Grammar-Quizzes › Noun Phrases › Determiners › Articles–The › The –One Identified

The – One Identified

Refer to a known one or ones

All vs. Definite

ALL — IN GENERAL
No article is used before a noun when mentioning something in general and not speaking about an exact item or a specific item. A noncount noun takes the simple form (e.g. salami, cheese, milk). A count noun takes the plural form (e.g. crackers, classes, cars). This use is indefinite & unspecific – "true for all of its kind; any one / any ones".
Salami is very salty. (noncount noun)
Crackers are salty. (count noun) (also called crisps, thins, biscuits)
Classes always fill up quickly.
People head for the beach in the summer. (People, not marked with the expected -s, is a plural-only noun with no singular form.)
People prefer to drive their own vehicles (cars).

THE — DEFINITE
The article the is used before a noun when mentioning something that is specific — known because there is identifying information about exactly which one or ones. The is followed by a noun in its normal count or noncount noun form¹. The noun often includes a modifier (adjective, relative clause or prep phrase) that specifies which one(s). This use is definite & specific – "true for some, this one / these ones".
The salami I bought is very salty. ("Salami" identified as the cured meat I bought.)
The crackers I tasted are salty. ("Crackers" identified as the ones I tasted.)
The classes at my gym always fill up quickly. ("Classes" identified as those at my gym.)
The people in my area head for beach in the summer. ("People" identified as those in my area.)
The people that I know prefer to ride a bicycle. ("People" identified as the group I know.)

THE — DEFINITE

The article the is used before a noun when mentioning something that is specific — known because there is identifying information about exactly which one or ones. The is followed by a noun in its normal count or noncount noun form¹. The noun often includes a modifier (adjective, relative clause or prep phrase) that specifies which one(s). This use is definite & specific – "true for some, this one / these ones".

salami - specific one The salami I bought is very salty.

("Salami" identified as the cured meat I bought.)

The crackers I tasted are salty.

("Crackers" identified as the ones I tasted.)

classes in specific The classes at my gym always fill up quickly.

("Classes" identified as those at my gym.)

people-specifically The people in my area head for beach in the summer.

("People" identified as those in my area.)

bicycle The people that I know prefer to ride a bicycle.

("People" identified as the group I know.)

Terms

unspecific "any"
specific "one in mind"
indefinite "not mentioning an exact one" or "we don't know which one"
definite "an exact one" or " we know which one"

Combinations expressed by article use:

unspecific and indefinite — Salami is salty. (True for any salmi.) | Crackers are salty. (True for all (most) crackers.) | The subcompact is an idea city car. (True for cars in this class.)
specific but indefinite — Salami keeps at room temperature for up to 40 days. (some salami, but we are not mentioning exactly which salami)
specific and definite — The salmi that I bought went bad after a week. (some salami, and we know which salami)

¹ See Count & Noncount Nouns | Group Nouns | The — Group Characteristics (an exception!)

The with Nouns

Singular/Plural and Noncount

Count vs Noncount Nouns

COUNT NOUNS
The is used with a count noun when referring to a definite & specific one (singular) or ones (plural).
COUNT—SPECIFIC & DEFINITE
The cracker in my hand is tasty. A definite one. The crackers in my hand are tasty. Some definite ones.
SPECIFIC & INDEFINITE
A cracker would be tasty with this salami. An unknown one. Some crackers would be tasty with this salami. Some unknown ones.
UNSPECIFIC & INDEFINITE
Crackers are tasty. All crackers. A cracker is tasty. Any cracker.

NONCOUNT NOUNS
The is used with a noncount noun when referring to a specific or definite mass, group or quantity.
NONCOUNT—UNSPECIFIC & INDEFINITE
The salami on that plate is tasty. A known one.
UNSPECIFIC & INDEFINITE
Some salami would be tasty with this cracker. True for an unknown one.
UNSPECIFIC & INDEFINITE
Salami is tasty. True for all salami.

A count noun is a unit, an item in a group that can be counted. A number can be placed before it: three crackers. It can take the plural form. Most count nouns belong to a collective group which is a noncount noun. Occasionally, a noncount noun ends in -s : news, measles, mathematics, series, means (These are word forms that happen to end in -s.)

A noncount noun is a group, mass or collective noun. It is not countable because it is too small, a particle, liquid, gas, or a concept or activity. A noncount or collective noun takes the singular form .

Common Mistakes

Errors and Solutions

Error and Solution

ERROR
*The life is difficult for me in my country.
*After sailing for five weeks, Christopher Columbus saw a land.
*The English is a hard language for me to learn.
*The Englishes sent their navy to defeat the Spanishes.
*Blind learn how to navigate the sidewalks safely.
*Alice in a Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

SOLUTION
Life is difficult for me in my country.
After sailing for five weeks, Christopher Columbus saw land. (generic, not specific)
English is a hard language for me to learn.
The English sent their navy to defeat the Spanish. See The — Nationalities (The group is an exception!)
The blind learn how to navigate the sidewalks safely. See The — Group Characteristics (The group is an exception!)
Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll book title

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

Practice 1

People are Funny

Generalize – choose the article forms that refer to all.

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

funny. Have you ever noticed how up to chairs in but don't sit down directly? They have to move their a little before sitting down. I've never understood this. may be perfectly placed for to sit in, but for some reason have to move anyway. In fact, fixed to the ground. Perhaps, this to claim . You wouldn't think that moving a chair an inch would make a difference, but apparently it does.

funny. Have you ever noticed how up to chairs in , but don't sit down directly? They have to move their a little before sitting down. I've never understood this. may be perfectly placed for to sit in, but for some reason have to move anyway. In fact, fixed to the ground. Perhaps, this to claim . You wouldn't think that moving a chair an inch would make a difference, but apparently it does.