THE ARTICLE


 

Here you can find a detailed informatiom about articles in English. Though the information is for intermediate students, we have something in Russian as well. You are  able  to  apply  your knowledge  in exercises  and  check  youself   doing  tests  given. The list of used literature  and  internet  resourses  is  enclosed.   Have a good  and useful time!

1.     THEORY

general  notion.

use of articles with common nouns

use of articles with  abstract nouns

use of articles with material nouns

use of articles with proper nouns

use of  articles  in set  expressions

артикль  в английском языке 

2   EXERCISES

3   TESTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL NOTION.


    The article is a structural part of speech used with nouns.

There are two articles in Modern English: the indefinite article and the definite article.

·        The indefinite article has the forms a and an. The form a is used before words beginning with a consonant sound (a coat, a skirt, a doctor). The form an is used before words beginning with a vowel sound (an order, an ant, an hour).

·        The indefinite article has developed from the Old English numeral an (one), and as a result of its origin it is used only with nouns in the singular.

·        The use of the indefinite article implies that the object is presented as belonging to a class

 

·        The definite article has one graphic form the, which is pronounced in two ways: [ ðì ] before a vowel sound [ðì 'аер1 ] and [ðə] before a consonant sound [ðə kǽt].

·        The definite article has developed from the Old English demonstrative pronoun se and in some cases it has preserved this demonstrative meaning in Modern English

·        The use of the definite article shows that a particular object is meant.

  The absence of articles with class nouns in the plural, with abstract nouns and nouns of material has grammatical significance: it shows that the nouns are used in a general sense.

Note:  With nouns in the plural some is often used. Some, as well as the absence of articles with class nouns in the plural, is the equivalent of the indefinite article in the singular. Some is used when the speaker wants to emphasize the idea of number. Some is also used with nouns of material if the idea of quantity is implied. Some has the meaning of 'several1 with class nouns and 'a little' with nouns of material. Some is hardly ever translated into Russian.

 

USE OF ARTICLES WITH COMMON NOUNS

CLASS   NOUNS

 Class nouns are used with the indefinite article:

 

1.      When the speaker presents the object expressed by the noun as belonging to a certain class. 

In this case the indefinite article has the meaning of 'какой-нибудь, какой-то, один   (in the meaning of 'некий').
She has a watch of her own.  Close beside them grew a rose-bush   covered   with scarlet   hips.
Note:In the plural no article is used  in   this  case.   If   the   idea of number is implied the noun is preceded by the pronoun some.
I liked the room because there were flowers in it. "I have brought you some flowers..."  "I hate to wear flowers."

 

2.     With a predicative noun, when the speaker states that the object denoted by the noun belongs to a certain class.

Miss Sharp's father was an artist. "Is your   brother   an   agreeable   man, Peggotty?" -  "Oh, what an agreeable man he is!"  She works as a chemist. 
In the plural neither the article nor the pronoun some is used.
They are good children, no doubt. they were business men when I was in the  nursery."  
Note : After the conjunction as a predicative noun is often used without an article. She was engaged as governess.


3. When the noun is used in a general sense. What is said of one representative of a class can be applied to all the representatives of the class. The article has the meaning of 'every'.
A drowning man catches at a straw.
In the plural neither the article nor the pronoun some is used. Real friends should have everything in common. (Wilde)

 

4. There are cases when the indefinite article preserves its old original meaning of 'one'. This meaning is generally found with nouns denoting time, measure and weight, the  numerals  hundred,   thousand,   million  and  the  nouns dozen, score.
 He had hardly spoken a word since they left Riccardo's door ...
A week or two passed.
He seems to have half a   dozen   languages   at   his   finger-tips.  

 

Class nouns are used with the definite article:

 

1.     When the noun denotes an object or objects which the speaker singles out from all the objects of a given class. An object is singled out in the following cases:

 

(a) when the speaker and the hearer know what particular object is meant. No special indication is necessary.
How did you like the play? I have got the magazine.
 
(b) when the speaker uses an attribute pointing out a particular object

 This is the house that Jack built.


(c) when the situation itself makes the object definite.

