To talk about things in general, use the noun without the: I like music, dogs are friendly, crime is a problem. Use the for a particular thing: the music at the party was loud.
A In general: no the
When you talk about things or people in general, do not use the.
This goes for subjects, sports, food, music, ideas and so on: history, football, chocolate, music, life, crime.
- I love music. (not the music)
- Dogs are good company.
- I'm not interested in politics.
- Do you like football?
- Life is complicated.
- Crime is a big problem in many cities.
B A particular thing: the
Use the for a particular thing or person, one we both know about.
- I love music. The music at the party was too loud.
- Dogs are friendly. The dog next door barks all night.
- Do you like tea? The tea in this café is excellent.
- I'm interested in history. The history of Wales is fascinating.
Exercises
72.1 What do you think about these things? Write sentences beginning I like, I don't like, I love, I hate, I don't mind. Choose from: cats, crowded trains, reality TV, early mornings, festivals, galleries, coffee, cycling, board games, jazz, cooking, horror films.
(early mornings)
Example answer: I hate early mornings.
(cats)
Example answer: I love cats.
(crowded trains)
Example answer: I don't like crowded trains.
(festivals)
Example answer: I like festivals.
(galleries)
Example answer: I don't mind galleries.
(coffee)
Example answer: I love coffee.
(jazz)
Example answer: I hate jazz.
72.2 Are you interested in these things? Write sentences with I'm (very) interested in, I'm not interested in, I know a lot about, I know a little about, I don't know much about, I don't know anything about.
(history)
Example answer: I'm very interested in history.
(politics)
Example answer: I'm not interested in politics.
(sport)
Example answer: I know a lot about sport.
(art)
Example answer: I know a little about art.
(astronomy)
Example answer: I don't know much about astronomy.
(economics)
Example answer: I don't know anything about economics.
72.3 Which is right? Write the correct form.
My favourite sport is football (football / the football).
My favourite sport is football.
I like this hotel. (Rooms / The rooms) are very nice.
I like this hotel. The rooms are very nice.
Everybody needs (friends / the friends).
Everybody needs friends.
Max doesn't watch (horror films / the horror films). They scare him.
Max doesn't watch horror films. They scare him.
We ate at Luigi's last night. (Pizzas / The pizzas) were delicious.
We ate at Luigi's last night. The pizzas were delicious.
"Where's (milk / the milk)?" "It's in the fridge."
"Where's the milk?" "It's in the fridge."
I can't stand (coffee / the coffee). It's too bitter.
I can't stand coffee. It's too bitter.
"Do you do any sport?" "Yes, I play (basketball / the basketball)."
"Do you do any sport?" "Yes, I play basketball."
Nowadays (most people / the most people) have a smartphone.
Nowadays most people have a smartphone.
We went out for a meal last night. (Food / The food) was lovely.
We went out for a meal last night. The food was lovely.
Some people are afraid of (spiders / the spiders).
Some people are afraid of spiders.
Do you think (life / the life) is fair?
Do you think life is fair?