1. THE DEFINITE ARTICLE

2. WHAT ARE THEY? Le – masculine words La – feminine words L’ – words starting with a vowel or a silent « h » Les – plural words

3. WHAT DO THEY MEAN IN ENGLISH? These words usually translate “the”. However a definite article is often required in French when “the” is not needed in English

4. SOME EXAMPLES Before abstract nouns or when nouns are used to generalise. Eg: L’éducation est importante pour l’homme et la femme. Education is important for men and women.

5. SOME EXAMPLES Before names of continents, countries, regions and languages. Eg: La Grande-Bretagne est plus petite que la France. Great-Britain is smaller than France.

6. SOME EXAMPLES Before arts, sciences, sports, parts of the body, illnesses, meals and drink, and days of the week. Eg: La biologie est plus intéressante que la physique Biology is more interesting than physics Eg: Je préfère le café I prefer coffee

7. SOME EXAMPLES Before titles Eg: Le Roi Henri IV King Henry IV Eg: Le Président Jacques Chirac President Jacques Chirac

8. EXERCISE Translate the following sentences into French

9. What time is lunch? Le déjeuner est à quelle heure? Rugby is a team sport. Le rugby est un sport collectif German is a difficult language. L’allemand est une langue difficile For breakfast, I prefer tea. Pour le petit-déjeuner, je préfère le thé

10. MORE PRACTICE Put your hand up. Lève la main On saturdays, I’m going to town. Le samedi, je vais en ville He broke his leg skiing Il s’est cassé la jambe en faisant du ski I’ve got flu J’ai la grippe