The wedding looked dismal. The bride was too old and the bridegroom was too young.

 

 
2. When the noun denotes a thing unique (the sun, the moon,the universe) or a class.The sun was getting warmer.The bourgeoisie is cowardly.
Note: The indefinite article can be used when we mean a certain aspect in which the sun, moon and sky appear to us, a certain state of the sun, the moon, the sky. In this case an attribute is used. A pearl-white moon smiles through the green trees.


3. With nouns used in a generic sense. A noun used in a generic sense denotes a genus taken as a whole, a thing taken as a type, a genre.
The tiger has always had the   reputation   of   being   a   man-eater. The telephone was invented in the 19th century. The tragedy and the comedy first appeared in Greece.
Note: When the noun man is used in a generic sense no article is used. Silas felt that his trust in man had been cruelly destroyed.
 A   noun   used   in  a   general   sense denotes an object regarded as an individual representative of a class,
A detective story helps to while away the time. (Every or any detective story is meant here.)
A noun in a generic sense denotes the whole class.
Conan Doyle is a master of the detective story. (The detective story is regarded here as a certain genre.)

 

4. The definite article is used with nouns:
(1) modified by adjectives   in   the superlative degree
. Miss Tox had the softest voice that   ever   was   heard.
(
2) in word-groups some, many, none, most + noun with   the  preposition of. Most of the gentlemen looked both angry and uncomfortable.
(3)  modified by same, wrong (не тот), right  (тот), very  (именно  тот, тот  самый).  
"
Ah! Mr. Burton!" exclaimed the Director, "the very person 1 wanted." «... именно тот (как раз тот) человек, который мне нужен».

       (4) with substantivized adjectives and participles. The listeners   noted something   

         beyond   the  usual   in   his   voice.

 

The use of articles with class nouns modified by attributes.

The indefinite article

The definite article

 

 

·        is used  with a  descriptive attribute which describes an object or  give some additional information about it

In   a   fortnight   I got   a  long  letter, which  I considered   odd.
  
The post on her left was occupied by Mr. Erskine, an old gentleman of considerable charm and culture

 

·        is used when a noun is modified by an attribute which shows that a particular object is meant. This attribute might be called a particularizing attribute and it is used to single out an object from all the objects of the class, to point out one particular object or group of objects.

·        The use of a particularizing attribute implies the idea of 'тот, который'; 'именно тот, этот.

·        A particularizing attribute can be expressed by an of-phrase or an attributive clause. It is always used in post-position.
He knocked at the door of a very neat house. (Marryat)
The letters that I have here have come to me quite by accident.



 

 NOUNS OF MATERIAL

1.     No article is used with nouns of material in a general sense.
On   hearing what had happened, she (Katie) ran for warm water.

2.      When a definite part of the substance is meant (when the noun is modified by a particularizing attribute or is made definite by the situation), the definite article is used.
Pettinger gulped down a glass of the sherry which CorneJius had finally brought. The meat was good and White Fang was hungry.

3.     When an indefinite part of the substance is meant, some is used.
We took   some   bread   and cheese with us, and got some goat's milk up there on the pasture.

ABSTRACT NOUNS

1.     When abstract nouns are used in a general sense, no article is used.
While there is life there is hope.

2.      When abstract nouns are modified by a particularizing attribute or when the situation makes the idea definite, they are used with the definite article.
 
Last night I heard Carmen and enjoyed the music.

Note I. — It should be borne in mind that abstract nouns modified bv an attribute in ргеposition are used without articles unless they are modified by particularizing attributes: Engish literature, Russian art, Soviet music.
Note 2. — The abstract noun weather is never used wilh the indefinite article. What fine weather! It is burning weather.
Note 3. — With countable abstract nouns the use   of   the   articles is the  same as with class nouns.
It is a capital idea if only one could carry it out.

 

 

 

USE OF ARTICLES WITH PROPER NOUNS

Names of persons.

·        Names of persons are used without articles Sarie looked at Lanny and Celia.

·        Names denoting the whole family are used with the definite article.
The Dashwoods were now settled at Berton.

