- Use "the" when both speaker and listener know which specific thing you mean, like second mentions (I saw a dog. The dog was big) or things obvious from context (Close the door)
- Use "the" with unique things (the sun, the moon), superlatives (the best, the biggest), and ordinal numbers (the first, the second)
- Use "the" with musical instruments when speaking generally (I play the piano), parts of the day (in the morning), and decades (in the 1990s)
- For geography, use "the" with oceans/seas, rivers, mountain ranges, and countries with words like "States" or "Kingdom", but not with individual mountains, continents, most countries, or cities
- Pronounce "the" as /ðə/ before consonant sounds (the cat) and /ði/ before vowel sounds (the apple)
Articles in English: Part 2 of 3
This is Part 2 of our 3-part guide to English articles.
In this part, you'll learn how to use the.
Haven’t done Part 1 yet? Start here first: Part 1: What Articles Are + A/An
When you finish this page, continue with Part 3: Zero Article, Common Mistakes and Practice.
The - Definite Article
The means “this specific one”. We use it when both the speaker and the listener know which thing we mean.
When to Use "The"
1. Second mention - something already mentioned:
- I saw a dog in the park. The dog was big.
- She bought a car. The car is red.
2. Unique things - there is only one:
- the sun, the moon, the Earth, the sky, the world
- the president
- the capital
3. Obvious from context:
- Close the door.
- I’m going to the bank.
- What’s the time?
- Can you pass the salt?
4. Superlatives:
- the best, the biggest, the most expensive
- She’s the tallest person in the class.
- This is the most beautiful city I’ve visited.
5. Ordinal numbers:
- the first, the second, the third, the last
- It’s the first time I’ve been here.
- She lives on the second floor.
6. Only / same:
- She’s the only person who knows.
- We have the same book.
7. Musical instruments (when speaking generally):
- I play the piano.
- She plays the guitar.
- He learned the violin.
8. Parts of the day:
- in the morning
- in the afternoon
- in the evening
- Exception: at night
9. Decades:
- in the 1990s
- in the sixties
10. Newspapers and organisations:
- the New York Times
- the United Nations
- the BBC
11. Family names in the plural:
- the Smiths
- the Johnsons
Geography: When Do We Use "The"?
Use "the" with:
- Oceans and seas: the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea
- Rivers: the Thames, the Nile
- Mountain ranges: the Alps, the Himalayas
- Deserts: the Sahara
- Groups of islands: the Canary Islands
- Countries with words like States, Kingdom or Republic: the United States, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic
Do NOT usually use "the" with:
- Mount Everest
- Europe, Asia, Africa
- Germany, France, Japan
- Berlin, Paris, Tokyo
- Main Street
- Lake Michigan
- Bali, Sicily
Pronunciation of "The"
Before consonant sounds: /ðə/
- the cat
- the dog
Before vowel sounds: /ði/
- the apple
- the hour
Need a quick recap of a/an first? Go back to Part 1.
Ready for the final part? Continue to Part 3: Zero Article, Common Mistakes and Practice.
Part of the LearnFast.life Grammar Series
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