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puzzle piece fitting into puzzleThe – Included Parts

Referring to expected parts within a mentioned noun

 

 

 

3) Known as an Expected Part of a Mentioned Item 
FIRST MENTION – A KNOWN AS AN INCLUDED PART  – THE

The first time a noun is mentioned, use a.

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

  Let's do a puzzle.
 

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

NOT EXPECTED

In a house – a basement   Some house have one and some don't.

EXPECTED PART

In a house – the kitchen  Every house is expected to have a kitchen.

On a car –a trunk  Most cars have one, but some cars don't.

On a car –  the engine Every car is expected to have an engine.

On a computer –  a keyboard  Most computers have one, but some don't.

On a computer – the hard drive  Every computer is expected to have a hard drive.

In a city –  a performing arts center Some cities have one and some don't.

In a city –  the fire station Every city is expected to have a central fire station.

On a newspaper - a comics section Some newspapers have one and some don't.

On a newspaper – the headlines Every newspaper has headlines, large print on the first page.

 

 

Summary for Using The
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

 

 

 

3) As an Expected Part: Every Town Has One
BUILIDINGS PEOPLE

The is used before things every town is expected to have: buildings, services and people.  

The is used before people that every town is presumed to have.    

police stationWhere's the police station?
Where's the hospital?
Where's the fire station?
fire stationWhere's the library?
Where's the airport?
Let's go to the movies.
Let's go to the park.
 airport

 

 

 

doctor spanking babyI have to go to the doctor.
Tell it to the judge.
Call the police. (plural)

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

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 1

Expected Parts of a Town

 

Is the noun identified by shared knowledge?
  1. Select the option that best describes the "shared knowledge" between the listener and speaker.
  2. Compare your response to the answer to the right.

 

# YOUR RESPONSE FEEDBACK / ANSWER
1. Would you like to go to the movies ?



 
2.   Do you know of a funny movie we could see?


 
3. Let's go to the movie "Star Wars".



 		  
4. Would you take this box to the post office and mail it for me?
5. "Which post office should I take it to?"
"Take it to the post office next to the bank, not the one on University Ave.
6.
 
7.  
8.
9.
 
10. about the change.
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 2

Expected Parts of Equipment

 

 

 

3) As an Expected Part of a Larger Item:  Every Car Has One

sports car


Parts that all cars are expected to have:

  • the tires
  • the seats
  • the doors
  • the windows
  • the fuel tank
     


 but not items which are optional features.

  • the fog lamps
  • the snow tires
  • the convertible top

 

 

Expected Parts
  1. Select the response that best completes the sentence.
  2. Compare your response the the answer by clicking the check button to the right.

 

#  YOUR RESPONSE FEDDBACK
11. DVD playerMy DVD player is having trouble again.
12. tv and remoteI bought a new television.   
13. cameraMy new camera takes beautiful pictures.   
14. bookA book was lying on the patio table.   
15.  clock "What an unusual clock."
    " "
16. mouseI can't use that computer.