·        When   names of persons are used to denote a representative of a family, the indefinite article is used.
"Florence will never, never, never be a Dombey," said Mrs. Chick

·         Names of persons modified by a particularizing attribute are used with the definite article.
You're not the Andrew Manson I married.

·         Names   of   persons   used   as  common  nouns take the article according to the general rule on the use of articles.
Swithin smiled and nodding at Bosinney said, "Why, you are quite a Monte Cristo."

·        Nouns denoting military ranks and titles such as academician, professor, doctor   (both a profession and a title), count,  lord, etc.followed by names of persons do not take the article. In such cases only   the   proper   noun   is   stressed:   Colonel' Brown,   Doctor' Strong.
Common nouns denoting professions followed by names of persons are used with the definite article. In this case both nouns are stressed.
The painter Gainsborough has left many fine pictures.

·        Nouns expressing relationship followed by names of persons do not take the article: Aunt Polly, Uncle James.
She turned to Cousin Clixam.

·        The   use of   articles with names of persons modified by adjectives is varied.
In most cases no article is used with names of persons modified by the adjectives old, young, poor, dear, little, honest, lazy.
...
she is the widow of poor Giovanni Bella ...  He   saw   that   old   Chapin   wanted   to moralize a little.
When modified by other adjectives and participles names of persons take the definite article. 
The astonished Tom could not say a word.
 Names of persons modified by the adjective certain are usedwith the indefinite article. I heard it from a certain Mr. Brown.

 

 

 

 



 Geographical names.

 

No article

The

A/an

1.     Geographical names

(continents, countries, states,  towns):England, France, Moscow, London and names modified by an attribute in preposition: Soviet Russia, North America, Latin America, Cenlral Asia.

2.     Names of lakes  do

not take the article if the word lake is used: Lake Ontario

   3. With names of mountain peaks: Elbrus, Everest.

   4. With   names of single islands: Madagascar.

    5. Names of streets and squares: Oxford StreetWalls street, Trafalgar square.
There are a few exceptions:  the High Street, the Strand.

     6. town + building: Oxford University, York airport

      7. In the expressions from East to West, from North to South.

      8. Names of months and days without  particularizing (the) or descriptive (a) adjective: in June, on Monday

 
 

 

  1. The word groups

the Soviet Union, the United States

  1. Geographical  

names modified by a particularizing attribute.

The Philadelphia into which he was born was a city of 250000 and more.

  1. With names of

oceans, seas, rivers the   Pacific  Ocean (the   Pacific),   (he  Black  Sea),  the Thames.

  1. Names of

lakes without word lake:  the Ontario.

    5. With names of mountain: the Urals, the Alps.

    6. With names of groups of islands: the Hebrides, the Bermudas.

7. The names of the following countries, towns and provinces: the  Hague,  the  Netherlands,  theWest   Indies,   the   Ruhr,   the   Riviera,   the   Crimea,   the   Ukraine,the  Caucasus,   the Congo, The  Lebanon

8. Names of hotels, ships, cinemas, theatres, newspapers and magazines.

9. With the names of cardinal points: the North, the South, the West, the East.
 10. Names of months and days with particularizing adjective: The May of 1949 will always rest in my memory.

 

  1. Names of months

and days

·                                             with a descriptive

adjective: A cold May is the usual thing in Leningrad

·                                             when we mean one of

many Mondays, Fridays.  I do not remember exactly when he came from Moscow, but I am sure it was on a Monday
 

 

Note: If a noun   is   modified   by a proper   noun in the genitive case no article is used. I met Robert's father.

The noun modified by a proper noun in the common case is used with the definite article. Last summer I visited the Tretyakov Gallery. 

USE OF ARTICLES WITH NOUNS IN SOME SET EXPRESSIONS

A/An

The

No article

·         in a hurryвторопях

·         to   have   a   mind to do something   (a   great   mind, a good mind) — иметь   желание   что-либо сделать

·         to fly into a passion прийтив бешенство

·        to get in a fury (in a rage)-—прийти в ярость

·        to take a fancy toпроникнуться   симпатией.

