English Classes

Nivel
Elementary
A1 – A2
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 Definite Article THE
Unit 2
The definite article is the word “The” this is used to give information about particular or known nouns.
These are usually things that have been mentioned before or that the listener is familiar with.

Example:
• “I went to see a tattoo artist.”
• “The tattoo artist has given me an appointment next week.”

• It is clear that in the first sentence, the speaker did not go to see a particular tattoo
artist. He/she went to see any tattoo artist and was speaking to a friend about the
same. The tattoo artist in this case has either not been mentioned before or is not that
important, and therefore their identity is unknown.

• Whereas in the second sentence, the speaker refers to the tattoo artist that had
already been mentioned before. The identity is already known, therefore, “the” has
been used to refer the tattoo artist.
 Definite Article THE
Unit 2

We use THE with:

1. A singular or plural noun when it is clear/obvious
which person or thing we are talking about:

• There is a lamp in my bedroom. (we mention the

lamp for the first time)
• The lamp is next to the desk.

2. Anything which we identify immediately.

• We watched the new Brad Pitt movie last night.

 Definite Article THE
Unit 2

We use THE with:

3. Musical instruments (the violin, the guitar, the drums, the

flute, the piccolo).

• She plays the piano.

4. Count and Non-count Nouns The can either be used with non-
count nouns or the article can be omitted entirely.

• She liked to sail over the water.”

 Definite Article THE
Unit 2
We use THE with:

5. Something that is unique or there is only one.

• the sun
• the moon
• the internet.

6. In Case of Geography
• Names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Ganga, the India Ocean
• Points on the globe: the Equator, the South Pole
• Geographical areas: the South East, the Asia Pacific deserts,
forests, gulfs, and Peninsulas: the Kalahari, the Sunderbans
 Definite Article THE
Unit 2

Other Rules for the Geographical Use:

7. Typically, the article the is not used before the names of countries
and territories:
• Our flight to China was canceled.

However, the is used before countries whose names are plural in

form:
• Have you ever been to the Netherlands ?

8. The is also used with countries whose names include the

words states, kingdom, or republic:
• My sister lives in the United States .
• My brother lives in the United Kingdom .
 Definite Article THE
Unit 2
Do not use THE before:

1. names of most countries/territories:

• India, Brazil, Canada; however, the Netherlands, the Dominican
Republic, the Philippines, the United States

2. names of cities, towns, or states:

• Toronto, Delhi, Sao Paolo

3. names of streets:
• Callowhill Drive, Park Avenue

4. names of lakes and bays:

• Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario; except while referring to a group of
lakes – the Great Lakes
 Definite Article THE
Unit 2

Do not use THE before:

5. names of mountains:
• Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains like
the Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn

6. names of continents:
• Asia, Europe

7. names of islands:
• Easter Island, Maui, Key West except with island chains like the
Andaman Islands, the Canary Islands
Definite Article THE
Unit 2
English Classes
Nivel
Elementary
A1 – A2
INGLÉS FACIL Y RAPIDO
iknowenglishof@gmail.com