Definite article (the) or no (x) article

The is the only definite article in English; it is also gender and number neutral. This article is normally
used before a noun when the speaker/writer believes the listener/reader already knows what it´s being
referred to. Here are other scenarios:

When to use “the”

To refer to something that has
been mentioned before.
To refer to a particular person or
object.
To refer to unique people or
objects.
Before superlatives or ordinal
numbers.
To refer to all the objects or
people they are referred to by a
noun.
With decades
With countries that have the
words “republic”, “kingdom,” or
“states.”
With countries that have plural
names.
Landmarks
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy
written by Shakespeare. The play
has been one of the most
performed ones throughout
history.
I live in the white house with the
brown fence.
The moon and the stars.
That is my favorite restaurant in
the world.
The biggest house in the
neighborhood.
This is the third year we work
together.
I think the rich should pay more
taxes than the poor.
I was born in the eighties.
WWII took place in the 1940s.
The Republic of Ireland.
The United States of America.
The Netherlands.
The Philippines.
The Statue of Liberty.
The Eiffel Tower.
Pluto is Mickey’s pet. The
dog is yellow with black
ears, nose and tail.
The red car with the flat tire
is mine.
The earth is the third planet
of the solar system.
The Bugatti La Voiture is
the most expensive car in
the world, the second is the
Rolls-Royce Sweptail.
The football players are
faster than the baseball
players.
Toyota was founded in the
1930s.
The Mexican Republic.
The Maldives.
The Big Ben.

When not to use “the”

Names of countries (except the ones mentioned I would like to visit Italy.
above) He just came back from Bolivia.
Names of languages French is also spoken in America.
Spanish has many words of Latin origin.
Names of meals We are having lunch together.
Breakfast is my favorite meal.
People´s names I saw Lisa yesterday.
Ana is leaving tomorrow.
Titles + names President Obama and Queen Elizabeth met this
weekend.
After a possessive Pete´s car is parked outside.
That is my sister´s sweater.
With professions He decided to study engineering.
Medicine is a difficult career.
Names of shops I´m going to Wal-Mart.
She is taking the kids to McDonald´s.
Years My grandfather was born in 1940.
Uncountable nouns I use real butter to bake.
Clay forms as a result of chemical weathering
of rocks.
Names of mountains, lakes, islands, towns, She lives on Main St.
streets and stations. By Lake Ontario, Canada.