Learning English

Meaning and use

The definite article is the word the.

An uncountable noun, sometimes called a mass noun is a noun that usually does not have a plural form. It refers to something that cannot be counted numerically. Which means the amount of it cannot usually be specified with just a number.

Some examples of this kind of noun are:

bread, water, milk, air, snow, accommodation, furniture

Abstract uncountable nouns do not refer to things that we can sense, things that we can taste, touch, smell, hear or see. They refer to ideas, feelings, emotions qualities and concepts. Some examples of this kind of noun are:

love, fun, happiness, kindness, patience, truth, hope, childhood

Take note: general and specific statements and the definite article

When we use an abstract uncountable noun to make a general statement, we don’t use the.

When we use an abstract uncountable noun to refer to a specific example of a noun, we use the before the noun.

Compare these examples:

Money can’t buy you happiness.
This is a general statement about happiness; that it can’t be bought.


I can’t express the happiness (that) I felt when my son was born.
This statement refers to a particular time of happiness. The defining relative clause (that) I felt when my son was born identifies which time of happiness.

Enthusiasm is important in any line of work.
This is a general statement about the importance of enthusiasm.

The enthusiasm she has for her craft is obvious.
This statement refers to enthusiasm for a specific activity. The phrase she has for her craft indentifies the particular activity.

A quality I look for in a partner is intelligence.
This statement refers to intelligence in general, as an appealing quality.

She’s got the intelligence to get to the very top of her profession.
This statement refers to a particular level of intelligence needed for a specific achievement. The phrase to get to the very top of her profession defines which achievement.

Everyone is entitled to freedom.
This is a general statement about the idea of freedom.

Just because you’re 15 now doesn’t mean you have the freedom to come and go as you please.
This sentence focuses on a specific freedom. The phrase to come and go as you please defines the freedom, which in this case is not granted!