The 4 (the giraffe/the guitar, etc./ the + adjective Flashcards
We can use the (+ singular countable noun) to talk about a specific t___ of something, not about o__ specific thing.
We can use the (+ singular countable noun) to talk about a specific type of something, not about one specific thing.
We saw a giraffe a the zoo; the giraffe is ma favorite animal.
The bicycle is an excellent means of transportation.
I’d like to have a piano but I can’t play the piano.
Note that we use man (= human beings in general, human race) without the:
What do you know about the origins of man? (not the man)
We use the + adj_____ (without a n___) to talk about groups of people.
We use the + adjective (without a noun) to talk about groups of people. (singular, not plural)
(the young / the rich / the old / the bling / the unemployed / the injured, etc.)
Don’t you think the rich should pay higher taxes?
The government has promised to provide more money to help the homeless.
These expressions are always plural in meaning. For example, your cannot say “a young”/. You must say “a young person/ the injured woman”
But we can say “the poor”/”the young” (not the poors/youngs), etc.
False or true? You can use the + nationality ajectives that ends in -ch or -sh (the French / English / Spanish, etc.).
False or true? You can use the + nationality ajectives that ends in -ch or -sh (the French / English / Spanish, etc.).
The French are famous for their food. (= the people of France)
The French / The English are plural in meaning. You do not say “a French / an English”. You have to say “a Frenchman / an Englishwoman”.
False or true? You can use the + nationalities ending in -ese.
False or true? You can use the + nationalities ending in -ese.
The Chinese / the Sudanese / the Japanese, etc.
Note that these words can also be singular: “a Japanese / a Sudanese / a Japanese”. Also a Swiss an the Swiss.
False or true? With other nationalities, the plural noun ends in -s.
False or true? With other nationalities, the plural noun ends in -s.
An Italian vs Italians.
A Mexican vs Mexicans.
A Thai vs Thais.
With these words, we do not normally use the to talk about the people in general.
The or a? When was ___ telephone invented?
The or a? When was the telephone invented?
(specific type of thing, not a specific set)
The or a? Jill plays ___ violin in orchestra.
The or a? Jill plays the violin in orchestra.
(a specific type of instrument,not a specific violin)
The or a? Can you play ___ musical instrument?
The or a? Can you play a musical instrument?
The or a? There was ___ piano in the corner of the room.
The or a? There was a piano in the corner of the room.
(a specific piano, not a type of instrument)
The or a? Our society is based on ___ family.
The or a? Our society is based on the family.
(the + singular countable noun = type of something)
The or a? ___ computer has changed the way we live.
The or a? The computer has changed the way we live.
(the + singular countable noun = type of something)
The youngs/young have the future in their hands.
The young have the future in their hands.
(the + adjective = group of people, pluran in meaning)
She has spent her life caring for the sicks/sick.
She has spent her life caring for the sick.
(the + adjective = group of people, pluran in meaning)
Robin Hood took the money from the richs/rich and gave it to the poors/poor.
Robin Hood took the money from the rich and gave it to the poor.
(the + adjective = group of people, pluran in meaning)
One person (a/an) and the people in general.
Canada: ___ / ____
One person (a/an) and the people in general.
Canada: a Canadian / Canadians