·        in   a   low (loud) voice -тихо  (громко)

·         a    great   many   (with   countables)много

·        a   great   deal (with   uncotintables)много

·        it is a pityжаль

·         it is a shameстыдно

·         it is a pleasureприятно

·        as a resultв результате. to have a good timeхорошопровести  время

·         to  be at a lossбыть в недоумении

·         at a glance—сразу, с первоговзгляда

·         

·         it is out of the questionоб этом   не  может   быть и речи

·        to    take   the   trouble   to   do somethingпотрудиться

·        in   the originalв оригинале

·         to  play the piano (the violin,-the   harp) — играть  на   рояле(скрипке, арфе)

·         to keep the house сидеть дома

·        to   keep the bed — соблюдать постельный режим

·         on the wholeв целом

·         the other day  (refers  to  the past) на днях

·         on the one hand…, on the other and с  одной   стороны, с другой

·        to tell (to speak) the truth —говорить   правду  to tell   the truth по правде говоря

·        to   be  on the safe side для верности

 

·        out   of   doorsвне дома

·        to  take to heartпринимать'близко к сердцу

·         to take offenceобижаться

·        to   give (to get, to ask) permissionдать (получить, просить) разрешение

·         to lose  heart — терять мужество, приходить в уныние

·  at present — в настоящее время

·         from   morning   till   night с утра до вечера

·         from head to footс головы до ног

·        from beginning to endсначала до конца

·         at    first     sight — с    первого взгляда

·         by chanceслучайн

·         by mistakeпо ошибке

·         for hoursчасами

·        for ages—целую вечность

·        by   land, by air, by sea сушей, по воздуху, морем

·         to go to sea стать моряком

·         on deck — на палубе

·        to keep house — вести хозяйство

·         at sunrise—на рассвете

·        at sunset на закате

·         at work за работой

·         at peace в мире

·         by name по имени

·         in debt в долгу

 


 
USE OF ARTICLES IN SOME SYNTACTIC RELATIONS

·   The use of articles with predicative nouns.
A predicative noun is used with the indefinite article if the speaker states that the object denoted by the noun belongs to a certain class.
If a predicative noun is modified by a particularizing attribute, the definite article is used.
He is the student you wanted to speak to.
If a predicative noun denotes a post which can be occupied by one person at a time, either no atricle or the definite article is used.
 
Professor N. is the dean of our faculty.
No article is used with predicative pouns after the verbs to turn, to commence, to appoint, to elect.  Shakespeare commenced actor.
(Шекспир   начинал как актер). They appointed him head-teacher. ( Его назначили старшим преподавателем)
A predicative noun sometimes has an adjectival character, especially when it is followed by the adverb enough. In this case no article is used. Surely Bolla isn't fool enough to believe that sort of stuff? The nouns son and daughter used predicatively take article the when  modified by an o/-phrase, though there may several sons and daughters in the family.Lomonosov was the son of a fisherman. Becky Sharp was the daughter of an artist.

·   The use of articles with nouns in apposition.
Nouns in apposition and nouns forming part of an apposition are used:

1.      with the indefinite article if the speaker states that the object expressed by the noun in apposition belongs to a certain class. I want to introduce you to Comrade B,, a great friend of mine.
In the plural no article is used. I want to introduce you to Comrades B, and D., great friends of mine.

2.       with the definite article if they are modified by a particularizing attribute. Comrade В., the student you have mentioned, has come.

If the noun denotes a well-known person or work of art the definite article is generally used. Pushkin, the great Russian poet, died in 1837. Hamlet, the immortal tragedy by Shakespeare, was written in the first years of the 17th century.
But if the person or the work of art is not widely known the indefinite article is used. Pericles, a comedy by Shakespeare, is hardly ever staged.
Class nouns used in address take no article. Come downstairs, child.

PLACE OF THE ARTICLE.

The usual place of the article is before the noun if it is not modified by an attribute; if the noun is modified by an attribute, the article is placed before the latter.

However, there are cases when the article follows the attribute.
1. The definite article follows the attribute expressed by the pronouns
both, all. Both the stories were interesting. All the stories were Interesting.
2. The indefinite article follows the attribute expressed by an adjective after so, too, as.  It was as black a house inside as outside.

