0
Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Putting the word "the" in front of uncountables

I have this uncomfortable feeling about the sureness of being able to put the determiner "the" in front of all uncountable nouns if those "all" uncountable nouns are being specified upon/on. Can you say for sure that we can put the determiner "the" in front of ALL uncountable nouns if they are being specified either explicitly by structure/context or implicitly by context?

eg,

Give me the water.

Despite the rain, I went to the park. (Clive's)
  

Top answer

Yes, as long as you are talking about specific things give me the water (that bottle you are holding). I went to the park (the one down the road I always go to). If we are not talking specifically we would use other options Give me some water (I'm thirsty and I don't have any specific water in mind) I went to a park (it doesn't matter which one).

— Nona the brit

  • Yes, as long as you are talking about specific things give me the water (that bottle you are holding).
  • I went to the park (the one down the road I always go to).
  • If we are not talking specifically we would use other options Give me some water (I'm thirsty and I don't have any specific water in mind) I went to a park (it doesn't matter which one).
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
Yes, as long as you are talking about specific things

give me the water (that bottle you are holding).

I went to the park (the one down the road I always go to).

If we are not talking specifically we would use other options

Give me some water (I'm thirsty and I don't have any specific water in mind)

I went to a park (it doesn't matter which one).
0

Related Questions