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
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.
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.
Rich people don’t know how poor people live
Rich people don’t know how the poor live
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
Cheetahs are found in Africa
The definite article examples
The Pope is visiting Russia.
The bus is at the bus stop.
The moon is very bright tonight.
Who is the president of France?
Use the definite article with a superlative adjective:
He is the tallest boy in the class.
It is the oldest building in the town.
More definite article examples
Today I am taking the bus.
May I borrow the car
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,