In this article on the No Use of the Definite Article ‘The’, only three rules are discussed, which are often asked in competitive exams. Rules 36 to 38 are explained, highlighting three important cases where the definite article ‘The’ should not be used.
- No use of Articles after “Turn” when it means “Become”
- No use of ‘The’ before Articles of Clothing with Possessive Words
- No use of ‘The’ before Parts of Body with Possessive Words
Rule 36: No use of Articles after “Turn” when it means “Become”
ਜਦੋਂ Turn ਦਾ ਅਰਥ Become ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ Article ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ
ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਦੋਂ turn ਦਾ ਅਰਥ become (ਬਣ ਜਾਣਾ) ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ turn ਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ noun ਜਾਂ adjective ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ a/an/the ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ।
The Rule 36 states that when “turn” means “become”, no article is used before the noun following it.
Now understand Rule 36 with examples and detailed explanation.
Examples:
E.g. He turned politician.
ਉਹ ਰਾਜਨੀਤਿਕ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ।
Incorrect: He turned a politician.
Incorrect: He turned the politician.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ “turned” ਦਾ ਅਰਥ “became” ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ politician ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕੋਈ article ਨਹੀਂ ਆਵੇਗਾ।
E.g. A frustrated lover turns mad.
ਇੱਕ ਨਿਰਾਸ਼ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ ਪਾਗਲ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Incorrect: A frustrated lover turns the mad.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ “mad” adjective ਹੈ ਅਤੇ turn ਦਾ ਅਰਥ become ਹੈ।
More Examples:
- He turned traitor.
ਉਹ ਗੱਦਾਰ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ। - She turned actress.
ਉਹ ਅਦਾਕਾਰਾ ਬਣ ਗਈ। - The milk turned sour.
ਦੂਧ ਖੱਟਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ।
Now understand the important note.
Note:
ਜੇ “turn” ਦਾ ਅਰਥ become ਨਾ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ ਅਰਥ ਦੇਵੇ, ਤਾਂ noun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ article ਲੱਗ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
E.g. Veena turned the key in the lock.
ਵੀਣਾ ਨੇ ਤਾਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਚਾਬੀ ਘੁਮਾਈ।
Incorrect: Veena turned key in the lock.
E.g. Anjani turned the handle but the door didn’t open.
ਅੰਜਨੀ ਨੇ ਹੈਂਡਲ ਘੁਮਾਇਆ ਪਰ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ਾ ਨਾ ਖੁਲਿਆ।
Incorrect: Anjani turned handle but the door didn’t open.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ “turn” ਦਾ ਅਰਥ “ਘੁਮਾਉਣਾ” ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਕਿ become। ਇਸ ਲਈ the ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Now understand the difference carefully.
- He turned doctor.
→ become doctor - He turned the handle.
→ rotated the handle
Punjabi Explanation:
Meaning ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ article ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਬਦਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Important Notes for Rule 36:
Turn = Become
→ No Article
Examples:
- turn politician
- turn actor
- turn traitor
- turn mad
Turn = Rotate/Change Direction etc.
→ Article may be used
Examples:
- turn the key
- turn the handle
- turn the wheel
Remember:
Turn = Become → No Article
Examples:
- He turned singer. → correct
He turned a singer. → incorrect
- She turned teacher. → correct
She turned the teacher. → incorrect
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ rule ਨੂੰ “Turn = Become → No Article” ਵਜੋਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
Rule 37: No use of ‘The’ before Articles of Clothing with Possessive Words
ਜਦੋਂ Articles of Clothing ਨਾਲ Possessive Adjective ਜਾਂ Possessive Case ਵਰਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ
ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਦੋਂ clothes/dress related nouns (coat, shirt, collar, cap, shoes etc.) ਦੇ ਨਾਲ possessive adjective (my, his, her, your etc.) ਜਾਂ possessive case (‘s / ‘) ਵਰਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ।
The Rule 37 states that when articles of clothing are used with possessive adjectives or possessive case, ‘The’ is not used before them.
Now understand Rule 37 with examples and detailed explanation.
Examples:
E.g. He took off his coat.
ਉਸਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਕੋਟ ਉਤਾਰਿਆ।
Incorrect: He took off the his coat.
Punjabi Explanation:
“his” ਇੱਕ possessive adjective ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ coat ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗੇਗਾ।
E.g. She seized the child’s collar.
ਉਸਨੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਦਾ ਕਾਲਰ ਫੜ ਲਿਆ।
Incorrect: She seized the child’s the collar.
Punjabi Explanation:
“child’s” possessive case ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ collar ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗੇਗਾ।
Now understand the important note.
Note:
ਜੇ article of clothing ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ particularised sense ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਵੇ, ਖਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ structure:
by + the + part/article
ਵਿੱਚ, ਤਾਂ The ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
E.g. She seized the child by the collar.
ਉਸਨੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਕਾਲਰ ਤੋਂ ਫੜਿਆ।
Incorrect: She seized the child by collar.