3. The   indefinite   article   follows   quite,   such,   what (what in exclamatory sentences). She is quite a child. I've never heard of such a thing. What a wonderful piece of luck!

4. The indefinite article either precedes or follows rather.This enquiry envolved   the respected   lady   in   rather a   delicate
position. They stop and interchange a rather heated look

WAYS OF EXPRESSING THE MEANING OF THE ENGLISH ARTICLES IN RUSSIAN


The meaning of the English article may sometimes be expressed in Russian by means of:
(a) cases
Pour the water into the glass.      Налейте воду в стакан. -- Pour some water into the glass.    Налейте воды в стакан.
(b) word order.
A woman came up to me and asked what time it was. Ко мне подошла женщина и спросила, который час. The woman has come. Женщина пришла.
(c) the   words   един,   какой-то,   какой-нибудь   (the   indefinite article), этот, тот самый (the definite article).
A man is waiting for you downstairs.
Вас внизу ждет какой-то человек.
Do you know Nina? Yes, I do.  I like the girl immensely.
Вы знаете Нину? Знаю. Мне очень нраиигся эта девушка.

SPECIAL   DIFFICULTIES   IN THE   USE   OF   ARTICLES

·         nouns day, night, morning, evening.

WITHOUT  ARTICLE

A/AN

THE

·                    if   day and   morning = 'light';  night   and evening= 'darkness' an   night   and eveningmean 'darkness' Day is meant for work, night for sleep.

·                    day, at night, from morning till night.It is easier to work by day than at night.

·                    the nouns morning and evening are modified by the adjectives early and late. It was early   morning.

 

·  the noun is modified by

a descriptive attribute.
I spent a sleepless night.

·                    the nouns are modified by a particularizing attribute or when the situation makes them definite.
He will never forget the day when he met her.

·                    in the morning

·                    in the afternoon

·                    in the evening.

·        names of seasons.
1)  without articles if they show a certain time of the year ( It was spring. I like spring) and modified with early and late
2) with  definite article -  modified by a particularizing attribute or when the situation makes them definite. It happened in the spring of 1930. The spring was cold and rainy.

·        3) the indefinite article is used when these nouns are modified by a descriptive attribute. It was a cold spring.

·          school, college, bed, prison, Jail, church, town, university

1)        When these nouns denote concrete objects the articles are used according to the general   principle. The school was large and light. A new hospital was built last year.  I live in a small town.

2)        When they lose their concrete meaning and express the purpose for which the objects denoted by these nouns serve, no article  is used.
     school -
учеба                                 I go to School №4.

          hospital - лечение                           She was taken to hospital.

          bed - сон или болезнь                    It's time for you to go to bed.

          prison - заключение                        He was sent to prison.

          church - вера/молиться                   She is very religious and goes to church.

          town - городская местность            I'll go to town tomorrow.

·        The names of meals

·        Names of meals are used without articles. When did you have dinner? Is dinner ready?

·        The definite article is used when the nouns are modified by a particularizing attribute or when the situation makes them definite.
The dinner we had today was very substantial.

·        The indefinite article is used if the name of a meal is modif'ied by a descriptive attribute. After a hearty breakfast the four gentlemen sallied forth to walk to Gravesend

·        The names of languages.
Names of languages when they are not followed by the noun language are used without articles: She knows English (but she knows the English language).

Note the peculiar use of the definite article in: (!) It is a translation from the English (the French etc.), (2) What is the English (the French etc.) for 'сосна'?
The definite article is used if the noun is modified by a particularizing attribute: The English of America differs from the English of England.

USE OF ARTICLES WITH NOUNS MODIFIED BY CERTAIN ADJECTIVES, PRONOUNS AND NUMERALS


Most.

(a) Most-+ adjective.
The definite article is used when most serves to form the superlative degree of an adjective(denoting  comparison and
a high degree of a quality).
This is the most interesting chapter in the book.
When most has the same meaning as very, exceedingly the indefinite article is used
Caroline found   that   the   old   maid   had   been a most   devoted daughter and sister.
 (b) Most +
оf +noun.
When definite people or   things are meant   the   noun is used with the definite article and most is followed by the preposition of.
Most of the flowers in the garden were   planted   by   the schoolchildren.


