Using English Articles (#7), by more English

 

Using English Articles (#7)     Because the English articles (a, an, the) are often very challenging for learners of the language, the next several Hints will provide guidelines on their usage. _____________________________   The Definite Article The   Another use for the definite article the happens when the superlative form of adjectives (adjective + -est or most + adjective) is used with a noun. In this situation, the is used as part of the superlative form. Examples: Joe is the tallest person in our class. ***** Basem and Johara are two of the nicest people I know. ***** Bill wants to buy the fastest car that he can afford. ***** The most intelligent people are not necessarily the ones with the highest grades. ***** What's the most expensive city in the world? ***** When's the earliest time that you can be there? ***** That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! ***** That test gets gradually more and more difficult. The most difficult questions are at the end. ***** Your cake is wonderful, Lety! It's the best cake I've ever eaten! ***** I'm about to run out of gas. Where's the closest filling station? _______________________________________________ Special Note: The definite article the is also used with the superlative form of adverbs: Everyone did well, but Eduardo did the best. All the runners in the race ran fast, but Jean-Luc ran the fastest. All the speakers argued convincingly, but Ya-wen argued the most convincingly. _____________________________ Next: more on articles

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