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Unit 77 · Articles and nouns

Names with and without the

Study

A

We do not use the with names of people ('Helen', 'Helen Taylor' etc.). In the same way, we do not use the with most names of places. For example:

continents Africa (not **the** Africa), South America
countries, states etc. France (not **the** France), Japan, Texas
islands Sicily, Tasmania
cities, towns etc. Cairo, Bangkok
mountains Everest, Kilimanjaro

But we normally use the in names with Republic, Kingdom, States etc.:

**the** Czech Republic **the** United Kingdom (the UK)
**the** Dominican Republic **the** United States of America (the USA)

Compare:

›

Have you been to Canada or the United States?

B

When we use Mr / Ms / Captain / Doctor etc. + a name, we do not use the. So we say:

›

Mr Johnson / Doctor Johnson / Captain Johnson / President Johnson etc. (not the …)

›

Uncle Robert / Saint Catherine / Queen Catherine etc. (not the …)

Compare:

›

We called the doctor.

›

We called Doctor Johnson. (not the Doctor Johnson)

We use Mount (= mountain) and Lake before a name in the same way (without the):

**Mount** Everest (not **the** …) **Mount** Etna **Lake** Superior **Lake** Victoria
›

They live near the lake.

›

They live near Lake Superior. (not the Lake Superior)

C

We use the with the names of oceans, seas, rivers and canals:

**the** Atlantic (Ocean) **the** Red Sea **the** Amazon
**the** Indian Ocean **the** Channel (between **the** Nile
**the** Mediterranean (Sea) France and Britain) **the** Suez Canal

We use the with the names of deserts:

**the** Sahara (Desert) **the** Gobi Desert
D

We use the with plural names of people and places:

people **the** Taylors (= **the** Taylor family), **the** Johnsons
countries **the** Netherlands, **the** Philippines, **the** United States
groups of islands **the** Canaries (or **the** Canary Islands), **the** Bahamas
mountain ranges **the** Andes, **the** Alps, **the** Urals
›

The highest mountain in the Andes is (Mount) Aconcagua.

E

We say:

**the north** (of Brazil) but northern Brazil (without **the**)
**the southeast** (of Spain) but southeastern Spain

Compare:

›

Sweden is in northern Europe; Spain is in the south.

We also use north / south etc. (without the) in the names of some regions and countries:

North America South Africa southeast Asia

Note that on maps, the is not usually included in the name.

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
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77.1

Which is right?

  1. 1
    Who is Doctor Johnson / the Doctor Johnson?
  2. 2
    I was ill.
  3. 3
    Doctor Thomas / The Doctor Thomas is an expert on heart disease.
  4. 4
    I'm looking for Professor Brown / the Professor Brown. Do you know where she is?
  5. 5
    In the United States, President / the President is elected for four years.
  6. 6
    President Kennedy / The President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
  7. 7
    The officer I spoke to at the police station was Inspector Roberts / the Inspector Roberts.
  8. 8
    Do you know Wilsons / the Wilsons? They're a very nice couple.
  9. 9
    Julia spent three years as a student in United States / the United States.
  10. 10
    France / The France has a population of about 66 million.
77.2

Some of these sentences are OK, but some need the (sometimes more than once). Correct the sentences where necessary.

  1. 1
    Everest was first climbed in 1953.
    ✓ 正确，无需修改example
  2. 2
    Milan and Turin are cities in north of Italy.
  3. 3
    Africa is much larger than Europe.
  4. 4
    Last year I visited Mexico and United States.
  5. 5
    Southern England is warmer than north.
  6. 6
    Thailand and Cambodia are in southeast Asia.
  7. 7
    Chicago is on Lake Michigan.
  8. 8
    Next year we're going skiing in Swiss Alps.
  9. 9
    UK consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
  10. 10
    Seychelles are a group of islands in Indian Ocean.
  11. 11
    I've never been to South Africa.
  12. 12
    River Volga flows into Caspian Sea.
77.3

Here are some geography questions. Choose the right answer from one of the boxes and use the if necessary. You do not need all the names in the boxes.

  1. 1
    What do you have to cross to travel from Europe to America?
    example
  2. 2
    Where is Argentina?
  3. 3
    Which is the longest river in Africa?
  4. 4
    Of which country is Stockholm the capital?
  5. 5
    Of which country is Washington the capital?
  6. 6
    What is the name of the mountain range in the west of North America?
  7. 7
    What is the name of the sea between Africa and Europe?
  8. 8
    Which is the smallest continent in the world?
  9. 9
    What is the name of the ocean between North America and Asia?
  10. 10
    What is the name of the ocean between Africa and Australia?
  11. 11
    Which river flows through London?
  12. 12
    Which river flows through Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade?
  13. 13
    Of which country is Bangkok the capital?
  14. 14
    What joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?
  15. 15
    Which is the longest river in South America?