Author: Gareth

This time in our structure help we talk about definiteness in relation to nouns and give some examples of ‘definite’ nouns. Often the idea of definiteness relates to the relationship between the speaker and listener. If the speaker and listener share a lot of common knowledge, definite nouns are more likely.

e.g. I sold the car.

In this case ‘the car’ would be indefinite to a person who doesn’t know the speaker, but if the listener knows the speaker, he/she probably knows this car and so ‘the’ is necessary.

Have a look at the diagram below, then find an article, page from a book and check for ‘definite’ nouns and ‘indefinite’ nouns.

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This time in our structure help we talk about using ‘a / an’ and ‘the’ with countable singular nouns. We also introduce the idea of indefinite and definite nouns. An indefinite noun is a noun which hasn’t been mentioned before and that you can’t identify by other means. So for example if you’re talking to a person and the person mentions ‘a book’ they read. You don’t know which book this is or it’s name, it’s indefinite, so we need to use ‘a’ before the noun. In the following sentences ‘book’ becomes definite because the listener knows which noun it is, so ‘the’ for example can be used with the noun. e.g.

‘I bought a book last week. The book is very interesting.’

In our second sentences it’s clear which book we’re talking about.

Look at the diagram below for more information.

Next week, we’ll talk more about indefinite and definite nouns and when a noun can be definite the first time you mention it.

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Have a great day!