Angol nyelvhasználat tanítóknak és óvodapedagógusoknak

- Home
- 1. Introduction to time, tense and aspect
  - 1.1 The difference between times and tenses
  - 1.2 Aspects
  - 1.3 State verbs and action verbs
- 2. Past time
  - 2.1 Past simple
  - 2.2 Past continuous
  - 2.3 The difference between the past simple and the past continuous
  - 2.4 Past perfect
  - 2.5 The difference between the past simple and the past perfect
  - 2.6 Past perfect continuous
  - 2.7 The difference between the past perfect and the past perfect continuous
  - 2.8 Present simple to express past
  - 2.9 USED TO for past habits
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 3. Present time
  - 3.1 Present simple
  - 3.2 Present continuous
  - 3.3 Present perfect
  - 3.4 Present perfect continuous
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 4. Future time
  - 4.1 Future simple
  - 4.2 Future continuous
  - 4.3 Future perfect
  - 4.4 Future perfect continuous
  - 4.5 BE GOING TO
  - 4.6 Present simple for fixed future events
  - 4.7 Present continuous for fixed future arrangements
  - 4.8 The difference between WILL, BE GOING TO and the present continuous for future events
  - 4.9 Future time clauses
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 5. Modals
  - 5.1 Types of modals
  - 5.2 Modals to express ability: CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO
  - 5.3 Modals to express advice: SHOULD, OUGHT TO, HAD BETTER
  - 5.4 Modals to express criticism: CAN, COULD, MIGHT, SHOULD
  - 5.5 Modals to express deduction: MUST, CAN'T, COULDN'T
  - 5.6 USED TO
  - 5.7 Modals to express intentions: BE GOING TO, WILL
  - 5.8 Modals to express obligation: MUST, HAVE (GOT) TO
  - 5.9 NEED
  - 5.10 Modals to express obligation: SHOULD, OUGHT TO
  - 5.11 Modals to express offers: CAN, COULD, WILL, SHALL, MAY
  - 5.12 Modals to express permission / prohibition: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, BE ALLOWED TO, MUSTN'T
  - 5.13 Modals to express possibility: MAY, MIGHT, COULD
  - 5.14 Modals to express predictions: BE GOING TO, WILL
  - 5.15 Modals to express requests: CAN, COULD, WILL, WOULD
  - 5.16 Modals to express suggestions: SHOULD, COULD, MIGHT, SHALL
  - 5.17 The modal WOULD to express unreal situations
  - 5.18 Overview of modals
  - 5.19 Modals and adverbs
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 6. Conditionals and unreal tenses
  - 6.1 Unreal tenses
  - 6.2 Conditionals
    - 6.2.1 Zero conditional
    - 6.2.2 First conditional
    - 6.2.3 Second conditional
    - 6.2.4 Third conditional
    - 6.2.5 Mixed conditionals
    - 6.2.6 IF, EVEN IF, ONLY IF, AS LONG AS, PROVIDED, SUPPOSING, UNLESS, IF NECESSARY, IF SO etc.
  - 6.3 WISH / IF ONLY
  - 6.4 IT'S (HIGH) TIME
  - 6.5 AS IF / AS THOUGH
  - 6.6 WOULD RATHER / WOULD SOONER
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 7. Indirect speech
  - 7.1 The difference between direct and indirect speech
  - 7.2 Punctuation in direct speech
  - 7.3 Changes in indirect speech
  - 7.4 Reporting questions
  - 7.5 Reporting statements
  - 7.6 Reporting imperatives
  - 7.7 Reporting verb + THAT-clause
  - 7.8 Reporting verb + THAT-clause with SHOULD + infinitive
  - 7.9 Reporting verb + THAT-clause with the present subjunctive
  - 7.10 Reporting verb + gerund
  - 7.11 Reporting verb + TO-infinitive
  - 7.12 Reporting verb + object + TO-infinitive
  - 7.13 SAY, TELL and ASK
  - 7.14 Impersonal reporting
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
  - Exercise 6
- Progress test 1
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 8. Passive voice and causative structures
  - 8.1 Passive voice
    - 8.1.1 The difference between the active and passive voice
    - 8.1.2 Form: passive voice
    - 8.1.3 Verbs which cannot be used in the passive voice
    - 8.1.4 Ditransitive verbs in the passive voice
    - 8.1.5 The agent with the passive voice
    - 8.1.6 The use of the passive voice
    - 8.1.7 The passive with GET
    - 8.1.8 Passive voice with reporting verbs
  - 8.2 Causative structures
    - 8.2.1 Causative structures without an agent
    - 8.2.2 Causative structures with an agent
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
  - Exercise 6
- 9. Non-finite verb forms
  - 9.1 The difference between finite and non-finite verb forms
  - 9.2 The infinitive
    - 9.2.1 The forms of the infinitive
    - 9.2.2 The "subject" of the infinitive
    - 9.2.3 The TO-infinitive to replace a relative clause
    - 9.2.4 The TO-infinitive after passive reporting verbs
    - 9.2.5 The infinitive after modals
    - 9.2.6 DO, DOES, DID + bare infinitive
