Grammar-Quizzes › Noun Phrases › Determiners › Articles–The › The – Included Parts
The – Included Parts
Refer to expected parts within a mentioned noun
| FIRST MENTION – A |
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The first time a noun is mentioned, use a. |
Let's do a puzzle.
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| KNOWN AS AN INCLUDED PART – THE |
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After mentioning a noun, you can refer to it or its parts with – the. |
Expected parts are:
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| EXPECTED PART |
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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. |
| CITY |
Where is the fire station? Every city is expected to have a central fire station. |
| NOT EXPECTED |
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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. |
| CITY |
*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 of Uses
| Link | MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION | CONTEXTUAL EXAMPLE |
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Page focus |
The noun is identified by: |
The is used as part of a larger context or understanding. |
1) by earlier, second mention |
This is a puzzle piece. The piece fits into a puzzle. |
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2) by another name (synonym) |
This is a puzzle piece. The parts are rather small. (a piece = a part) |
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3) as an expected part of a larger item |
This is a puzzle. The pieces are inside the box. |
4) by a phrase or clause after it |
The part on top is here. / The part that I am holding is a corner. |
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5) by both knowing or seeing it |
Hand me the piece. (We both know / see which one.) |
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6) by its uniqueness (It is the only one.) |
Hand me the last piece. |
"The" — Culturally Expected Parts
Known an included item
The – every town has one
| BUILIDINGS |
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The is used before things every town is expected to have: buildings, services and people, even if there is more than one! We can also use a in most cases. |
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Where's
Where's 
Where's
Where's
Where's 
Let's go to
Let's go to | PEOPLE |
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The is used before people that every town is expected to have. In most cases, we can also use a. |
I have to go to the
doctor. Use "the" even though the listener may not know exactly which doctor. I have to find a doctor who is a heart specialist. |
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Has a mailman come yet. (unspecific) |
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Tell it to 
Call 
I'm going to
Has 
The 
Ask
Practice 1
Expected Parts of Objects
Decide whether 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.
Practice 2
Airport Snag
Read the Context
___ airport in Tenerife had problems with its baggage system. Airport workers had a probem with ___ conveyor belts. ___ electricity had to be turned off while they fixed the problem. ___ electricians had to be called in to assist.
Most problems with baggage equipment seem to involve ___ program error. However, ___ problem in this situation was a backpack that was caught in the machinery.
In this case, ___ difficulty was that the owner of ___ backback had forgotten to secure it well. One of ___ straps had gotten caught (stuck) in the conveyor belt. ___ worker had to cut the strap out of the machinery.
conveyor belt (V) — the moving platform (often circular or oval) from which travelers retrieve their baggage after a trip
get caught (v.phrase) — accidentally become stuck, be tightly between two parts of equipment
machinery (N) — general word for equipment with motors
program error (N) — a computer operation error
secure (V) — tighten or fasten; (tuck in the straps and close all zippers)
snag (N) — something that catches, entangles, impedes or obstructs; (V) grab
straps (N) — long pieces of material that hold or suspend something
Determine which article to use.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. ("0" – no article).
- Compare your responses to the feedback by clicking the "Check" or "Check 1-10" button.
Practice 3
Buying a Used 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.
Car also has air conditioning and leather seats. 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 request to have a mechanic look at it. Then if it is acceptable, 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 the sentence for errors.
- Edit the sentence(s) in the text box.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" button.