English Grammar
THE: definite article
When to use the definite article 'the'.
The most frequently-used word in English is 'the'.
It is the only definite article in English and it is the same for singular and plural nouns.
Below is an explanation concerning the use of 'the'.
| 1) The definite article 'the' designates a specific person, place or event as shown below: | |
| Specific things. |
The book I bought is interesting. Pass me the sugar please. The milk is in the refrigerator. |
| Hotels, monuments, buildings, museums, cinemas, theatres. | The Ritz, The Tower of London, The Empire State building, The Louvre, The Odeon Cinema, The Royal Theatre |
| Mountain ranges, rivers, seas, oceans. | The Alps,
The Mississippi, The Black Sea, The Pacific Ocean. |
| Groups of states or islands | The United States of America, The Bahamas. |
2) No article is used in the following cases : |
|
| Generalisations | Sugar is sweet. Caviar is expensive. |
| Streets, squares, etc. | Oxford Street, Time Square |
| Names of mountains and lakes | Mount Everest, Lake Ontario |
| Countries (except groups as above) | England, France, Japan, India, etc. |
| Continents | Europe, Africa, Asia, America, Australia |