Punjabi Explanation:
ਇੱਥੇ collar ਇੱਕ specific body/clothing part ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ The ਆਇਆ ਹੈ।
More Examples:
- He caught me by the sleeve.
ਉਸਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਾਂਹ ਤੋਂ ਫੜਿਆ। - The thief pulled him by the shirt.
ਚੋਰ ਨੇ ਉਸਦੀ ਕਮੀਜ਼ ਫੜ ਕੇ ਖਿੱਚਿਆ।
Now understand the difference carefully.
- He removed his cap.
→ possessive adjective used → no The - He caught the boy by the cap.
→ specific reference → use The
Important Notes for Rule 37:
Possessive Adjective/Possessive Case + Clothing Noun
→ No The
Examples:
- his coat
- her saree
- Ram’s shirt
- the child’s collar
Particularised/Special Reference
→ Use The
Examples:
- by the collar
- by the sleeve
- by the shirt
Remember:
- Possessive Word Present → No The
Specific Reference → Use The
Examples:
- She wore her hat. → correct
She wore the her hat. → incorrect
- He caught the man by the arm. → correct
He caught the man by arm. → incorrect
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ rule ਨੂੰ “Possessive Clothing = No The, Specific Reference = The” ਵਜੋਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
Rule 38: No use of ‘The’ before Parts of Body with Possessive Words
ਜਦੋਂ Parts of Body ਨਾਲ Possessive Adjective ਜਾਂ Possessive Case ਵਰਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ
ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਦੋਂ body parts (hand, face, head, shoulder, leg etc.) ਦੇ ਨਾਲ possessive adjective (my, your, his, her etc.) ਜਾਂ possessive case (‘s / ‘) ਵਰਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ, ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ।
The Rule 38 states that when parts of body are used with possessive adjectives or possessive case, ‘The’ is not used before them.
Now understand Rule 38 with examples and detailed explanation.
Examples:
E.g. Raise your right hand.
ਆਪਣਾ ਸੱਜਾ ਹੱਥ ਉੱਪਰ ਕਰੋ।
Incorrect: Raise the your right hand.
Punjabi Explanation:
“your” ਇੱਕ possessive adjective ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ hand ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗੇਗਾ।
E.g. The brick hit John’s face.
ਈੱਟ ਜੌਨ ਦੇ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਲੱਗੀ।
Incorrect: The brick hit John’s the face.
Punjabi Explanation:
“John’s” possessive case ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ face ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗਦਾ।
Now understand the important structures.
ਕੁਝ ਖਾਸ structures ਵਿੱਚ body parts ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ The ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- E.g. I patted him on the shoulder.
ਮੈਂ ਉਸਦੇ ਮੋਢੇ ’ਤੇ ਥੱਪੀ ਮਾਰੀ। - E.g. The brick hit John in the face.
ਈੱਟ ਜੌਨ ਦੇ ਚਿਹਰੇ ’ਤੇ ਲੱਗੀ। - E.g. He was hit on the head.
ਉਸਦੇ ਸਿਰ ’ਤੇ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਗਿਆ। - E.g. He was hit in the hand.
ਉਸਦੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੋਟ ਲੱਗੀ।
Punjabi Explanation:
Prepositions ਜਿਵੇਂ on, in, by ਆਦਿ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ specific body part ਦੱਸਣ ਲਈ The ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Now understand the difference carefully.
- He washed his hands.
→ possessive adjective used → no The - He was hit on the hands.
→ specific body part after preposition → The used
More Examples:
- She closed her eyes.
ਉਸਨੇ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਬੰਦ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ। - The dog bit him on the leg.
ਕੁੱਤੇ ਨੇ ਉਸਦੀ ਟੰਗ ’ਤੇ ਕੱਟਿਆ।
Important Notes for Rule 38:
Possessive Adjective/Possessive Case + Body Part
→ No The
Examples:
- his head
- your hand
- John’s face
- her eyes
Preposition + Body Part
→ Use The
Examples:
- on the shoulder
- in the face
- on the head
- in the hand
Remember:
- Possessive Word Present → No The
- Preposition + Specific Body Part → Use The
Examples:
- She raised her hand. → correct
She raised the her hand. → incorrect
- He was struck on the head. → correct
He was struck on head. → incorrect
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ rule ਨੂੰ “Possessive Body Part = No The, Preposition Structure = The” ਵਜੋਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖੋ।
Other very important Articles on the Usage of the Definite Article “The” and No Usage of the Definite Article “The” in English Grammar
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 31–35
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 26–30
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 21–25
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 16–20
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 11–15
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 6–10
- No Usage of the Definite Article “The” — Rules 1–5
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 41‑43
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 36‑40
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 31‑35
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 25‑30
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 21‑25
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 16‑20
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 11‑15
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 6‑10
- Usage of the definite article ‘The’ — Rules 1‑5
