When to Use THE: Essential Rules for English Learners

Last updated on July 31, 2024 by Grammargeek

The reference covers key information about the definite article “THE,” including its rules and proper usage. You will learn when to use “the” to refer to a specific noun, such as “the man” or “the dog.” This knowledge will help make your sentences clearer and improve your fluency in English.

What is the Definite Article THE?

When to Use THE
When to Use THE – Created by 7ESL

The definite article ‘the’ is used to specify and identify. It answers the question, “Which one?” This means ‘the’ can indicate a particular person, place, or thing that you have already mentioned. It can be used with both singular and plural nouns. For example:

  • The cat (refers to a specific cat)
  • The cats (refers to specific cats)

The definite article refers to something specific that is known to you. It can mean “this” or “that“.

When to Use THE?

Superlative Degree

Use “the” in superlative forms:

Names of Rivers, Seas, Oceans, Bays, and Banks

Use “the” with:

  • Rivers: The Amazon
  • Seas: The Black Sea
  • Oceans: The Atlantic Ocean
  • Bays: The Guanabara Bay
  • Banks: The Bank of America

Hotels

Use “the” with hotel names:

  • The California Hotel

Kings and Queens

Use “the” before “King” or “Queen” if not followed by a name:

  • The King of Morocco
  • The Queen of Sweden

Do not use “the” if followed by a name:

  • King Mohammed VI
  • Queen Silvia

Musical Instruments

Use “the” before names of musical instruments:

  • I taught myself how to play the piano.
  • He played the tune on the horn.

Mountains and Hills

Do not use “the” with single mountains or hills:

  • Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Nanda Devi

Use “the” with mountain ranges:

  • The Eastern Ghats
  • The Aravalli

Ordinals

Use “the” with ordinals:

  • He was the first person to set foot on the moon.
  • The elevator broke down and we had to walk up the eighth floor.

Times of Day and Week

Use “the” for specific times:

  • All the morning
  • All the afternoon
  • All the evening
  • All the week

Government Departments, Shops, etc.

Use “the” with names of government offices, shops, and banks unless they begin with a personal name:

  • The Ministry of Defence
  • The Sydney Opera House
  • The Agricultural Bank of China

Roads

May use or omit “the” for road names:

  • Susie used to live on Dudley Road.
  • I meet him at a club in the Steve Road.

Purpose of Buildings

Use “the” when referring to visits or inspections:

  • Go to the church (visit)
  • He had to go to hospital for treatment. (Purpose: treatment)
  • I’m going to the hospital to visit my brother. (visit)

Substances in General Sense

Do not use “the”:

Use “the” for specific instances:

  • The gold mined here is of poor quality.
  • The oil from the vats is used for cooking.

Generic Singular

Use “the” to represent all of a kind:

  • The whale is in danger of becoming extinct.

Unique Entities

Use “the” for unique things:

  • The world
  • The sea
  • The sky

Understood Nouns

Use “the” before adjectives when the noun is understood:

  • Jeans are popular among the young.

Comparatives

Use “the” as an adverb with comparatives:

  • The longer you keep this wine, the better it tastes.
  • The more you care, the more you have to lose.
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