Chapter+18

Chapter 18: the definite article
Definite article ( bepaald lidwoord) in English is ‘ The’, in Dutch it is ‘de/ het’ If the following noun in a sentence is used as a general sense you DON’T use a definite article, e.g. de lente begint op 21 maart. – Spring begins on 21 March.
 * 18.1 **

With seasons used in a general sense the definite article may also be used:

I often have a cold in ( the) winter.

‘half general.’ Some combinations are half general, between specific and general. English Literature for example. We aren’t talking about all literature but they are still rather general then when we say ‘the English literature we read at school’

Exceptions: The British economy The history of London.

No definite article is used before the words school, college ,university, church, hospital, prison and town when we are talking about them in ‘general ‘ That’s because we don’t refer to the building. When we refer to the building we use the definite article.
 * 18.2 **

e.g. she goes to universiteit - - ze gaat naar de universiteit she lives next to the university - - ze woont naast de universiteit. You see that in Dutch you don’t see any difference.

When we use names of meals we also don’t use a definite article.
 * 18.3 **

Het ontbijt is om 8 uur – breakfast is at 8 a.m. When we refer to the quality of something we do use a definite article. Het ontbijt dat geserveerd werd was heerlijk – the breakfast that was served was delicious

No definite article is used when we talk about means of transport.
 * 18.4 **

e.g. I always go to school by bike—ik ga altijd naar school met de fiets.

Geographical names don’t get a definite article in English.
 * 18.5 **

De mount Everest – mount Everest

Exceptions: Nederland—the Netherlands Verenigde Staten – the United States

No definite article is used when we talk about names of languages.
 * 18.6 **

Zeg het in het engels – Say it in English Vertaal deze brief van het Spaans naar het Nederlands – Translate this letter from Spanish to Dutch

No definite article is used before ‘most’ when the meaning is //the greater part of//.
 * 18.7 **

De meeste vrouwen houden van chocola – Most women like chocolate.

When ‘most’ means //more than anyone else//, the definite article is used.

Wie heeft de meeste vissen gevangen? – Who has caught the most fish?

However there are some exceptions:

Iedereen weet dat hij hier het meeste werk doet – Everyone knows that he does the most work here Hij heeft het meeste geld – He has the most money

The definite article is never used before ‘half’

Meer dan de helft van.. – More than half of.. Meer dan de helft is.. – More than half is..

Before ‘last’ no definite article is used when it means //immediately before the present one//. (Dutch: ‘vorig’)
 * 18.8 **

De vorige keer/week/maand – Last time/week/month Zijn vorige vrouw was niet aardig – His last wife wasn’t very kind

In other cases the definite article is used.

De laatste week van de vakantie – The last week of the holidays Dat was de laatste keer dat ik hem zag – That was the last time i saw him

When ‘next’ refers to time, it is not preceded by a definite article.

Ik zie je de volgende week – I will see you next week Wat gaan we het volgende uur doen? – What are we going to do next hour?

There are some exceptions (Page 201).

When ‘next’ refers to order it is preceded by the definite article.

De volgende trein – The next train De volgende patient – The next patient

‘Last’ and ‘next’ must be preceded by //the// and followed by //few// in the following cases:

De laatste paar dagen – The last few days De volgende dagen – The next few days

No definite article is used before //superlative// overtreffende trap) when this superlative is: a. **A subject complement** De zon is het warmst om 12 uur ’s middags – The sun is hottest at noon.
 * 18.9 **

b. **An adverbial** Zij werkt het hardst – She works hardest Hij weet het het best – He knows best

No definite article is used in a number of expressions. (Page 202)
 * 18.10 **

e.g Het geduld/de moed verliezen – to lose patience Uit het oog verliezen – lose sight of Uit het hoofd leren – Learn by heart

In the following cases the definite article is used in English but not in Dutch: a. **Before names of musical instruments** Speel jij piano/gitaar? – Do you play the piano/guitar?
 * 18.11 **

b. **Before a noun + of** Op advies van.. – On the advice of.. Op verzoek van.. – On the request of..

c. __In the following cases the definite article is used in english but not in Dutch:__ - before names of musical intruments: do you play the piano?

- before a noun + of: on the advice of at the request of on the basis of

- in some expressions: raise the alarm put to the vote be/ become the fashion join the army

Exercise:

Is the definite article used in the following sentences:

1. They are going to … church. 2. I like … history of Holland. 3. What time will … breakfast be served? 4. I always go to school by … bus. 5. I have climbed … Mount Kilimanjaro. 6. Translate the text to … Dutch. 7. Who has … most kids? 8. … last week of the holidays. 9. He knows … best. 10. Do you play … trumpet?

media type="custom" key="3351300"