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The – Included Parts

Of an already mentioned item

puzzle piece fitting into puzzle

 

 

 

 

3) Known as an expected part of a mentioned item
FIRST MENTION – A

The first time a noun is mentioned, use a.

  Let's do a puzzle.
 

 
KNOWN AS AN INCLUDED PART  – THE

After mentioning a noun, you can refer to its parts with – the. 

puzzle pieces The pieces of the puzzle are in the box. 
 
 

 

 

 

EXPECTED PART

When mentioning a larger item, the smaller parts also become known.  This is true only if the smaller parts are expected to be there.

A  HOUSE

I'd like to see the kitchen, please.   Every house is expected to have a kitchen.
A  CAR

I'd like to see the engine? Every car is expected to have an engine.
COMPUTER

Where is the on-off button?  Every computer is expected to have a power button.
FIRE STATION

Where is  the fire station? Every city is expected to have a central fire station.
NOT EXPECTED

If we are unsure whether the larger item includes a smaller part, we use abefore the part or item
A  HOUSE

*I'd like to see the basement, please.  The house might not have one.

Does this house have a basement?   Some house have one and some don't.
A  CAR

*I'd like to see the gas tank.

Does this car have a gas tank?  Most cars have one, but electric cars don't.
COMPUTER

*Where is the keyboard? 

Does this device have a keyboard?  Most computers / devices have one, but some don't.
FIRE STATION

*Where is  the public swimming pool?

Where is  a public swimming pool? Some cities have one and some don't.
 

*Only used if this a part that one can expect the larger item to have.

 

 

 

 

The

Summary

 

 

 

Link MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION CONTEXTUAL EXAMPLE

Page focus

The noun is identified by:

The is used as part of a larger context or understanding.

The-Earlier Mention   

1)  by earlier, second mention

This is a puzzle piece. The piece fits into a puzzle. 

The-Earlier Mention   

2)  by another name (synonym)

This is a puzzle piece. The parts are rather small.  (a piece = a part)

current page this page 

3)  as an expected part of a larger item

This is a puzzle.  The pieces are inside the box. 

The-Later Mention 

4)  by a phrase or clause after it

The part on top is here.  /  The part that I am holding is a corner.

The-Shared Knowl 

5)  by both knowing or seeing it

Hand me the piece.   (We both know / see which one.)

The-Shared Knowl 

6)  by its uniqueness (It is the only one.)

Hand me the last piece.

 

 

 

 

The -  Every Town Has One

Culturally expected or included items

 

 

 

The – even if there is more than one!
BUILIDINGS PEOPLE

The is used before things every town is expected to have: buildings, services and people.  We can also use a in most cases.

The is used before people that every town is presumed to have.   In most cases, we can also use a. 

police stationWhere's the police station?


Is there a police station nearby?

doctor spanking baby

I have to go to the doctor. Use "the" even though the listener may not know exactly which doctor (a matter of privacy).

*I have to go to my doctor.
?I have to go to a doctor.

I have to find a doctor who is a heart specialist.

 

hospitalWhere's the hospital?

Is there a hospital nearby?

judgeTell it to the judge.

I had to appear in court.
The judge rules in my favor.

fire stationWhere's the fire station?

policeCall the police. (plural)

*Call a police.
I asked a police officer for help.

libraryWhere's the library?

dentistI'm going to the dentist's today.

I'm going to a dentist's today.
I'm going to see a dentist today.

airportWhere's the airport?

mailmanHas the mailman come yet. (specific) 

Use "the" even though there may be more than one who delivers mail to your house.

Has a mailman come yet.  (unspecific)

movieLet's go to the movies.

garbage manThe garbageman comes early.

parkLet's go to the park.

 

librarianAsk the librarian where to find the book.

Use "the" even though there may be more than one.

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 1

Do Both Know?

 

 

 

Do they both know (share knowledge about) which one?
  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

1.
Let's go to the movies tonight.




2.
Let's see the movie playing at the theater nearby?




3.
Let's go to the movie that you mentioned yesterday.




4.
Let's stop by the post office on our way to the theater.




5.
Let's go to the post office near the movie theatre. The one on University Avenue is not on our way.




6.
You park the car while I get the tickets.




7.
Did you get the tickets?
Yes, but not to the 4:00 p.m. show. I could only get ones to the 4:40 p.m. show.




8.
Let's get in line so that we can go in early and get the good seats.




 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 2

Expected Parts of Equipment

 

 

 

  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

9.
beehive

10.

 


11.
Our DVD player is having trouble again. DVD player

12.
I bought a new television.    tv and remote

13.
My new camera takes beautiful pictures.    camera

14.
A book was lying on the patio table.     book

15.
"What an unusual clock."
    " clock

16.
mouseI can't use that computer.  

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 3

Buying a Used Car

car

 

 

 

Read for errors

Jess is buying "previously owned" car. He is checking it over carefully. Body and paint are in very good condition. Interior and seat covers are a bit dirty. Windows are in excellent condition. Tires need replacing because they are very worn. There is dent in rear bumper.

The car also has air conditioning and leather seats. The last owner installed a navigational system, which is very useful. Fortunately, mileage is low, and the price is right. If Jess likes car, he will pay price and receive registration papers.

body (n.) – exterior of the car

dent (n.) – a damaged part that is pushed inward

mileage (n.) – the number of miles the car has travelled

previously (adv.) – at an earlier time

 

 

 

 

Edit for errors
  1. Edit the sentence(s) in the text box.
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.

 

17.
Jess is buying "previously owned" car. He is checking it over carefully. 


18.
Body and paint are in very good condition.


19.
Interior and seat covers are a little dirty.


20.
Tires need replacing because they are very worn.


21.
There is also dent in rear bumper.


22.
The car also has air conditioning and leather seats.


23.
The last owner installed navigational system, which is very useful.


24.
Fortunately, mileage is low, and price is right.


25.
If Jess likes car, he will pay price and receive registration papers.