men with their children

Will has a son and a daughter.
The son's name is Phillip. The daughter's name is Anne.

A / An & The

A / an = There are many and I'm talking about one.

The = It is clear which thing / things I mean.

cookies

I want a cookie.

  • There are many cookies. I want one.
cookie

I want the cookie.

  • There is only one cookie. I want it.

Peter has a car.

  • There are many cars. Peter has one.

The cars are expensive.

  • I am looking at some cars. They are expensive.

There is an apple.

  • There are many apples. I am talking about one.

The apple is delicious.

  • The apple I am eating is delicious.

The

Sometimes it is clear which person or thing we are talking about:

In a house:

kitchen

My mother is in the kitchen.

Which kitchen?

  • The kitchen in this house.
living room

I am watching TV in the living room.

Which living room?

  • The living room in this house.
 

In a room:

floor

The dog is on the floor.

Which floor?

  • The floor in this room.
windows

The windows are open.

Which windows?

  • The windows in this room.
lamp

The lamp is beside the computer.

Which lamp & computer?

  • The lamp & computer in this room.

In a town:

university

The university is big.

Which university?

  • The university in this town.
door

I don't like the hospital.

Which hospital?

  • The hospital in this town.
light

There are a lot of people at the beach today.

Which beach?

  • The beach in this town.

In a classroom:

teacher

The teacher is talking.

Which teacher?

  • The teacher in this classroom.
door

Please close the door.

Which door?

  • The door in this classroom.
door

The students are studying.

Which students?

  • The students in this classroom.

It is clear which thing / things you mean if you have already mentioned it / them:

I have some grapes and a banana. The grapes are delicious, but the banana isn't.

Which grapes & banana?

  • The grapes & banana I already mentioned.

There is a man and a woman on the sofa. The man is watching TV.

Which man?

  • The man I already mentioned.

There is a boy and a girl. The boy is angry.

Which boy?

  • The boy I already mentioned.

I have some chicken and rice for lunch. I don't want to eat the rice. Do you want it?

Which rice?

  • The rice I already mentioned.

Exercise

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Exercise

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