Page 169 - Oxford_English_Grammar_Course_Basic_2015

the and a/an Let's see a film. I didn't like the film.

We use the, not a/an, to talk about somebody or something, when the speaker and hearer both know
about this person or thing; when they both know which one(s). In other cases we use a/an.

THE A/AN

Could you close the door? Could you open a window?
(You know which door.) (1don't mind which window.)

I'm going to the post office. Is there a post office near here?
(You know which one - the one near here.)

Can 1use the phone? (= 'your phone') Have you goto phone?

1didn't like the film. {= 'the one that we saw') Let's go and see a film.
He looked at the moon. (There's only one.) He looked at a tree.
She's in the front room. 1need a room for tonight.

(You know which room - I'm telling you.)
She came on the 8.15 train. She arrived in an old taxi.
(You know which train - I'm telling you.)
How much is the red coat? I've just bought a new coat.
(You know which coat - I'm telling you.)

^ Put in a/an or the.

► I walked up to her house, rang ..fy?......bell 5 Where's........... teacher? She's very late.
and opened .....door. 6 I want........... long holiday in .............sun.
► He lives in ..?......... small village. 7 Who's........... man in your office?

1 Look - that's John walking across........... street. 8 I'm leaving o n ........... 4.30 bus.
2 Can I use........... bathroom? 9 'Which is your coat?'' green one.'
3 I need........... English-French dictionary - have 10 Claire's looking fo r.............new job.
you got one? 11 Why are you looking a t........... sky?
4 I know........... good restaurant - shall I reserve 12 I'll meet you at 4.30 a t........... bus stop outside

........... table for tonight? ........... police station.

We use the before only; first, second etc; and superlatives like oldest, most (see page 223).
She's the only woman for me. I live on the second floor.
It's the oldest restaurant in Glasgow. He bought the most expensive one.

^ Put the beginnings and ends together, and put in a/an or the.

0 Sarah's A cup of coffee?......
1 I've g o t........... B first train tomorrow morning?......

2 John's........... C hottest day of the year........
3 What time is ........... D most intelligent person in our family.
4 Yesterday was........... E only boy in the class........
5 Would you like........... F present for you........

154 ARTICLES: A/AN AND THE