.Never use "the" with possessive and demonstrative. 2.Usually don't use "the" with singular proper nouns. 3.If in general terms never use an article into it. |