When definite article is used

Question

When I should use definite article and when not??? - help me to understand, please

Skif · Accepted Answer

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWhen I should use definite articles and when not?

Use the definite article when you know that your listener will be able to pick out the one entity or set of entities in the real world that you intend him to pick out. The listener will know which one you are referring to.

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Suppose you are in a room with only one table. When you say 'the table' you mean that table. Your listener will know which table you mean, for example, if you say, "Put those packages on the table". There is no other table you can be referring to.

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Suppose you are in a room with two or more tables. If you say 'the table', nobody knows which table you are referring to. It could be any one of them.

Now you have two choices: 1. If it matters which table, specify more exactly. 2. If it doesn't matter which table, use the indefinite article.

1. Put those packages on the table closest to that window over there. The underlined portion specifies more exactly which table you are referring to.

2. Put those packages on a table. You don't care about which table.

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Note the use of the word above. In short, the shows which; the absence of the shows you don't care which.

CJ

When definite article is used

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