A/an and the |
| A |
Compare a and the in these examples: 
• A man and a woman were sitting opposite me. The man was American, but I think the woman was British.
• When we were on holiday, we stayed at a hotel. Sometimes we ate at the hotel and sometimes we went to a restaurant. |
| B |
We use the when we are thinking of a specific thing. Compare a/an and the:
• Tim sat down on a chair. (perhaps one of many chairs in the room)
Tim sat down on the chair nearest the door. (a specific chair)
• Paula is looking for a job. (not a specific job)
Did Paula get the job she applied for? (a specific job)
• Have you got a car? (not a specific car)
I cleaned the car yesterday. (= my car) |
| C |
We use the when it is clear in the situation which thing or person we mean.
For example, in a room we talk about the light / the floor / the ceiling / the door / the carpet etc. :
• Can you turn off the light, please? (= the light in this room)
• I took a taxi to the station. (= the station in that town)
• (in a shop) I'd like to speak to the manager, please. (= the manager of this shop)
In the same way, we say (go to) the bank, the post office:
• I have to go to the bank and then I'm going to the post office. (The speaker is usually thinking of a specific bank or post office.)
We also say (go to) the doctor / the dentist:
• Caroline isn't very well. She's gone to the doctor. (= her usual doctor)
• I don't like going to the dentist.
Compare the and a:
• I have to go to the bank today. Is there a bank near here?
• I don't like going to the dentist. My sister is a dentist. |
| D |
We say 'once a week / three times a day / £1.50 a kilo' etc. :
• 'How often do you go to the cinema?' 'About once a month.'
• 'How much are those potatoes?' '£1.50 a kilo.'
• Helen works eight hours a day, six days a week. |
