unit article

• “The” is used
before:

 Names of seas, rivers, oceans, mountains,
ranges;
Ex: The Hudson river.
 Ordinal numbers;
Ex: the first.
 Musical instruments;
Ex: the piano.
 Groups and classes of people;
Ex: the portuguese.
 Superlatives;
Ex: the best.
 Nouns used in a particular sense;
Ex: the courage he showed was amazing.
 Singular nouns that represent a group/class;
Ex: the elephant is an endangered mammal.
 Nouns of which there is only one;
Ex: The earth

 Omission of “the”:
o Games and sports;
Ex: He plays football.
o Abstract nouns;
Ex: Poverty.
o Subjects of study;
Ex: I study English.
o Gerunds;
Ex: Football is a popular hobby in England.
o Contries, towns, proper nouns;

Ex: Scotland, Mr. Smith, London.
exceptions: The USA, The U.K., The Algarve
o Names of meals;
Ex: at lunch, for breakfast
o A number of common phrases made up of a
preposition and a noun;
Ex: at university, in bed, at work
o When these expressions are used with
articles, they have special meanings;
Ex: She has gone to hospital. (= as a patient)


Complete the sentences with the definite article or leave the blank:

1. Scientists both in ________ USA and in Russia use _________ rockets for
exploration and research in __________ atmosphere and in _________ space.
2. My cousin plays ________ saxophone very well.
3. ________ English are known for their sense of humour.
4. ________ Dolphin is an animal in danger.
5. ________ west and _______ east civilizations are quite different.
6. ________ Smiths are a vey strange family.
7. That girl studies _______English and ________ French.
8. _______ most dangerous activity in _________ world is bungee jumping.
9. ________ biking is a national sport.
10. _________ Edinburgh is the capital of _________ Scotland.