The definite article, definition, uses and examples
What is the definite article in English?
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example: “The dog that bit me ran away.” Here, we’re talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.
Definite article yaani “THE” noun ke pehle istemaal hota hai. Indefinite noun mei hum ne seekha tha ki jab bhi hum kisi nayi baat ko bolna chahte hai aur woh ek cheez ke baare hai toh hum “A” ya “AN” lagate hai. Waise he jab bhi humne us baat ko aage le jaana hai toh wohi cheez ko “THE” Lagakar baat karege.
Jaise: This is a table. The table is big.
A table – ek table. The table – woh table – yaha woh table ki taraf ishara nahi hai balki woh table jiske baare mei maine picchle jumle mei ishara kiya. This is a table. yeh ek table hai. The table is big. Woh table bada hai.
Rules of using the definite article in English
Definite article, the, is used to refer to a particular member of a group or class. It may be something that the speaker has already mentioned or it may be something uniquely specified. ‘The’ is the only definite article in English, for both singular and plural nouns.
When you talk of indefinite article you are not talking of anything specific but in general terms. Indefinite article is also used to introduce common nouns into the conversation.
Already been mentioned
The definite article is used to refer to a noun that has already been mentioned earlier in the conversation or is already known to the listener. For example: You don’t say – The apple at the start, but you say an apple. This is an apple. However, if you want to mention something more about the apple then you will say, the apple. The apple is red. Also, we say the Taj Mahal. This is a monument that is assumed to be widely known. Similarly, the sun. For nouns such as the Taj Mahal and the sun, one need not introduce the in the conversation as a Taj Mahal or a sun since it is assumed the listener knows about these things.
Already been mentioned – jis cheez ke baare mei “THE” se baat karege woh pehle batayi gayi hai.
We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to:
Also not used in front of proper noun.
Uses of the the definite article
Used before nouns or adjective. Used for the whole group.
Nouns ya adjective ke pehle istemaal hota hai. Ek group ya ek khaas cheez ke liye istemaal hota hai.
Rich people don’t know how poor people live – Paise wale logon ko pata nahi gareeb kaise jeete hai.
Rich people don’t know how the poor live – Paise wale logon ko pata nahi gareeb kaise jeete hai.
Yaha poor people ko the poor kar diya gaya hai. The poor – sabhi gareeb logo ki baat karta hai.
Rich people are insensitive to the poor people’s problems
The rich are insensitive to the poor people’s problems
The cheetah is found in Africa – Cheetah Africa mei paya jaata hai
Cheetahs are found in Africa – Cheetah Africa mei paya jaata hai
The definite article examples
When we know the thing that we are referring to is only one in the world.
The Pope is visiting Russia.
The moon is very bright tonight.
Who is the president of France?
The Taj Mahal is beautiul
Use the definite article with a superlative adjective:
He is the tallest boy in the class.
It is the oldest building in the town.
He is the shortest man on earth.
More definite article examples
When both the speaker and the listener know what they are talking about.
Today I am taking the bus.
May I borrow the car
The boy is in the room.
The man is in Delhi
The bus is at the bus stop.
To say something about all the things referred to by a noun:
The wolf is not really a dangerous animal. (= Wolves are not really dangerous animals.)
The kangaroo is found only in Australia. (= Kangaroos are found only in Australia.)
The heart pumps blood around the body. (= Hearts pump blood around bodies.)
How to introduce yourself in the English language. How to introduce yourself in English.
We use the definite article in this way to talk about musical instruments:
Joe plays the piano really well.
She is learning the guitar.
to refer to a system or service:
How long does it take on the train?
I heard it on the radio.
You should tell the police.
Single but one and only
The sun
The moon
The stars?
The Taj Mahal
The Eiffel tower
The Big Ben
The only ,,,
The Himalayas
The Alps
The artic
The Indian Ocean
The Ganges
The United States
The Times of India
Mention some characteristic
The boy who limps
The car which you jumped over
The elephant we saw in the market yesterday
The secrets of healthy weight management
When not to use
Proper nouns – name, Mondays Tuesdays,
Is Monday a time concept?
Judgement day
Uncountable nouns
Language – unless you use the word language. Do you know the language? Do you understand English? Do you understand the English Language. It is a language barrier.
Job unless you use the word job. Do you have a job. I have a job. Have you finished the job?
A story: The story I most like to hear. Have you heard the story. May I tell you a story.
A sport: The sport. I play a sport. I play the sport.
Go to the farm. Go to a farm.
Prison, jail, school,