Definite article (the)
Beginner (A1)en
Definite article – the
Definite Article (the)
1. What Is the Definite Article?
The is a word we use to talk about specific people or things.
The is a word we use to talk about specific people or things.
- Use the when the listener knows which person or thing we mean.
Examples:
- the cat
- the book
- the school
2. Using “the”
Structure: the + noun
Examples:
- the sun
- the car
- the teacher
Sentences:
- The book on the table is mine.
- She is talking to the teacher.
- I saw the dog in the garden.
Tip: We use the with singular and plural nouns:
- The dog is cute.
- The dogs are cute.
3. When Do We Use “the”?
a) Something specific
- I want to eat the apple you gave me.
b) Something mentioned before
- I saw a cat. The cat was black.
c) Unique things (one thing)
- the sun, the moon, the earth
d) With superlatives
- She is the tallest girl in the class.
- This is the most interesting movie.
e) With certain places
- the park, the cinema, the restaurant
4. Important Notes
- Do not use the with general plural nouns or uncountable nouns when talking generally:
→ I like cats. (general)
→ I like the cats in my street. (specific)
→ I like the cats in my street. (specific)
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Definite article – the
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Related Vocabulary
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Definite article – the
A1Definite Article
1 wordsthe
determiner
Used to specify a noun as something already known or identified.
The book on the table is mine.