Definite article The

Articles The, A and An - Exercises and Quiz

These exercises focus on articles and their usage

What is "The"?

The word "the" is called a definite article because it refers to something specific, or definite, rather than something general. For example:

• "I saw the movie" (refers to one specific movie that both the speaker and listener know about).

• "I saw a movie" (any movie, not specific).

When to Use "The"

Use "The" for Specific Things

"The" points to a specific item, person, or place that the listener or reader already knows about or can easily identify.

• Example: "Please pass me the salt." (The salt on the table, not just any salt.)

• Explanation: Here, both the speaker and listener know which salt is being referred to, so "the" makes it clear.

Use "The" for Unique Items

When something is unique or there is only one of it in the world, use "the."

• Example: "The sun rises in the east."

• Explanation: There is only one sun, so "the" shows that we’re talking about this specific sun.

Use "The" for Places and Locations

For certain places and locations, especially when referring to them by a known name, use "the."

• Example: "I visited the Eiffel Tower."

• Explanation: We use "the" because it refers to one specific landmark.

Use "The" with Superlatives

"The" is always used with superlative adjectives because they highlight something as the "most" or "best" among all.

• Example: "She is the best player on the team."

• Explanation: "The best" shows that she is specifically ranked as number one.

Use "The" with Groups or Classes

"The" can refer to a whole group, class, or category of things or people.

• Example: "The rich should help the poor."

• Explanation: Here, "the" refers to all rich people as a group and all poor people as a group.

When Not to Use "The"

There are times when "the" is not needed, especially when speaking generally.

• With General Ideas:

"I love chocolate." (not "the chocolate" because it means chocolate in general, not a specific piece).

• With Proper Nouns:

Names like "John" or "Paris" don’t need "the" (e.g., "John is coming over" not "The John").

Common Errors with "The"

Everyday Examples with "The"

• "I met the teacher." (Refers to a specific teacher, perhaps one that both people know.)

• "The internet is down today." (Refers to the internet we all use and know about.)

• "He is the manager of our team." (One specific manager.)

FAQ

What is the main use of "the"?

"The" is used to refer to a specific or known noun.

Do we use "the" with people's names?

Generally, no. However, it’s sometimes used for family names ("the Johnsons") or famous figures ("the Queen").

Why do we say "the sun" but not "the John"?

"The sun" is unique (only one exists), while "John" is a general name that doesn’t need a definite article.

Can we use "the" before countries?

Not usually, except for countries with names like "the Netherlands" or "the United States."

Is "the" used with superlatives?

Yes, always. Example: "She is the tallest in the class."