ARTICLES

THE ARTICLES ARE WORDS THAT CANNOT STAND ALONE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO

MEANING

OWN; THEY SHOULD ALWAYS STAND IN FRONT OF THE NAME AND HAVE SOME

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS.

The definite article indicates a person, an animal or thing that is determined and known by the speaker and

the listener.

There is a dog in the courtyard: the dog means the dog we know; can be my dog, yours, his… the dog

mentioned we have already spoken. In any case it is not a unknown dog.

The definite article is used to indicate:

• a unique person / thing

The moon is yellow.

The pope lives in Rome.

• an entire species or category

The lion lives in Africa.

The soldiers wear uniforms.

• a person / animal / thing that has already been talked about first

I went to a birthday party; the party was a lot of fun because all my friends were there.

Sometimes the definite article replaces:

• a demonstrative adjective

I'll get my driver's license by spring.

(= by this spring)

• an indefinite adjective

On Saturday night I go to the disco.

(= every Saturday evening)