    - 9.2.7 SEE, WATCH, HEAR, LISTEN, FEEL, SMELL, NOTICE + object + bare infinitive
    - 9.2.8 APPEAR, HAPPEN, PROVE, SEEM, TEND, TURN OUT + TO-infinitive
    - 9.2.9 HAVE, GET, LET, MAKE + object + infinitive
    - 9.2.10 Verb + TO-infinitive
    - 9.2.11 Verb + object + TO-infinitive
    - 9.2.12 Adjective + TO-infinitive
    - 9.2.13 The infinitive of purpose
    - 9.2.14 The infinitive of result
    - 9.2.15 Question word + TO-infinitive
    - 9.2.16 Introductory infinitive clauses
  - 9.3 The gerund
    - 9.3.1 The forms of the gerund
    - 9.3.2 The "subject" of the gerund
    - 9.3.3 The gerund as subject
    - 9.3.4 The gerund as a subject complement
    - 9.3.5 The gerund as the object of a verb
    - 9.3.6 Verb + gerund
    - 9.3.7 Preposition + gerund
    - 9.3.8 Verb + preposition + gerund
    - 9.3.9 The gerund used in compound nouns
    - 9.3.10 Other expressions followed by the gerund
    - 9.3.11 Verbs followed by the TO-infinitive or gerund with no difference in meaning
    - 9.3.12 Verbs followed by the TO-infinitive or gerund with a difference in meaning
  - 9.4 The participle
    - 9.4.1 The forms of the participle
    - 9.4.2 The "subject" of the participle
    - 9.4.3 The present participle used to form the continuous aspect
    - 9.4.4 The past participle used to form the perfect aspect
    - 9.4.5 The past participle used to form the passive voice
    - 9.4.6 The present and past participles used as adjectives
    - 9.4.7 SEE, WATCH, HEAR, LISTEN, FEEL, SMELL, NOTICE + object + present participle
    - 9.4.8 CATCH, FIND, LEAVE + object + present participle
    - 9.4.9 COME, GO + present participle
    - 9.4.10 SPEND, WASTE + object + present participle
    - 9.4.11 HAVE, GET + object + past participle
    - 9.4.12 Participle clauses
  - 9.5 The difference between the gerund and the present participle
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 10. Relative clauses
  - 10.1 What is a relative clause?
  - 10.2 Defining relative clause
  - 10.3 Non-defining relative clause
  - 10.4 The difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses
  - 10.5 Sentential relative clause
  - 10.6 Relative pronouns: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHICH, THAT
  - 10.7 Relative adverbs: WHERE, WHEN, WHY
  - 10.8 Prepositions in relative clauses
  - 10.9 Non-finite relative clauses
  - 10.10 WHAT and WHATEVER
  - 10.11 Cleft sentences
  - 10.12 Pseudo-cleft sentences
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
  - Exercise 6
- 11. Inversion
  - 11.1 What is inversion?
  - 11.2 Subject-verb inversion
    - 11.2.1 Subject-verb inversion after place adverbials
    - 11.2.2 Subject-verb inversion in direct speech
    - 11.2.3 Subject-verb inversion in news headlines
  - 11.3 Subject-auxiliary inversion
    - 11.3.1 Subject-auxiliary inversion after negative adverbials
    - 11.3.2 Subject-auxiliary inversion in questions
    - 11.3.3 Subject-auxiliary inversion in question tags
    - 11.3.4 Subject-auxiliary inversion in echo tags
    - 11.3.5 Subject-auxiliary inversion with SO and NEITHER/NOR to express agreement
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- 12. Articles and nouns
  - 12.1 Articles
    - 12.1.1 The indefinite article (A, AN)
    - 12.1.2 The definite article (THE)
    - 12.1.3 The zero article (-)
  - 12.2 Countable and uncountable nouns
    - 12.2.1 The difference between countable and uncountable nouns
    - 12.2.2 Nouns with countable and uncountable meanings
    - 12.2.3 Determiners with countable and uncountable nouns (SOME, ANY, NO, MANY, MUCH, FEW, LITTLE etc.)
    - 12.2.4 Partitive expressions with uncountable nouns
    - 12.2.5 Nouns which are always plural
    - 12.2.6 Nouns with a plural form and a singular meaning
    - 12.2.7 Nouns with the same singular and plural forms
    - 12.2.8 Irregular plural forms
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
  - Exercise 6
  - Exercise 7
- Progress test 2
  - Exercise 1
  - Exercise 2
  - Exercise 3
  - Exercise 4
  - Exercise 5
- Appendix
  - Irregular verb forms
  - Spelling rules

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# 12.1.2 The definite article (THE)

The definite article is generally used before a noun which has a clear reference. This means that it is clear who or what we are talking about because:

- the noun represents a unique thing or person in the context:

  > The president has resigned. (there is only one president in the country)
  > The earth is growing warmer and warmer. (there is only one planet Earth)

- the noun has been mentioned before:

  > A man and a woman came in. The man was about 50 years old.

