Presentation for defence the brochure definite article

Definite article “THE” in the English language

By the team “THE”, 6 th grade

Driving questions

In what situations is the definite article «the» used?

Hypothesis

• Whether the product created as a result of the research will have practical value

Aim of the project:

• To develop and present the results of a study of the definite article in the form of a brochure

The origin

Historically the definite Article ( the ) is a demonstrative pronoun.

Functions of the definite article «The»

The main functions of the definite article are:  specifying and generic .

Generic

In its generic function the definite article refers to the whole class of objects of the same kind. It is used to indicate that the noun becomes a composite image of the class.

Examples of Generic function:

The lion  is the king of animals.

The tiger  has always had the reputation of being a man-eater.

The whale  is in danger of becoming extinct.

The rose  is my favourite flour.

Generic function

Note 1. The generic use of the definite article occurs with nouns denoting social classes: the proletariat, the bourgeoisie, the gentry, the intelligentsia.

Note 2.  The use of the definite article before substantivized adjectives in their collective or abstract meaning is also generic : the poor, the strong, the obvious, the beautiful.

Note 3. The definite article is used in its generic function with nouns denoting different inventions and discoveries:

Popov invented  the radio.

Specifying

In this function the definite article serves to single out an object or a group of objects from all the other objects of the same kind.

The specification can be provided by:

a ) a premodifying restrictive attribute. It may be expressed by the following words:  very, right, wrong, left, only, opposite, last, next, same, following, first, most:

Are we on  the right road?

He is  the only man  for this position.

But: She is  an only child  in the family .

b) a postmodifying restrictive attribute . 

I’m convinced Luke is  the man we are looking for.

The woman standing by the window  is my teacher.

The students of our institute  are taking their exams in June.

c) the preceding context

The noun with the definite article may be a mere repetition of the noun mentioned before, or the reference to the words or statement just mentioned:

I saw  a girl  in the garden.  The girl  was crying bitterly.

“ My wife has left me”. Daniel could hardly get  the words  out.

References:

• Кобрина Н.А., Корнеева, Е.А. Грамматика английского языка. Спб.: Дрофа, 2001
• Кутузов Л. Практическая грамматика английского языка. – М.: Вече, 1998
• Лобанова Н.Е. Функционирование артикля в современном английском. – М.: Владос, 2000
• Рейман Е.А. Английский артикль: Коммуникативная функция. - Л.: Наука, 1988
• Смирницкий А.И. Морфология английского языка. - М.: Наука, 1959
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