Using English Articles (#10), by more English
Using English Articles (#10)
Because the English articles (a, an, the) are often verychallenging for learners of the language, the next severalHints will provide guidelines on their usage.
_____________________________
The Definite Article The
Here are more common uses for the definite article the.
1.
before names of political / governmentunits followed by of and a name:
He's from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Where is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg?
The Principality of Monaco is nearboth France and Italy.
I've never visited the Sultanate of Oman.
He's a citizen of the U.S. (the United Statesof America).
2.
before general names for academic oreducational institutions followed byof and an identifying name:
He's studying at the University of Arizona.
He's a counselor for the College ofLiberal Arts.
Where are the offices for the School ofSocial Work?
What's the address of the California StateDepartment of Education?
3.
before names of large bodies of water(seas, oceans, gulfs, straits, groups oflakes, etc.):
One of California's borders is withthe Pacific Ocean.
How large is the South China Sea?
Which is correct--the Persian Gulf orthe Gulf of Arabia?
How many people have swum acrossthe English Channel?
Do you know where the Strait of Belle Isleis located?
Which U.S. state has borders with two ofthe Great Lakes?
4.
before names of mountain ranges:
Have you seen the Rocky Mountains?
Bob went skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Where are the Atlas Mountains located?
Machu Pichu is located in the Andes, isn't it?
5.
before earth, moon, and sun when theyare not capitalized:
We must learn to take better care of the earth.
Is the moon full tonight?
How far is the earth from the sun?
6.
before specific names of ships or planes:
Lindbergh flew The Spirit of St. Louis.
How many people sailed on The Titanic?
Was Jason's ship called The Golden Fleece?
Have you heard of a plane calledThe Spruce Goose?
_______________________________________________
Special Notes:
Do not use the when the name of a countryis only one word.
not this:
*She's from the Peru.
but this:
She's from Peru.
Do not use the when a specific name isused before a general type of academic /educational institution:
*His brother is a professor atthe Harvard University.
His brother is a professor atHarvard University.
*Isn't your boyfriend attendingthe Glendale Community College?
Isn't your boyfriend attendingGlendale Community College?
Do not use the when a single lake usesLake as part of its name:
*The Crater Lake is a famoustourist spot in Oregon.
Crater Lake is a famoustourist spot in Oregon.
*The Lake Titicaca is in bothPeru and Colombia.
Lake Titicaca is in bothPeru and Colombia.
Do not use the with Mt. (Mount) for thename of a single mountain:
*In what country is theMt. Kilimanjaro located?
In what country isMt. Kilimanjaro located?
*Sir Edmund Hillary is famousfor climbing the Mt. Everest.
Sir Edmund Hillary is famousfor climbing Mt. Everest.
Do not use the for the names of planets.When "earth" is used as the name of a planet,use a capital letter and do not use the:
*The Jupiter is a very large planet.
radar6