- a phrase or a clause after the noun makes it clear:

  > Do you know the boy talking to Sally?
  > This is the book that I told you about last week.
  > The photo on the left was taken by my father.

## The definite article with a whole class

The definite article is used before a noun when it represents a whole class of things:

> The computer has made text editing easier.
> The polar bear is threatened with extinction.

In less formal styles, the + noun can be replaced by a plural form without an article:

> Computers have made text editing easier.
> Polar bears are threatened with extinction.

The indefinite article is not possible in this sense as it would refer to one or any member of the class but not the class as a whole:

> A polar bear is threatened with extinction.
> A computer has made text editing easier.

Man or mankind can be used to represent the human race and has no article:

> Man will eventually destroy himself.

However, the more gender-neutral term humankind is preferable to man or mankind:

> Humankind will eventually destroy itself.

## The definite article with ordinal numbers, superlative adjectives, ONLY, NEXT, LAST, SAME, RIGHT and WRONG

The definite article is used before ordinal numbers and superlative adjectives:

> This is the first time I've ridden a horse.
> The 20th century has seen the bloodiest wars in the history of humankind.
> Jill is the most intelligent girl in the class.

Most has meanings which do not take the definite article the:

> That was most kind of you. (very kind)
> Most people who lose weight regain it in a very short time. (the majority of people)

The definite article is also used before only, next, last, same, right and wrong + noun:

> You are the only person I can tell.
> When is the next train to Cambridge?
> They have the same surname, but they are not relatives.
> What is the right answer?

## The definite article with adjectives

The definite article can be used before an adjective to refer to all the people described by it. If the + adjective is followed by a verb, it will take a plural form:

> The rich get rich, and the poor stay poor.
> Only the brave are free.

Many adjectives that describe a nationality behave in the same way unless they end in -an:

> The English are famous for being very polite.
> The French eat a lot of cheese.

But:

> Canadians play a lot of hockey.

## The definite article with geographical names

The definite article is used with certain geographical names:

### Countries

Names of countries which are collective, plural or modified by an adjective or an of-construction take the definite article the:

> the Czech Republic
> the Netherlands
> the People's Republic of China
> the Philippines
> the United Kingdom (UK)
> the United States of America (USA)

### Bodies of water

> the Amazon
> the Ganges
> the (English) Channel
> the Panama Canal
> the Atlantic (Ocean)
> the Pacific (Ocean)

### Deserts

> the Gobi (Desert)
> the Kalahari Desert
> the Mojave Desert
> the Patagonian Desert
> the Sahara (Desert)

### Mountain ranges

> the Alps
> the Andes
> the Appalachians
> the Great Dividing Range
> the Himalayas

### Points of the compass

> the North
> the South
> the East
> the West
> the South Pole
> the North Pole
> the south of Italy
> the Far East

But:

> North America
> We were travelling west.

### Some constellations and other heavenly bodies

> the Big Dipper (AmE) / the Plough (BrE)
> the Pleiades
> the Cigar Galaxy
> the Crab Nebula

But:

> Orion
> Cassiopeia

## The definite article with musical instruments and dances

The definite article is used with musical instruments and dances:

> I can't play the piano.
> Can you do the foxtrot?

## The definite article with names of families

The definite article is used with the plural form of the name of a family to refer to all the members of the family:

> The Parkers are coming for dinner tonight.
> Are you trying to keep up with the Joneses?

## The definite article with names of places and institutions

The definite article is used before a place name if it consists of an adjective followed by a noun:

> the National Gallery
> the British Isles
> the British Council
> the Royal Court

The definite article is also used if the name of a place or an institution contains the possessive of-construction:

> the University of Chicago
> the Leaning Tower of Pisa
> the Tower of London
> the Cape of Good Hope
> the Island of Lesbos
> the Isle of Man
> the Gulf of Maine

## The definite article with titles of books, newspapers etc.

The definite article is only used with titles of books, newspapers etc. if it is part of the title itself:

> The Lord of the Rings was written by J. R. R. Tolkien.
> Do you ever read The Times?

## The definite article with unique objects

The definite article is used before a noun which refers to a specific, unique object:

> The moon rises at 7.30 tomorrow.
> The earth revolves around the sun.
> I'd love to live by the sea.
> The captain checked the position of the Northern Star to determine the location of his ship.

Other examples are:

> the sky
> the equator
> the North Pole
> the internet
> the Matrix
> the world

We should bear in mind, however, that there are other suns and moons in the universe, and when we refer to these they might not be considered as unique:

> The planet Mars has two moons.
> Every solar system has a sun.

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