Grammar at a Glance

The Article

The Article
In order to write and speak correct English, it is imperative that the student should master the use of the definite and the indefinite article. Generally speaking students commit the following types of mistakes in the use of the article. They do not put the definite article where it is required. They put the definite article where it is not required. They do not put the indefinite article before a common noun in the singular. They place the indefinite article before an abstract or a material noun.

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The Definite Article

Rule 1 The (The definite article) is used when we wish to particularize a noun; that is, when we wish to distinguish a particular thing from a number of similar things. For example, if we wish to distinguish a certain boy from other boys, we should say, the boy. Similarly, if we want to particularize a dog, we should say, the dog. I want a girl/boy with curly hair. I want the girl/boy with curly hair. Salim saw a horse in a jungle The horse which Salim was riding felt tired.

The Definite Article

Rule 2 The (the definite article) is placed before a common noun that has been mentioned before. 1. A beggar went to a miser and requested him to give him a piece. The miser said to the beggar, Get out, I will not give you anything.

The Definite Article

Rule 3 Use the before a common noun when that noun is used to indicate a class. For instance one bird may be made to represent the entire class, or one beast may be made to represent the entire species. Examples 1. The dog is a faithful animal. 2. The cat is a domestic pet. 3. The peacock is a beautiful bird. 4. The lion is a noble beast.

The Definite Article

Rule 4 Use the before the names of rivers. Examples 1. The Ganges 2. The Indus 3. The Danube 4. The Ravi 5. The Chennab

The Definite Article

Rule 5 Use the before the names of groups of islands. Examples: 1. The Andaman Islands 2. The East Indies The is, however, not used before the names of individual islands as Ceylon, Ireland, England

The Definite Article

Rule 6 Use the before the names of ranges of mountains. Examples: 1. The Alps 2. The Himalayas 3. The Vindhyas 4. The Hindukush The is, however, not used before the names of individual mountains. Thus it is wrong to say the Mount Everest or the Mount Abu. We should say Mount Everest and Mount Abu.

The Definite Article

Rule 7 The is placed before the names of oceans, seas, bays, gulfs and straits: Examples: 1. The Indian Ocean 2. The Mediterranean Sea 3. The Bay of Bengal 4. The Persian Gulf 5. The Straits of Dover

The Definite Article

Rule 8 The is usually placed before the proper names of books. Examples: 1. The Quran 2. The Bible 3. The Ramayana 4. The Mahabharata

The Definite Article

Rule 9 The is placed before certain things which are unique in nature. Examples: 1. The moon 2. The sun 3. The sky 4. The earth

The Definite Article

Rule 10 The is placed before the superlative degree of an adjective. Examples: 1. He is the best boy in the class. 2. She is the cleverest of all girls. 3. This is the most wonderful invention of our time.

The Definite Article

Rule 11 The is placed before the names of certain newspaper and magazines. Examples: 1. The Pakistan Times 2. The Tribune 3. The Dawn 4. The Nation The names of certain papers and periodicals are, however, not preceded by the. For instance: Readers Digest and not the Readers Digest

The Definite Article

Rule 12 The is placed before the word Punjab because it is a meaningful name. We must say the Punjab and not Punjab.

The Definite Article

Rule 13 The is placed before adjectives used as nouns in the plural sense. Example 1 The poor are generally God-fearing. The rich do not generally care for the poor. The wise never look down upon the foolish. The mischievous will be punished The English are very patriotic

The Definite Article

Rule 14 The is used in such sentences as: The sooner you go, the better it is. The more, the merrier. The faster, the better. Rule 15 Use the when you idiomatically liken a proper name to another or use it as a common noun. Example: Kalidasa is the Shakespeare of India. Goethe is the Shakespeare of Germany. Srinagar is the Venice of Asia.

Where the Definite Article is not used

Rule 1 When a common noun is used in the Plural number. Examples: Cows are grazing Dogs bark Students are playing in the field. Rule 2 The is not placed before the names of towns, capes, names of countries, continents, single islands, names of lakes, names of single mountains. Examples: He lives in London Cape Comorin is situated in the south of India Pakistan is a thickly populated country Asia is a vast continent Everest is the highest mountain in the world

Where the Definite Article is not used

Rule 3 The is not placed before abstract nouns. Examples: Jealousy is an evil passion Honesty is the best policy Cleanliness, is next to godliness Rule 4 The is not placed before material nouns Examples: Gold is a precious metal This cup is made of silver This statue is made of bronze

Where the Definite Article is not used

Rule 5 The is not used before the name of diseases Examples: He died of cholera Plague is a fatal disease Rule 6 The is not placed before adjectives used as nouns and signifying languages and colors. Examples: English, French, German, yellow, blue, etc. He knows French He is learning German I prefer blue to yellow Rule 7 The is not placed before Roman numerals Examples: George V, Alamgir II