Grammar-Quizzes › Noun Phrases › Determiners › Articles–The › The – Second Mention

The – Second Mention

Refer to a definite, already known item

the puzzle piece

1) Definite because it is known by earlier mention

A—FIRST MENTION
In this example, the article a marks a noun as specific. It expresses a particular item, one that you can see or have knowledge about. The specific use of a, expresses an introduction to an item. "This is my first mention of the item." (Next use is marked the.)
This is a piece of a puzzle. Use a piece when you introduce an item.

THE—SECOND MENTION
In this case, the article the marks a noun as a definite item. It expresses a particular item, one that you can see or have knowledge about. The definite use of the, expresses a known item. "We share knowledge about which one I'm talking about."
The piece fits into the top of a puzzle. Use the piece when you second mention it a second time.

Also see A–Any One (first mention, noncount noun) and The–Classification (first mention, member of a classification)

"The" — Earlier Mention

By Another Name

2) Definite because it was mentioned by another name (synonym)

FIRST MENTION – A
The first time a noun is mentioned, use a.
This is a piece of a puzzle.

SECOND MENTION – THE
The next time the noun is mentioned, even if by another name, use the.
The part fits into the top of the puzzle.

"The"

Summary of Uses

Summary for Using The

LINK	MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION	CONTEXTUAL EXAMPLE
Page focus	The noun is identified or already known:	The is used as part of a larger context or understanding.
this page	1) by earlier, second mention	This is a puzzle piece. The piece fits into a puzzle.
this page	2) by another name (synonym)	This is a puzzle piece. The parts are rather small. (a piece = a part)
The-Included Parts	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 Knowledge	5) by both knowing or seeing it	Hand me the piece. (We both know / see which one.)
The-Shared Knowledge	6) by its uniqueness (It is the only one.)	Hand me the last piece.

Practice 1

The – Second Mention

Read

An app called Jigsaw by M2H allows you to make a puzzle on your iPad or tablet. ___ app opens and shows a wooden tabletop. ___ tabletop is filled with puzzle pieces. You can arrange them to see their shapes. Then, you can drag a puzzle piece to its place. If __ piece fits correctly, it stays. You can preview ___ puzzle picture or discover ___ picture as you put the pieces together.

The puzzles have ___ easy level (24 pieces) and ___ complex level (96 pieces). You can choose ___ level of difficulty that you like. You can also add __ picture of your own. ___ picture will become a new puzzle that you can send to friends. This is __ great way to pass time and amuse yourself. You can buy __ app in the Apple App Store.

app (N) – a small application for a smartphone, tablet, or other portable device on iOS or Android.

complex (Adj) – having many details (difficult)

fit (V) – be the correct size or shape

level (N) – the amount or degree of something, compared to another amount or degree (classes, skill levels, achievement, difficulty)

preview (V) – view before doing something (starting the puzzle)

tabletop – desk top, the surface of the table

wooden (Adj) – made of wood (from a tree)

Select and complete

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

An app called Jigsaw by M2H allows you to make a puzzle on your iPad or tablet. opens and shows a wooden tabletop.

Feedback 1

is filled with puzzle pieces. You can arrange them to see their shapes.

Feedback 2

Then, you can drag a puzzle piece to its place. If fits, it stays.

Feedback 3

You can preview or discover the picture as you put the pieces together.

Feedback 4

The puzzles have (24 pieces) and (96 pieces).

Feedback 5

You can choose you like.

Feedback 6

You can also add .

Feedback 7

will become a new puzzle that you can send to friends.

Feedback 8

This is to pass time and amuse yourself.

Feedback 9

10.

You can buy in the Apple App Store.

Feedback 10

Practice 2

First & Second Mention - Neighbor

Decide which article to use—a or the.

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

11-18.

Last night, I went to movie. At movie, I met woman from my neighborhood. woman lives in house down the street from me. house is white with huge oak tree in the front yard. oak tree is well-known because it is the oldest tree in our city.

Practice 3

First & Second Mention - New Puppy

Decide which article to use—a or the.

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

19-30.

new puppy requires a lot of care. puppy needs to have loving family. family needs to have understanding of what puppy needs. For example, puppy needs bed. bed should be kept in warm, dry place. warm dry place should be kept as far as possible from where family is trying to sleep.

new puppy requires a lot of care. puppy needs to have loving family. family needs to have understanding of what puppy needs. For example, puppy needs bed. bed should be kept in warm, dry place. warm, dry place should be kept as far as possible from where family is trying to sleep.