 
Few, a few, the few; little, a little, the little


Few means 'мало', it has a negative meaning.
A few means '
несколько’, it has a positive meaning.
The few means '
те немногие (которые)'.

 

Little means 'мало', it has a negative meaning.
A little means '
некоторое количество', it has a positive meaning. The little means 'то небольшое количество (которое).

 



 
Two, the two; three, the three, etc.


Two means 'два'.
The two means '
оба, те два'.

 
 The second, a second.

The second is an ordinal numeral meaning 'второй
 A second means 'another, one more time.


 
Another, the other.

The pronoun another has two meanings:

(a) 'какой-либо другой'. Give me another pen, I don't like this one.

(b) 'еще один'. I am thirsty; 1 should like another cup of tea.
The other means '
определенный другой1. There are two books here, take one and I'll  take the other.


 Last, the fast.

Nouns modified by the adjective last are always used with the definite article except in theexpressions last month, last year, last week, last summer (winter, autumn, spring). The last word remained with George. Last summer, in Switzerland, lie was quite well.

 Next, the next.


Next means   'будущий'   when referring   to   time: next   month, next week.
The next   means   '
следующий': the next room,   at the next lesson.
Next time means '
в следующий раз'. We shall discuss this matter next time.


  A number, the number.


A number   of   means   'many'.   It   is   rendered   in   Russian by много, ряд. His father and a number of his cronies were in the dining-room.

The number means 'число, количество'.
 
The number of mistakes he makes is startling.


OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE

·         The article is often omitted in newspaper headings, telegrams, in stage directions.
Gas Blast Kills Woman. (Daily  Worker) Girl Gymnast Keeps Title. (Moscow News)

·        The article is often omitted with homogeneous members closely connected with each other and joined by the conjunction and. In most cases they go in pairs.
The breakfast was taken   away,   and   that   meal   over,   it was the general custom of uncle and niece to separate.

 

Артикль в английском языке

Артикль — это служебное слово, поясняющее существительное, как бы ярлычок, прикрепляемый к каждому существительному, чтобы легче было с ними разобраться. На русский язык артикль часто не переводится, поскольку в русском языке артикля нет. Тем не менее, артикль имеет свое значение, понятное говорящим на английском языке.

Каждое существительное (кроме имен) обязано иметь артикль, и только один.

Виды артиклей

  •   — нулевой артикль (пустое место) — какие-то (перед множественным числом)
  • a — неопределённый, или классифицирующий артикль (an перед гласными звуками) — один (из многих ему подобных), какой-то, некий. Употребляется только с исчисляемыми существительными в единственном числе (sg). Перед множественным числом или неисчисляемым существительным употребляется либо нулевой артикль, либо some
  • some — неопределённый артикль для тех случаев, где а нельзя употребить — какой-то, некоторый; несколько, некоторое количество, некоторые
  • anyлюбой (в утвердительных предложениях); какой-нибудь (в отрицательных)
  • noотрицательный артикльникакой, не
  • each, everyобобщающий артиклькаждый
  • the — определенный или конкретизирующий артикльэтот (эти), тот самый (те самые), известный(е) (который ни с чем не спутаете, единственный в своем роде)
  • my, your, her, his, its; our, your, theirпритяжательные артиклимой, твой, её, его, его (ср.род); наш, ваш, их (соответственно)
  • this sg / these pl; that sg / those plуказательные артиклиэтот, эта, это / эти; тот, та, то / те (соответственно)
  • one, two, three… — числительные артикли (только с исчисляемыми существительными во множественном числе) — один, два, три
  • next, lastпорядковые артиклиследующий, прошлый
  • many / much; few / littleколичественные артикли (об исчисляемых / неисчисляемых понятиях соответственно) — много, многие; мало (соответственно)
  • what, which, whoseвопросительные артикликакой, который, чей (соответственно)
  • Mr., Mrs./Ms. — при официальном обращении или упоминании фамилии с или без имени — господин, госпожа (соответственно)

ПРИМЕЧАНИЕ. Некоторые артикли могут также быть местоимениями или союзами и употребляться самостоятельно.

