Definite Articles | Three Special Uses You Should Know

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There are certain uses of a definite article you should know. Firstly, it can be used before adjectives without nouns. Secondly, it can also be used before certain countries. In this case, we have to remember which nationalities use a definite article. In addition, a definite article can also used before nationality adjectives. Check the following explanation and examples.

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1. 1. Definite Articles Before Adjectives

2. 2. Definite Articles Before Certain Countries

3. 3. Definite Article Before Nationality Adjectives

4. Definite Article Exercises

1. Definite Articles Before Adjectives

We use definite article (the) with some adjectives without a noun such as : the rich, the old, the blind, the sick, the disabled, the injured, the poor, the young, the old, the deaf, the dead, the unemployed etc. The meaning is always plural. Let’s see the following examples :

The rich pay more entrance fee than the poor. ( the rich means the rich people in general, the poor means the poor people in general.)
The government should work harder to help the unemployed.
The front seat is only made available for the disabled only.
The young should respect the old.

2. Definite Articles Before Certain Countries

We always use definite article “the” before certain countries. The countries are: the Netherlands, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, the Seychelles, the Solomon Islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Maldives, the Cook Islands, The Bahamas, the Comoros, the Marshall Islands. For more information about definite article before countries here.

3. Definite Article Before Nationality Adjectives

We also use definite article (the) with the nationality adjectives such as the British, the English, the Welsh, the Irish, the Spanish, the French, the Dutch, the Swiss, the Chinese, the Japanese etc. The meaning is the people from the country in general. Let’s see the following examples :

The French are famous for their culinary tourism.
The Dutch reached Indonesia in 1496.

Note : With nationalities other than the ones mentioned above, we have to use a plural ( ending in s ) :

the Russians
the Indonesians
the Italians
the Scots
the Turks

Definite Article Exercises

Exercise I

Complete the sentences with definite article and followed by the correct adjectives.

blind dead injured poor rich sick unemployed

The monetary crisis impact is still felt by ……… now. They cannot afford what they need.
Many people were killed by the tsunami, the bodies of …………. were found all over the town. So, they were buried in the same hole.
The hatred against ………. begins to grow as the people suspect them of corruptions.
………… can use the Braille system to read and write.
As a nurse, Ann, spends most of her time looking after ………..

Exercise II

What do you call the people of these countries ?

England …………..
Britain …………….
Wales ……………..
Russia ………………
Scotland …………..
Spain ……………….
France ……………..
Japan ………………
Germany ……………
China ………………
Arab ……………….
Switzerland ………
America ( US )……
the Netherlands …..
Indonesia …………

Answer

Exercise I

The monetary crisis impact is still felt by the poor now. They cannot afford what they need.
Many people were killed by the tsunami, the bodies of the dead were found all over the town. So, they were buried in the same hole.
The hatred against the rich begins to grow as the people suspect them of corruptions.
The blind can use the Braille system to read and write.
As a nurse, Ann, spends most of her time looking after the sick.