Streams Video • Chatterbug

4014

When to use “the”

elementary

When to use “the”

with MaxBex

3. Elementary

Should I use the word "the" or not... it's not as easy as you think!

We use “the” when we refer to something specific.

because only one exists: the moon, the president of the US

because there’s only one in that specific context: “Mum, can I borrow the car?”

because you’ve already talked about it: “Let’s talk to the restaurant we saw yesterday.”

the + adjective: to refer to a group of people (the rich, the elderly)

because only one exists: the moon, the president of the US

because there’s only one in that specific context: “Mum, can I borrow the car?”

because you’ve already talked about it: “Let’s talk to the restaurant we saw yesterday.”

the + adjective: to refer to a group of people (the rich, the elderly)

❌ people’s names

country names

except when they are plural (the Philippines) or when they have specific words in them (the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland)

general statements

❌ I like the apples (which ones...?) → ✅ I like apples. ❌ The people are generally good (which people...?) → ✅ People are generally good.

Common mistakes

Using “the” instead of a possessive → things that belong to you or are a part of your body:

❌ Does the foot hurt?, instead of ✅ Does your foot hurt?

Using “the” with uncountable nouns and abstract nouns:

❌ You need to drink *the* water regularly. ❌ *The* love is in the air.

Trying to adapt “the” to the word’s gender or the amount of things you’re referring to: “the” has no grammatical gender or number, only one form!

Pick the correct answer

I didn't see the Max's stream today... but I will watch it tonight.

Pick the correct answer

I like the colour yellow.

Pick the correct answer

"What's your favourite food?" "I like the spaghetti!"

Pick the correct answer

"Pass me the marmalade!"

Pick the correct answer

"Have you ever been to the UK?"

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Full Video Duration: 10 minutes
Aired: about 2 years ago

We use “the” when we refer to something specific.

because only one exists: the moon, the president of the US

because there’s only one in that specific context: “Mum, can I borrow the car?”

because you’ve already talked about it: “Let’s talk to the restaurant we saw yesterday.”

the + adjective: to refer to a group of people (the rich, the elderly)

because only one exists: the moon, the president of the US

because there’s only one in that specific context: “Mum, can I borrow the car?”

because you’ve already talked about it: “Let’s talk to the restaurant we saw yesterday.”

the + adjective: to refer to a group of people (the rich, the elderly)

❌ people’s names

country names

general statements

Common mistakes

Using “the” instead of a possessive → things that belong to you or are a part of your body:

Using “the” with uncountable nouns and abstract nouns:

Trying to adapt “the” to the word’s gender or the amount of things you’re referring to: “the” has no grammatical gender or number, only one form!

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