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I have bought the books. (Person to which I am telling, knows about the books).books is uncountable noun. Can we use article the before books?

Jigneshbharati · Accepted Answer

Books is the plural of the noun "book" so it's a countable noun.

You can count them.

You and your friend both know which books you are referring to so that makes the noun "books" definite or specific books.

You need "the" before the noun "books" in your example.

I am not an expert! Hope the seniors would intervene and guide us through.

Anonymous · Answer

CHAYAN PANCHORI
I have bought the books. (Person to which I am telling, knows about the books).

books is uncountable noun. Can we use article the before books?

Firstly, the article "the" has nothing to do with countable and uncountable nouns. Who told you that there is a relationship between them? This is the second time I find someone relate "the" with countable nouns. I think you misunderstood the rule.

When using "a" or "an" you need to care/think about being countable or uncountable noun. Regarding"the", you can use it with both of them . As long as you are referring to a specific book or books, you will need "the" before the noun. Also when referring to a noun, whether was singular or plural, which is you and the listener knows about it, you can use "the".

I think I can guess why there is a misunderstanding to this rule, because we should always say: "The sun" "The moon".

If that's the case, then you need to know that you must use "the" before such words, because you are referring to something unique that all people know about it. Due to being one in the whole world, it makes them known. That's why you use "the" before using them. It's not because they are just singular as you might think.

I suggest you to read in detail about articles usages. I'm not that good in using "the" in particular, by the way.

CalifJim · Answer

CHAYAN PANCHORICan we use the article the before books?

Yes. You can use 'the' before any noun. It doesn't matter whether it's countable or uncountable, singular or plural.

the sugar (uncountable), the book (countable singular), the books (countable plural)

CJ

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