HOW TO USE THE DEFINITE ARTICLE “THE”
Definition:
“The” can be used to put the plural nouns, singular nouns and the non-countable
nouns.
THE DEFINITE ARTICLE “THE” CAN BE USED AS
THE FOLLOWING:
A. When both the speaker and the listener
have a specific thing or person in mind:
For Examples:
Could you shut the window? - Yes, of
course.
(Both the speaker and listener know which
window)
Could you open the door? - No, of course
not.
(Both the speaker and the listener know
which door)
Where is Jack? - He is in the kitchen.
(Both the speaker and listener know which
kitchen)
B. When there is something only one in the
world:
For Examples:
The earth is round.
The moon shines at night.
The sun shines in the day time.
The sky is blue when the weather is
wonderful.
The world is wonderful if people love each
other.
C. When we mention the nouns for the
second time:
For Examples:
I saw a woman waiting at the hall an hour ago.
The woman looked like your mother.
We have a horse and a cow.
The horse is five years old and the cow is
very old.
She has a pig and a parrot.
The pig is still a piglet and the parrot is
three months old.
He has a bike and a motorcycle.
The bike is new, but the motorcycle is very
old.
They have a new car and a big house.
The car is very expensive and the house is
a present from my uncle.
D. With the names of musical instruments:
For Examples:
He plays the piano.
She plays the drum.
They play the keyboard.
You play the guitar.
We play the violin.
I play the bass.
Mary plays the flute.
John plays the trumpet.
E. With the superlative of adjectives:
For Examples:
The Mississippi is the longest river in the
U.S.A.
Mike is the most handsome boy in the class.
Sophea is the most beautiful girl of all.
John is the cleverest boy in our class.
Phanith is the best student of all.
Your straight ruler is the shortest.
F. when speaking about the specific nouns:
For Examples:
Coffee is a popular beverage. (General)
The coffee we had this morning was
Colombian. (Specific)
Ice-cream is sweet. (General)
The ice-cream we ate last night was not
sweet enough. (Specific)
Apples are good for us. (General)
The apples in the basket are for sales. (Specific)
Milk is good for our health. (General)
The milk we bought last week was very far
from cheap. (Specific)
G. With words like “office, center, movie,
cinema, concert, theatre, …etc.
For Examples:
We are going the theater tonight.
I like going to the concert.
John loves going the cinema.
Related information on how to use the article: A/An/The
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