The use of The before plural countable nouns
a. Referring to something mentioned beforeIn general,
the has the same meaning when used with plural countable nouns as when used with singular countable nouns. For instance,
the is used with plural countable nouns when referring to something which has been mentioned before.
e.g. Fallen
leaves covered the ground.
The leaves rustled as we walked.
In the orchard were
apples and pears.
The apples were nearly ripe.
The doors opened, and
students and teachers began leaving the building.
The students were talking and laughing.
In these examples, the first time the words
leaves,
apples and
students appear, they are not preceded by determiners, because the things referred to have not been mentioned previously. The second time the words
leaves,
apples and
students appear, they are preceded by
the, since the things referred to have already been mentioned.
b. Referring to something when it is considered obvious what is meantThe is used with plural countable nouns when the speaker or writer considers it obvious which particular persons or things are meant.
e.g.
The stars are shining brightly.
The roses are blooming.
We have put
the children to bed.
I was sitting on
the front steps.
These sentences give examples of the use of
the to refer to things which are particularly important to the speaker or writer. The expression
the stars usually refers to the stars which can be seen from the part of the earth where one lives. The expression
the roses might refer to roses in one's own garden, or to roses in which one feels a particular interest.
The children might refer to one's own children or to children for whom one is responsible.
The front steps might refer to the front steps of one's own house.
c. Names of nationalitiesThe is sometimes used with the name of a nationality in order to make a general statement about the people of that nationality. A plural verb must be used in such a statement.
When the name of a nationality ends in the sound of
ch,
s,
sh or
z, the name of the nationality must usually be preceded by
the.
Nationality | Example |
French | The French are famous for their fine wines. |
Irish | The Irish are known as poets and songwriters. |
When the name of a nationality does not end in the sound of
ch,
s,
sh or
z, the letter
s must be added to the end of the name when it is used in a general statement. Names of nationalities to which
s has been added are often used without being preceded by
the.
Nationality | Example |
Argentinian | Argentinians like to eat beef. |
Canadian | Canadians have a tradition of playing hockey. |
d. Adjectives referring to classes of peopleAdjectives such as
rich and
poor can be used with
the in order to refer to a group of people as a class. A plural verb must be used.
e.g.
The blind attend special schools.
The poor do not own their own homes.
The rich often married for money.
In the above examples,
the blind has the meaning of
blind people,
the poor has the meaning of
poor people, and
the rich has the meaning of
rich people.
The following table summarizes the most important uses of the determiners
a,
an, and
the with singular and plural countable nouns.
The absence of a determiner and the use of A, An and The before countable nounsUse | Singular Countable Nouns | Plural Countable Nouns |
A weakened form of One | a/an | |
Naming a profession | a/an | no determiner |
Making a general statement | a/an | no determiner |
Something not mentioned before | a/an | no determiner |
Something referred to as a class | the | |
Something mentioned before | the | the |
When it is obvious what is meant | the | the |
Nationalities ending in ch, se, sh | | the |
Adjectives referring to classes of people | | the |
3. The use of The with proper nounsa. Names of peopleIn English, names of people in the singular are not usually preceded by a determiner.
e.g.
Washington was the first president of the United States.
Jack and
Eleanor saw the movie.
Determiners are also usually not used when a title precedes a person's name.
Doctor Defoe has a good reputation.
Mr. Carpenter is a friend of ours.
In these examples, the titles
Doctor and
Mr. are not preceded by determiners.
However, names of people in the plural are usually preceded by
the.
e.g.
The Smiths live in that house.
I have known
the Harrisons for years.
b. Names of placesIn English,
the is usually used before the following types of place name:
Type of Place Name canal
desert
ocean
river
sea
plural place names
place names containing the word
ofThe following are examples of names of canals, deserts, oceans, rivers, and seas:
e.g. the Panama Canal
the Mojave Desert
the Atlantic Ocean
the St. Lawrence River
the Beaufort Sea
The following are examples of plural place names:
e.g. the United States
the British Isles
the Great Lakes
the Rocky Mountains
The following are examples of place names containing the word
of:
e.g. the Gulf of Mexico
the Cape of Good Hope
the Bay of Biscay
the Isle of Wight
Other types of place name are usually
not preceded by determiners. For instance, determiners are usually not used before the following types of place name:
Type of Place Name | Example |
lake | Lake Superior |
island | Manhattan Island |
mountain | Mount Rainier |
park | Yosemite National Park |
city | Boston |
street | Main Street |
country | Canada |
state | Kansas |
province | Nova Scotia |
county | Halifax County |