Using definite articles accurately

Many students find difficulty with using the definite article, 'the', in English. There are good reasons for this: some languages do not use articles, and English-speakers are not always consistent about the use of the article.

However, students should remember that it can be confusing if they use articles inaccurately, and try to learn the basic rules. 'The' is used for specific things:

Students often have to write essays (In general)

The students on my course have to write two essays per module. (Specific)

Writers, therefore, need to ask themselves if something is general or specific:

General
Global warming
Cyber crime
Fossil fuels

Specific
The Russian revolution
The moons of Jupiter
The research programme begun by Dr Lee

Note also that 'the' is used with the following:

Superlatives (the fastest)

Some countries (the USA, the UK)

Time periods (the middle ages)

Unique things (the president)

Regions (the midlands)

Institutions (the University of Derby)

Positions (the left, the middle)

Using more formal verbs in academic writing

A feature of most academic writing is the use of more formal verbs to express an idea more carefully:

         A reliable supply of energy is needed to accelerate growth ....

          Half the patients studied exhibited signs of improvement ....

In spoken English we might use 'to speed up' instead of 'accelerate' and 'showed' in place of 'exhibit'.

Although phrasal verbs such as 'make up' can be used, it is preferable to employ one-word verbs such as 'invent'.

Study the examples 1-10 and find a synonym from the lists below for each of the more formal verbs used.

1. A similar situation arises when we look at younger children.

2, The largest study was carried out in Finland.

3. Developing countries are characterised by a young age profile.

4. The project was designed to clarify these contradictions.

5. The water content of the mixture was determined experimentally.

6. There was a failure to discriminate between the two species.

7. Her work focused on the behaviour of female managers.

8. All the surveys indicate that employees prefer pay rises.

9. Both difficulties were overcome in the first year.

10. Their diet was supplemented with calcium.


get over       find         show        occur       add to           

explain     distinguish         conduct      look at closely       have features of 


ANSWERS ABOVE - SEE SEPTEMBER 19TH