Talking in general

the does not mean ‘all’

We do not use the with uncountable or plural nouns to talk about things in general – to talk about all books, all people or all life, for example. The does not mean ‘all’. Instead, we use no article. Compare:

• Move the books off that chair and sit down. (= particular books)
  Books are expensive. (not The books are expensive.)
• I’m studying the life of Beethoven. (= one particular life)
  Life is complicated. (not The life …)
• ‘Where’s the cheese?’ ‘I ate it.’
  I love cheese.
• I’ve joined the local Dramatic Society.
  It’s not always easy to fit in with society.
• I never really understood the nature of my father’s work.
  She’s very interested in nature, especially animals and birds.
• Write your name in the space at the bottom of the page.
  Would you like to travel into space?
• Why has the light gone out?
  Nothing can travel faster than light.

Note that most (meaning ‘the majority of’) is used without the.

• Most birds can fly. (not The most birds …)
• Most of the children got very tired. (not The most of the children …)

Generalisations with singular countable nouns

Sometimes we talk about things in general by using the with a singular countable noun.

• Schools should concentrate more on the child and less on exams.

This is common with the names of scientific instruments and inventions, and musical instruments.

• Life would be quieter without the telephone.
• The violin is more difficult than the piano.

We can also generalise by talking about one example of a class, using a/an (meaning ‘any’) with a singular countable noun.

• A baby deer can stand as soon as it’s born.
• A child needs plenty of love.

Note that we cannot use a/an in this way when we are generalising about all of the members of a group together.

• The tiger is in danger of becoming extinct. (not A tiger is in danger of becoming extinct. The sentence is about the whole tiger family, not about individuals.)
• Do you like horses? (not Do you like a horse?)

note

For the use of the + adjective to generalise about groups (e.g. the old, the blind ), (see here).