Артикль не употребляется

·     если перед существительным уже стоит один из вышеперечисленных артиклей

·     в том случае, если перед существительным стоит имя или другое существительное в притяжательном падеже (с окончанием 's), играющее роль притяжательного артикля

·     перед именами собственными (кроме официального обращения с упоминанием фамилии, например Mr. Jim Simpson), а также существительными в роли обращения

·     перед существительными, за которыми следует номер в количественной форме, например текст один, комната шесть и т.п.

·     в заголовках, например Heat rise clue to shuttle disaster, рекламных текстах, вывесках, указателях и на табличках, инструкциях по пользованию лифтом, таксофоном и т.п. (собственно говоря, там также опускаются глаголы-связки и некоторые другие несущественные слова), а также в некоторых устойчивых выражениях

·      

Определённый артикль

Это больная тема. Скажу честно, порой я сам оказываюсь в затруднении, ставить артикль или нет. Логики тут мало. Для того чтобы облегчить своим ученикам жизнь, я составил таблицу ниже, ориентируясь, как всегда, прежде всего на американский вариант английского. Однако в ней рассматриваются многочисленные исключения, а вот общее правило выглядит примерно так…

В школе для новых русских преподают английский. Учитель: — Слушайте, пацаны, если нет артикля, то это переводится как «типа», если есть определённый артикль, то это переводится как «конкретно»!

Шутка конечно, но, как известно, в каждой шутке есть немного шутки… А если серьёзно, то определённый артикль, который иначе также можно назвать «конкретным» (уже без шуток), употребляется с теми понятиями, которые хорошо известны говорящим (например, упоминались ранее или общеизвестны) и не употребляется в случаях, когда предмет или понятие называется как часть множества ему подобных. В таких случаях употребляется неопределённый артикль, который уместнее было бы назвать «классифицирующим». Например, солнце, луна, земля, пол, стол (за которым сидите), будут иметь конкретный артикль. Если «В порт прибыл пароход» или «Это большой красивый пароход», то артикль будет классифицирующий («Слышите, пацаны, там в порт типа пароход какой-то зашёл»; «Это вот, типа, такой клёвый пароход»). Но в вопросе «Пароход уже прибыл?» речь идёт о данном пароходе и артикль конкретизирующий («Пароход конкретно прибыл, в натуре, пацаны»). Вот ещё примеры:

I saw a movie last night. The movie was about Russia. — Я видел (какой-то) фильм вчера вечером. (Этот) фильм был про Россию.
Close the door, please — Закрой дверь (имеется в виду дверь комнаты, в которой находятся говорящий и слушающий)

К слову, насколько неверная терминология может сбить людей с толку, настолько правильная может научить! Я не знаю, чем думали филологи, называя, например, простое прошедшее время «неопределённым» (хотя как раз это время применяется для действий, которые произошли в определённый момент времени в прошлом!), но уж придумать для артиклей правильные названия большого ума-то не надо… Но вы теперь конкретно знаете общее правило для the, так что можно переходить к частностям. Итак,

определенный артикль употребляется

определенный артикль не употребляется

фамилия во множественном числе, когда требуется назвать всех членов одной семьи
the Browns, the Petrovs

имена (в т.ч. названия городов и стран)
John, Mary, Julianna, Irina, Moscow, Odessa, Ukraine*, America (но: the Hague — искл.)

нации, национальности, этнические группы как целое
the Americans, the Japanese, the Indians

 

языки (только со словом language)
the English language, the Russian language

языки (одно словобез language)
English, French, Russian, Thai, Swahili

названия государств, содержащие слово республика, союз, королевство и т.п.
the United States [of America], the United Kingdom [of Great Britain and Northern Ireland], the South African Republic, the Soviet Union, the German Federal Republic, the People’s Republic of China

страны в единственном числе, название которых воспринимается как имя (обычно состоит из 1 слова), в том числе названия отдельных штатов
England, France, China, Ukraine, Germany, Georgia, Utah, Arkansas, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, South Africa (
но: the Crimeaискл.)

