Unit 3.1
Definite Articles
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Introduction
Articles are words that accompany a noun. They can be indefinite or definite.
Definite articles are used to refer to something concrete that the speaker knows.
Form
Definite articles are placed in the following positions:
- always after universal quantifiers todo/-a/-os/-as;
- sometimes with numerical quantifiers (Los dos chicos);
- always with nouns expressing leisure activities (juego al fútbol);
- always with a subject noun in constructions with verbs such as gustar, encantar, doler, interesar, apetecer… (Me encanta la paella).
Do not use:
- never with modifiers of gradation: (la comida muy buena);
- incompatibility with possessive structures and complements of measure, without a restrictive modifier:
*Tiene el perro / Tiene el perro de Juan.
Example
- Todos los monumentos eran de piedra;
- Las dos estatuas se miraban mutuamente en silencio;
- Solía jugar a la consola del centro comercial;
- Me gusta el pollo que venden en esa carnicería;
- Os duelen las muelas desde que fuisteis a la frutería;
- El Noroeste es el lugar opuesto del Sudeste.
Use
The definite article is used with the following leading values or meanings:
- anaphoric use, i.e. when speaking a second time about something already mentioned (e.g. El curso es interesante);
- deictic use based on the extralinguistic situation (e.g. ¿Puedes cerrar la puerta, por favor?);
- inalienable possession (e.g., Me duele la cabeza,, instead of: Duele mi cabeza);
- generic value (e.g., Leo el periódico);
- noun value, i.e. when a noun is omitted (e.g., Compra el nuevo).
Not used:
- With gradational modifiers.
Summary
Articles are words that accompany a noun. In Spanish, they are divided into definite and indefinite. Definities are used to refer to something known to the speaker, something that can be identified.
For example:
— «¿Hay una farmacia por aquí?» = With the verb form hay;
— «Todos los chicos está en la otra sala». = With numerical quantifiers;
— «Me duele la pierna». = With the verb doler.
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
Exercises
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