Using English Articles (#10), by more English

 

Using English Articles (#10)     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     Here are more common uses for the definite article the. 1.   before names of political / government units followed by of and a name: He's from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Where is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg? The Principality of Monaco is near both France and Italy. I've never visited the Sultanate of Oman. He's a citizen of the U.S. (the United States of America).       2.   before general names for academic or educational institutions followed by of and an identifying name: He's studying at the University of Arizona. He's a counselor for the College of Liberal Arts. Where are the offices for the School of Social Work? What's the address of the California State Department of Education?       3.   before names of large bodies of water (seas, oceans, gulfs, straits, groups of lakes, etc.): One of California's borders is with the Pacific Ocean. How large is the South China Sea? Which is correct--the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia? How many people have swum across the English Channel? Do you know where the Strait of Belle Isle is located? Which U.S. state has borders with two of the Great Lakes?       4.   before names of mountain ranges: Have you seen the Rocky Mountains? Bob went skiing in the Swiss Alps. Where are the Atlas Mountains located? Machu Pichu is located in the Andes, isn't it?       5.   before earth, moon, and sun when they are not capitalized: We must learn to take better care of the earth. Is the moon full tonight? How far is the earth from the sun?       6.   before specific names of ships or planes: Lindbergh flew The Spirit of St. Louis. How many people sailed on The Titanic? Was Jason's ship called The Golden Fleece? Have you heard of a plane called The Spruce Goose? _______________________________________________ Special Notes: 1.   Do not use the when the name of a country is only one word. not this:   *She's from the Peru. but this:   She's from Peru.       2.   Do not use the when a specific name is used before a general type of academic / educational institution: not this:   *His brother is a professor at the Harvard University. but this:   His brother is a professor at Harvard University.       not this:   *Isn't your boyfriend attending the Glendale Community College? but this:   Isn't your boyfriend attending Glendale Community College?       3.   Do not use the when a single lake uses Lake as part of its name: not this:   *The Crater Lake is a famous tourist spot in Oregon. but this:   Crater Lake is a famous tourist spot in Oregon.       not this:   *The Lake Titicaca is in both Peru and Colombia. but this:   Lake Titicaca is in both Peru and Colombia.       4.   Do not use the with Mt. (Mount) for the name of a single mountain: not this:   *In what country is the Mt. Kilimanjaro located? but this:   In what country is Mt. Kilimanjaro located?       not this:   *Sir Edmund Hillary is famous for climbing the Mt. Everest. but this:   Sir Edmund Hillary is famous for climbing Mt. Everest.       5.   Do not use the for the names of planets. When "earth" is used as the name of a planet, use a capital letter and do not use the: not this:   *The Jupiter is a very large planet. but this:   Jupiter is a very large planet.       not this:   *How far is it from the Earth to the moon? but this:   How far is it from Earth to the moon? _____________________________ Next: more on articles

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