страны и другие географические названия во множественном числе
the Netherlands, the United States, the Philippines, the Canary Islands, the Urals, the Great Lakes

океаны, моря, заливы, проливы, реки, группы озер, архипелаги, горные цепи, пустыни
the Arctic, the Black Sea, the Persian Gulf, the British Channel, the Danube, the Great Lakes, the Bahamas, the Caucasus, the Sahara Desert

отдельные озера, водопады, горы
[Lake] Baikal, Victoria Falls, [Mount] Vesuvius, Montblanc, Everest, Elbrus

стороны света
the South, the North, the West, the Middle East

континенты
Europe, North America, East Asia, South Africa

земля, небо, луна, солнце
the earth, the sky, the moon, the sun

планеты, звезды, созвездия
Jupiter, Mars, Cancer

исторические документы
the Magna Carta (Великая Хартия Вольностей)

заголовки статей
Heat Rise Clue To Shuttle Disaster

войны (кроме мировых с количественным числительным)
the Crimean War, the Second World War

мировые войны с количественным числительным
World War One (WWI), World War Two

учебные заведения — если название начинается со слова школа и т.п.
the State University of Odessa

учебные заведения — если название начинается с имени собственного
Odessa State University, Stolyarskiy School

названия судов
the Titanic

 

театры, гостиницы, рестораны, пабы, музеи, галереи, газеты
the Hilton Hotel, the Morning Star, the New York Times

улицы, площади, парки, станции метро, аэропорты
Main Street, Central Park, Heathrow Airport, Kennedy Airport, Red Square

порядковые числительные, тж. слова last, next
the First World War, the second lesson, the next exercise, the last chapter

количественные числительные после существительных
Text Six, page five, lesson 23, Room 8

слово other в сочетании с парным предметом, либо одним из двух предметов, либо остатком чего-либо
the other glove

 

слово radio в сочетании с глаголами восприятия
listen to the radio

слово television в сочетании с глаголами восприятия
watch television

слова bed, table, school, college, church, когда они обозначают конкретный предмет или здание

слова bed, table, school, college, church, home, когда они обозначают не предмет, а связанную с ним деятельность (сон и т.п.)
go to bed

слово hospital в американском английском
go to the hospital

слово hospital в британском английском
go to hospital

разговорные названия болезней
the flue

научные названия болезней
bronchitis, maxillary sinusitis

музыкальные инструменты (всегда)
the piano, the violin

виды спорта, шахматы, карточные игры
soccer, tennis, chess, whist

 

месяцы, дни недели
Monday, Friday, February, August

 

праздники
Christmas, Martinmas

 
 

трапезы, время приёма пищи
breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper

выражения утром, днём, вечером
in the morning / afternoon / evening

выражения типа завтра утром, прошлым вечером
tomorrow morning, last night

окружающие предметы быта; то, что известно всем и не требуется дополнительно представлять
the sun, the sky, the door, the floor, the table, the window

абстрактные, отвлеченные понятия, чувства и эмоции
love, patience, happiness, freedom

 

науки, учебные предметы и дисциплины
mathematics, physics, economics, biology

 

названия веществ
water, gas, beer

названия должностей, которые может занимать только один человек
Opponents accuse the president of authoritarian rule

названия должностей, которые может занимать только один человек, как именная часть составного сказуемого или после глаголов elect, appoint
He was appointed Chief Executive Officer

существительные, перед которыми стоит прилагательное в превосходной степени
the tallest building in the city

 

существительные, после которых стоит предлог of, означающий лимитирующее определение
the color of amber, the feelings of the people of Zimbabwe, the negative report of the UN weapons inspector

существительные, после которых стоит предлог of, означающий описательное определение
a book of interest, a group of children, a temperature of 20°, a ring of gold, a cup of tea, a boy of five, a glass of orange juice

наречия в сравнительной степени в конструкции чем… тем…
the sooner you will come, the better it is

некоторые идиоматические выражения
on board

некоторые устойчивые словосочетания с предлогом in
in the morning / afternoon / evening / street

некоторые устойчивые словосочетания с предлогом at
at night / work / home