Studying Grammar Like Crazy!

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Part of speech
or grammatical category:
Word, term
or idea:
Other notes on
class or type:
Level of difficulty
1 elementary
5 intermediate
9 advanced
Adjective
the, used with multiple singular and/or plural nouns
while the is an adjective, it is also classified as an article, and specifically as the definite article
5
Explanation and discussion:
Many times we have a noun which is preceded by two adjectives, which may refer to one or two things. In order to prevent misunderstanding, we must be very careful in our choice of using the before either, neither or both.

  • If the noun is singular and the adjectives refer to ONE object, then we should use the before only the first adjective.
  • If the noun is singular but the adjectives make it clear we are referring to two objects, we should use the before both the first and second adjective.
  • If on the other hand, the noun is plural and the adjectives make reference to the plural, then use the only before the first adjective.
Example(s):
    RIGHT
  1. the right and left brain (only one brain)
  2. the right and the left hand (two hands, see the next example)
  3. the right and left hands
  4. the young and decent people (these people are both young and decent)
  5. the war room is the command and control center (one center handles both functions)
    WRONG
  1. the right and the left brain (you have two brains?)
  2. the right and left hand (you have only one hand, and it is both your right and left one?)
  3. the right and the left hands (you have several right and several left hands?)
  4. the young and the decent people (young people are not decent and decent people are not young?)
  5. the war room is the command and the control center (two centers handle these functions, but war room is one room)
Note(s): Knowing when and how to use articles is most difficult for speakers from languages without articles. The BEST way to learn is via extensive listening and extensive reading.
Exercise(s):
1) Mr. Spock was ____ First Officer and ____ Science Officer on Star Trek®.
2) ____ German and ____ French Armies met in battle.
3) ____ newest and ____ heaviest element is element 114.
4) ____ right and ____ left shoe.