Unit 69

the ...

Grammar
Examples
Exercises

A. We use the when it is clear which thing or person we mean:

  • What is the name of this street? (this street has only one name)
  • Who is the best player in your team?
  • Can you tell me the time, please? (= the time now)
  • My office is on the first floor. (= the first floor of the building)
  • Don't forget the:
    • Do you live near the city centre? (not 'near city centre')
    • Excuse me, where is the nearest bank? (not 'where is nearest bank')

B. the same ...

  • We live in the same street. (not 'in same street')
  • 'Are these two books different?' 'No, they're the same.' (not 'they're same')

C. We say:

  • the sun / the moon / the world / the sky / the sea / the country:
    • The sun is shining.
    • Do you live in a town or in the country?
  • the police / the fire brigade / the army (of a city, country etc.):
    • My brother is a soldier. He's in the army.
  • the top / the end / the middle / the left etc.:
    • Write your name at the top of the page.
    • My house is at the end of this street.
    • The table is in the middle Rov the room.
    • Do you drive on the right or on the left in your country?
  • (play) the piano / the guitar / the trumpet etc. (musical instruments):
    • Paula is learning to play the piano.
  • the radio:
    • I listen to the radio a lot.

D. We do not use the with:

  • television:
    • I watch television a lot. ● What's on television tonight?
    • but ● Can you turn off the television? (= the TV set)
  • breakfast / lunch / dinner:
    • What did you have for breakfast? (not 'the breakfast')
    • Dinner is ready!
  • next / last + week/month/year/summer/Monday etc.:
    • I'm not working next week. (not 'the next week')
    • Did you have a holiday last summer? (not 'the last summer')

the = specific

  • What is the name of this street?
  • Who is the best player in your team?
  • Can you tell me the time, please?
  • My office is on the first floor.
  • Do you live near the city centre?

the same

  • We live in the same street.
  • They're the same.

the + unique things

  • the sun, the moon, the world, the sky, the sea, the country
  • the police, the fire brigade, the army
  • the top, the end, the middle, the left
  • the piano, the guitar, the trumpet
  • the radio

no the

  • I watch television a lot.
  • What did you have for breakfast?
  • I'm not working next week.
Progress: 0% (0/0)
69.1 Put in the where necessary. Write OK if the sentence is already correct.
1 What is the name of this street? OK
2 What's on television tonight?
3 Our apartment is on second floor.
4 Would you like to go to moon?
5 Which is best hotel in this town?
6 What time is lunch?
7 How far is it to city centre?
8 We're going away at end of May.
9 What are you doing next weekend?
10 I didn't like her first time I met her.
11 I'm going out after dinner.
12 What's biggest city in world?
13 My sister got married last month.
14 My dictionary is on top shelf on right.
15 We live in country about five miles from nearest village.
69.2 Complete the sentences. Use: the same + age colour problem street time.
1 I live in North Street and you live in North Street. We live in the same street.
2 I arrived at 8.30 and you arrived at 8.30. We arrived at .
3 Jim is 25 and Sue is 25. Jim and Sue are .
4 My shirt is dark blue and so is my jacket. My shirt and jacket are .
5 I've got no money and you've got no money. We've got .
69.3 Look at the pictures and complete the sentences. Use the if necessary.
The sun is shining.
1 The sun is shining.
2 She's playing .
3 They're having .
4 He's listening to .
5 They're watching .
6 They're swimming in .
69.4 Complete these sentences. Choose from the list. Use the if necessary.
capital
dinner
police
lunch
middle
name
sky
television
1 We had dinner at a restaurant last night.
2 We stayed at a very nice hotel but I don't remember .
3 It's very clear tonight. You can see all in .
4 Did you see on last night?
5 Somebody was trying to break into so I called .
6 Tokyo is of Japan.
7 'What did you have for ?' 'A salad.'
8 I woke up in of .