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All / The – specific

Referring to all vs. a specific, identified one

 

 

 

GENERALIZATION   THE

unspecific and unidentified

  • refers to all
  • uses no article (0 marker)
  • uses no identifying modifiers  (this one, that one, on the right, there)
     

 specific and identified

  • uses adverbs of frequency  (always, often, occasionally, never, etc.)
  • uses simple present tense
  • has the implied meaning "true for most"
     

Salami in generalSalami is very salty.  (non-count noun)

salami - specific oneThe salami on the right is very salty.

crackers in generalCrackers are salty. (count noun)

crackersThe crackers on the right are salty.

classes in generalClasses always fill up quickly.

classes in specificThe classes at my gym always fill up quickly.

people in generalPeople head for the beach in the summer.

people-specificallyThe people in my area head for beach in the summer.

carMost people prefer to drive their own cars.

bicycleMost of the people that I know prefer to bicycle.  

 

 

Language vs. the People
LANGUAGE THE PEOPLE

Use no article before a language.

Use the before the national name of the people.

English spoken here
English is spoken here.
LANGUAGE: Spanish Japanese, Chinese,
Portuguese, Chinese, Swahili, etc.

The English
The English are a proud people.
PEOPLE: The Japanese, The Chinese,
The Portuguese, The Spaniards, etc.

 

See – A - Nationality Names

 

 

 

 

Common Mistakes
ERROR FIX

After sailing for five weeks, Christopher Columbus saw a land.

After sailing for five weeks, Christopher Columbus saw land.  (generic, not specific)

Alice in a Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll   book title

 

 

 

 

 

In Context

Making a Generalization

 

Write a generalization of your own.  About  teens, drivers, texters or Twitterers.   

Example:  Use count nouns in the plural form and noncount nouns in the singular form (no change). 

 

People Are Funny

"People are funny. In cafés, have you ever noticed how people walk up to chairs but don't sit down directly?  They have to move their chairs a little before sitting down.  I've never understood this.  Those chairs may be perfectly placed for people to sit in, but for some reason people have to move chairs anyway. They dislike chairs fixed to the ground. Perhaps, people do it to claim territory.  You wouldn't think that moving a chair an inch would make a difference, but apparently it does."

 cafe people


Funny in this context means peculiar,curious or amusing.

 

 

 

 

 

GrafittiPractice

All in General or a Specfic One?

 

 

 

 

 

The following sentences are all part of one paragraph.  Decide whether an article is needed in each of the sentences below. (Is the writer referring to a specific noun or is the writer making generalizations?)  Select a button.   An asterisk *indicates an incorrect answer.  

 

# FEEDBACK YOUR RESPONSE

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