What Is the Definite Article?
What Is the
Definite Article? (with Examples)
The definite article is the word the. It is used before a noun to specify it as something previously
considered.
There are two types of articles:
There are two types of articles:
·
The Definite Article (the)
·
The Indefinite Article (a and an).
The articles are classified as adjectives.
The is known as the definite article because it indicates something specific.
In contrast to the definite article is the indefinite article (a or an), which indicates something unspecific. Of interest, the is the most commonly used word in English.
The is known as the definite article because it indicates something specific.
In contrast to the definite article is the indefinite article (a or an), which indicates something unspecific. Of interest, the is the most commonly used word in English.
Examples of the
Definite Article
Here are some sentences which compare the use
of definite and indefinite articles:
·
Can we go to the park?
(The park is specific. It is known to the speaker and the
listener.)
·
Can we go to a park?
(The park is
unspecific. The speaker doesn't care which one.)
·
I have found a solution
to the problem.
(The solution is not yet known by the listener. The problem is
known to the speaker and the listener.)
·
I have found a solution
to a problem.
(This would attract a response like Good for you. What problem? The speaker's use of a tells us that the problem is not known
to the listener.)
No comments