Welcome to
ESL Printables, the website where English Language teachers exchange resources: worksheets, lesson plans,  activities, etc.
Our collection is growing every day with the help of many teachers. If you want to download you have to send your own contributions.

 


 

 

 

ESL Forum:

Techniques and methods in Language Teaching

Games, activities and teaching ideas

Grammar and Linguistics

Teaching material

Concerning worksheets

Concerning powerpoints

Concerning online exercises

Make suggestions, report errors

Ask for help

Message board

 

ESL forum > Message board > THE?    

THE?



Adryenn
Hungary

THE?
 
Hi Everyone!

I �ve just seen the following sentence in a coursebook:

The pengiuns are black and white birds.

Is it  correct to use THE in this sentence? I would rather say: Penguins are black and white birds. This is because I�m talking about penguins in general. Am I right?

Thanks for your answers in advance.

Adrienn

14 Jan 2012      





mirela.sorina
Romania

you areClap

14 Jan 2012     



yanogator
United States

Yes, you are right. You can say either "The penguin is a black and white bird" or "Penguins are black and white birds".
 
If you are looking at a number of different kinds of birds all together, you can say "The penguins are the black and white birds" (distinguishing them from the others).
 
Bruce

14 Jan 2012     



libertybelle
United States

If you write: The penguins are black and white - you are speaking of a specific group of penguins and not all penguins in general.
If you mean penguins in general - then you don �t use THE.

L

15 Jan 2012