Podcast 110 - B1 Use of definite article 'the'

Article 'the' and generality

Today I'm going to talk about the use of the definite article 'the'. When do we use it, when do we not use it? Well, there are a lot of rules and that's why I've written some explanations and a few exercises so you can learn all about those rules. However, I'm going to talk about the most common error that many students of English make with the article 'the'. That is, we must omit the article, not use the article, when we talk about things in general and we use plural or some singular nouns and when we talk in general with abstract nouns. This is a B1 level listening podcast but there's a story for you here and it's a love story! So you might want to listen to that! Here we go...

Story starts at 4:24

Flowers article the

If I say I like languages and I mean languages in general, I cannot say 'I like the languages'. I should say,

I like languages.

The reason is that when I say 'the languages' it sounds like I'm talking about some specific languages. For example,

The languages you can learn at my university are French, German and English.

I'm being specific, so I use the definite article 'the'.

That's why, in English, when we're talking in general we talk about: people, whales, food, children, friends, birds, flowers... and we don't put 'the' before those words unless we start to get specific. For example:

I love flowers,

but,

The flowers in my garden look beautiful in Spring!

Some nouns are singular [uncountable nouns, for example] but we don't use the definite article with them when talking in general. For example, words like 'food' and 'life'.

Life is a beautiful journey!

Abstract nouns work in a similar way and, of course, they're not in the plural. Abstract nouns are words like: love, happiness, sadness, poverty, danger, curiosity, intelligence.

Happiness can be difficult to find.

I'm going to tell you a story. In fact, it's mostly dialogue. Dialogue between an English boy and a French girl. Listen to the French girl and note or write down when she uses the direct article 'the' when it should be omitted. If you come over to Practising English, podcast 110, you will be able to see the answers highlighted in the audio script.

Alone on a train

train article the

Simon is sitting alone on a train that is travelling from London to Paris. He puts his suitcase on the luggage rack then sits down on a seat next to the window. After a few minutes, a girl comes along the aisle with a suitcase. She stops and looks at Simon.

Girl: Excuse me. (She points to the seat next to Simon.) Is this seat free?

Simon: Yes, it is.

The girl tries to pick up her case to put it on the luggage rack. Simon stands up.

Simon: Can I help you with that?

Girl: Yes, please. The case is very heavy.

Simon helps the girl. Then they both sit down next to each other.

Girl: Thank you.

Simon: That's all right. Don't mention it.

They both look out of the window. A pause.

Girl: The English countryside is very beautiful!

Simon: Yes, yes. It is, isn't it! There are a lot of flowers out in May.

Girl: The spring is a beautiful time of year! Do you like the flowers?

Simon: Eh, which flowers?

Girl: The flowers in general!

Simon: Oh! Yes. Well. I suppose everybody does, don't they?

Girl: I do. I like the animals too.

Simon: Really? Erm. What sort of animals do you like?

Girl: Well, I'm a veterinary surgeon. I work with many types of animals. I'm, you know, an animal doctor! I go to the farms. I look after the cows when they have medical problems.

Simon: Yes, I understand. That sounds like a very interesting job.

Girl: What do you do?

Simon: Well, I'm a computer analyst. A very different type of work, I'm afraid. I don't have much time to get out into the countryside.

Girl: Where are you going?

Simon: I'm going to Paris. I'm going to a conference about IT systems.

Girl: That's a coincidence. I've just come from a conference in London about the natural medicines for farm animals. It finished the last week but I stayed a few days more to see the sights.

Simon: So I suppose you're going home now. Back to Paris?

Girl: Yes. I live in a village outside Paris. I go back to the work the next week. How long are you staying in Paris for?

Simon: Well, I don't really know. The conference lasts for two days, Friday and Saturday but I don't have to be back to work until next Wednesday. I might stay in Paris to do some sightseeing too. I've never been to Paris before... By the way, what's your name?

Girl: My name is Sophie. And yours?

Simon: Simon.

Sophie: That's Simon in French. What a lovely name!

Simon: Thank you. Sophie is a nice name too... Would you like some vegetable soup. I have some in my backpack. It should be hot.

Sophie: Thank you. I love the vegetable soup. Do you know, I have some cheese sandwiches in my bag. Do you like the cheese?

Simon: Yes, I'd love a sandwich. I'm feeling a bit hungry.

**************

Sophie: I don't like this part of the journey, Simon!

Simon: It's the Chunnel. The tunnel under the sea between England and France.

Sophie: I love the sea but I don't like to be so far under it. I need to see the sun. Will you hold my hand, Simon?

Simon: Yes, of course. Don't worry. It only lasts about thirty minutes and then we'll be in France! La Douce France.

Sophie: You speak French, Simon!

Simon: A little.

Sophie: I love the languages. Do you?

Simon: Yes, I do. I'm not very good at them though. I just speak a little French, that's all.

***************

Simon: You were asleep. Did you sleep well?

Sophie: Yes, I did. Do you know? I dreamt about you!

Simon: Really! I hope it wasn't a nightmare.

Sophie: Au contraire! It was a beautiful dream. We were together. Walking hand in hand in the French countryside. It was funny too. There were cows following us - my patients!

Simon: Definitely better than dreaming about computers!

Sophie: I love the dreams. Don't you, Simon? There is so much meaning in them, don't you think?

Simon: I don't believe I'm holding your hand. I mean, we've only just met, Sophie.

Sophie: The love can happen at any time, Simon. Don't feel bad.

Simon: No. I don't feel bad. I feel happy, I suppose. I'm on a train to Paris holding hands with a beautiful French girl. This is something new for me.

Sophie: When the opportunities arrive, we must take them. The life is too short.

Simon: I agree. I think I've wasted a lot of my life. Always living with machines - computers. Thank you for inviting me to your village, Sophie. It'll be great to stay in the countryside a few days. Lots of fresh air. I feel my life is suddenly going to be a lot happier.

Sophie: It will be, darling. It will be...

********************

As the train slowed down to stop at Paris Gard du Nord railway station, Simon got up from his seat. He took down his suitcase from the luggage rack and put it on the floor. Before he began to walk towards the train door, he looked back at the seat next to him. The seat was empty. There was no one there. Another trip to Paris alone on a train. Another boring conference about computers. Simon thought about that train journey with Sophie so many years ago. What had happened? Why hadn't it worked? Simon said something to himself about cows and computers don't mix. He turned and walked down the train aisle to where the passengers were waiting to disembark.