定冠詞 the 文法整理

加the，還是不加the，那才是問題！

到底要不要加定冠詞the，常讓英文學習者傷透腦筋，這裡列出一些大方向的原則，以及約定俗成的習慣用法供大家參考。

 要加the的情況 

1.      當所指名詞只有一個時

The Pope is visiting Russia.
The moon is very bright tonight.
The Shah of Iran was deposed in 1979.

2.      最高級

He is the tallest boy in the class.
It is the oldest building in the town.

3.      當一個地方或環境之下只有一個時

We live in a small village next to the church.  (the church in our village)
Dad, can I borrow the car?  (the car that belongs to our family)
When we stayed at my grandmother’s house we went to the beach every day.  (the beach near my grandmother’s house)
Look at the boy in the blue shirt over there.  (the boy I am pointing at)

4.      已經提過的事物

A woman who fell 10 metres from High Peak was lifted to safety by a helicopter. The woman fell while climbing.

5.      使用單數名詞泛指某事物時

The wolf is not really a dangerous animal (= Wolves are not really dangerous animals)
The kangaroo is found only in Australia (= Kangaroos are found only in Australia)
The heart pumps blood around the body. (= Hearts pump blood around bodies)

6.      樂器

Joe plays the piano really well.(= George can play any piano)
She is learning the guitar.(= She is learning to play any guitar)

7.      系統或服務

How long does it take on the train.
I heard it on the radio.
You should tell the police.

8.      泛指一群人：the + adj. (rich, poor, elderly, unemployed)

Life can be very hard for the poor.
I think the rich should pay more taxes.
She works for a group to help the disabled.

9.      國名中含有kingdom, states or republic等字時

the United Kingdom; the kingdom of Nepal [niˋpɔl]; the United States; the People’s Republic of China.

10.  國名中有複數名詞

the Netherlands; the Philippines 

11.  地理名詞是the + Adj. + 地理特徵

the Atlantic (Ocean); the Amazon (River); the Panama Canal ; the Alp Mountains = the Alps

12.  報紙

The Times; The Washington Post

13.  著名建築物或藝術品

the Empire State Building; the Taj Mahal; the Mona Lisa

14.  組織

the United Nations; the World Trade Organization

15.  家庭

the Simpsons; the Obamas

 不用the的情況 

1.      泛指某事物時

◆ 使用複數名詞時

Cats make great pets!

Women love it when men send them flowers!

Houses are expensive in that neighbourhood.

People think all Canadians speak English and French, but they’re wrong!

Companies in Canada pay very high taxes.

I love reading books.

◆      使用不可數名詞時
I love listening to music.

She’s afraid of heights, so we couldn’t go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

I love chocolate!

Have you eaten lunch yet?

She’s a vegetarian. She doesn’t eat meat.

2.      專有名詞：

◆ 假日：

I got a beautiful new dress for Christmas.

What are you doing on Valentine’s Day?

I got my mom a movie catalogue for Mother’s Day.

◆      地理名詞：如國家、城市、洲陸、單一的湖或山等
I live in Canada.
Paris is the capital of France.

I’m going to Europe next month on vacation.
If you find yourself in Taiwan, make it a point to see Sun Moon Lake.
Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.

◆      公司、商標
Bill Gates founded Microsoft.
McDonald’s has restaurants in 119 countries.
I use Twitter and Facebook every day.

◆      語言
I am studying Russian.
I speak French.

3.      特定場所、街道

I left my book at home.
I have to go to work early tomorrow.
He was sent to jail for life.
I usually go to church on Sundays.
Good night everyone! I’m going to bed.
Did you go to school today?
When I was in high school, everyone had to study French.
She’s studying business at university.
Abbey Road is located in the north of London.

4.      學校科目

She's always been good at math.
I studied history in college.

5.      運動

I love to go skiing in the winter.
I play football every day after school.
He loves watching hockey on TV.
She tries to do yoga at least 3 times a week.
My daughter really enjoys dancing.

6.      名詞 + 數字

He’s staying at the Hilton hotel in room 221.
The train to Paris leaves from platform 2.
My English class is in room 6 on the first floor.