A |
Compare a and the in these examples: ![](../uploads/listening/images/Unit72-a.jpg) • 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. |