11.1.2

Uses of the Definite Article

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Uses of the Definite Article

Illustrative background for Before a specific nounIllustrative background for Before a specific noun ?? "content

Before a specific noun

  • This is the same use as in English, when the noun is very specific.
    • Londres es la capital de Inglaterra.
      • London is the capital of England.
Illustrative background for When a noun is used in a general senseIllustrative background for When a noun is used in a general sense ?? "content

When a noun is used in a general sense

  • Me gustan las frutas.
    • I like fruit.
Illustrative background for With countries and placesIllustrative background for With countries and places ?? "content

With countries and places

  • In Spanish they tend to omit the article with countries but three must have the definite article.
    • El Reino Unido, Los Países Bajos, El Salvador.
      • The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, El Salvador.
  • Vivo en la Plaza Mayor.
    • I live in the Plaza Mayor.
  • El Océano Indico.
    • The Indian Ocean.
Illustrative background for With times, dates and periodsIllustrative background for With times, dates and periods ?? "content

With times, dates and periods

  • The definite article is used for days of the week and dates.
    • El partido es el miércoles. (The match is on Wednesday).
    • Mi cumpleaños es el 12 de enero. (My birthday is the 12th of January).
  • When you are referring to a time period.
    • El año que viene.(Next year).
  • When talking about the time of day.
    • Son las cinco y media. (It is five thirty).

Jump to other topics

1The Basics

2Everyday Activities

3Personal & Social Life

4The World Around Us

5The World of Work

6The International World

7Listening

7.1Time Expressions - Listening

7.2The Human Body & Health - Listening

7.3Food & Drink - Listening

7.4Travel & Transport - Listening

7.5Self, Family & Friends - Listening

7.6In the Home - Listening

7.7Colours - Listening

7.8Clothes & Accesories - Listening

7.9Leisure Time - Listening

7.10People & Places - Listening

7.11The Environment - Listening

7.12Communications & Technology - Listening

7.13The Built Environment - Listening

7.14Measurements - Listening

7.15Materials - Listening

7.16The World of Work - Listening

7.17Culture, Customs, Faith & Celebrations

8Common Tenses

8.1Present Tense

8.2Preterite Tense

8.3Imperfect Tense

8.4Preterite vs Imperfect Tenses

8.5Future Tense

9Important Verbs

10Advanced Tenses

10.1Future

10.2Conditional

10.3Continuous Tenses

10.4Perfect Tense

10.5Passive

10.6Present Subjunctive

10.7Imperfect Subjunctive

10.8Imperative

11Extra Grammar

11.1Articles

11.2Negatives

11.3Nouns

11.4Asking Questions

11.5Adjectives

11.6Adverbs

11.7Conjunctions

11.8Pronouns

11.9Prepositions

11.10Verbs

11.11Comparisons & Superlative

11.12Numbers, Expressions of Quantity, Dates & Times

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