Definite Article - THE 1. When there is only one The pope is coming. The president of The United States is here. The moon is bright tonight.
OR a specific thing/s , person or people. She was the woman who invented radium. The students in room A not the students in room B. The counselor told me to take a break.
Definite Article - THE 2. Where there is only one in that place.
It’s near the Bank in our village.
Can I borrow the car (the family car)
We stayed in Noosa on the beach. Not the beach next to it.
3. After it has been introduced once.
There was a car outside. Several hours later the car was gone.
Definite Article - THE 4. Superlatives The tallest person in the room. The largest building on campus. My sister is the smartest person in her class.
Definite Article - THE 5. To talk about all things referred to by a noun.
The koala is a very unique animal.
Its not as unique as the kangaroo.
6. A system or service
The train stops every hour
I hear it on the radio
Tell the police immediately.
Definite Article - THE
Countries with plural names
The united states, the Philippines
Countries with kingdom, republics
The United Arab Emirates,
The peoples republic of China.
Hotels, Newspapers
The new York Times, The Hyatt.
No article 7. Places (institutions) in general not the actual place ----(often after go)
I go to university every day
She went to hospital this morning.
The robbers went to prison.
(but if you talk about the building rather than the institution - use the article)
E.g. I went to the prison to see him.
She went to the school to see her son’s teacher.
No article 8. To talk about things or people in general
Kangaroos are amazing creatures.
Millions of people take drugs every day.
Houses have always cost a lot of money.
9. With Names
Beyonce
William Shakespeare
Articles ď‚Ą
Adapted from
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-gra