Intermediate The VI

Table of Contents

With a General Meaning

The is not used before a noun if the meaning is general.

Examples:

  • She doesn’t like hospitals. (Hospsitals in general, not a particular one.)
  • Life is sometimes very difficult to understand. (Life in general, not a particular life.)
  • He studies chemistry and biology  at school.

The is not used with most.

Examples:

  • Most patients have files.
  • Most people have a personal computer nowadays.

In Particular Cases

The is used, if we are talking about something in particular.

Examples:

  • Can you give me some of the throat gargle that the doctor recommended, please? (A particular bottle of throat gargle.)
  • We took the children to the dentist last week. (Particular children not children in general.)

However, it is not always clear if one is talking about something in general or something in particular.

Examples:

  • Do you like red wine?( In general.)
  • Do you like red wine from Burgundy? (Still in general)
  • Did you like the red wine we had last night? (In particular.)
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