When 'the' used with a time noun

Question

I think 'the' indicate 'the present' when it is used with a time noun.
the day = today
the week = this week
the year = this year

1) In the past, there was no car. : at a certain past point
2) It has happened many times in the past. : until the present from a certain past point
3) My father was in hospital for six weeks.: during a certain past period
4) My father was in hospital during the summer. : during a certain past period
5) Fashion has changed for the last twenty years. : until the present from a certain past point

1. We can use the present perfect tense for #3, #4 if he is in hospital until now or he isn't still fit after his having left the hospital; am I right?
2. We can't use the past tense because of 'for' and 'the' for #5; am I right?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

park sang joonI think 'the' indicate 'the present' when it is used with a time noun.the day = todaythe week = this weekthe year = this year

No, not at all. The day that I was born was long, long ago.

1) In the past, there was no car. : at a certain past point-- No, no such point is suggested
2) It has happened many times in the past. : until the present from a certain past point- There is no certain past point.
3) My father was in hospital for six weeks.: during a certain past period - A 6-week period sometime in the past.
4) My father was in hospital during the summer. : during a certain past period - During the most recent past summer unless another year is indicated.
5) Fashion has not changed for the last twenty years. : until the present from a certain past point-- Yes: 1994.

park sang joon1. We can use the present perfect tense for #3, #4 if he is in hospital until now or he isn't still fit after his having left the hospital; am I right?

Not necessarily. It has to do with when he left the hospital, not about his current fitness.

park sang joon2. We can't use the past tense because of 'for' and 'the' for #5; am I right?

Right.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you Mr.Micawber for your concrete answer.
the day = today
the week = this week
the year = this year

Mister Micawber not at all.

No, I think that all isn't the case is proper.

Mister Micawber · Answer

park sang joonNo, I think that all isn't the case is proper.

I don't understand your comment. Are you challenging my statement?

The day/week/year she died I wept. -- That is not today/this week/this year.

Park sang joon · Answer

I meant we could use 'the' as such usages as the followings

I want you to cancel my appointments for the rest of the day.
= I want you to cancel my appointments for the rest of today.
I will call on you before the end of the week.
= I will call on you before the end of this week.
We expect growth in sales to double by the end of the year.
= We expect growth in sales to double by the end of this year.

Mister Micawber · Answer

park sang joonI meant we could use 'the' as such usages as the following

Yes, 'the' can be used for those meanings, but I think therefore that you have a poor understanding of the concept of the definite article. 'The' refers to any specific, previously mentioned, or unique time, and it is the context that defines what that time is.

Park sang joon · Answer

I admit to having made mistakes from the first post.
I have said as it is only truth. I should have said about chance of 'the' meaning the present.
And I see what you are meaning and I knew already the context decide the meaning of 'the' plus time noun.
I'm so sorry that my mistakes caused you confused.

When 'the' used with a time noun

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions