The Definite Article

Form of Definite Article

The definite article is "the". Unlike the indefinite articles which have only singular, the definite article "the" has the same form for both singular and plural. And the definite article is the same for all genders also.

the man

the men

the  woman

the women

the boy

the boys

the girl

the girls

the tree

the trees

When to Use Definite Article

In General, the definite article "the" is used before nouns that are considered as the only ones in a particular sense or of which there is only one.

the sky

the sea

the weather

the North Pole

the earth

Similarly, the definite article "the" is also used before a noun, which is name of sea, river, chain of mountains, group of islands, plural name of countries, to indicate that the specified noun is not considered as a singular countable noun in particular sense.

the Atlantic Ocean

the Pacific Ocean

the Thames

the Alps

the Himalayas

the Kravan Mountains

the Orkneys

the Netherlands

the U.S.A.

the Soviet Union

the China Sea

the Mekong River

the Canary island

the Philippines

the Panama Canal

the Persian Gulf

the Bay of Biscay

the Black Forests

The definite article "the" is also used before a noun that has been mentioned once before to indicate that the specified noun has become definite in a particular sense.  For example

I see a man. The man wears a hat.

He live in a flat. The flat is a top floor apartment.

She bought an ice-cream. The ice cream is called chocolate inspiration.

An old woman has a cat. The cat is cute.

There is a tree in the garden. The tree is an oak.

Similarly, the definite article, "the", is used before a noun, which is made definite by the addition of a phrase or clause, to indicate that the specified noun is used in a particular sense.

The man on the horse is John.

The girl who wears a white hat is Mary.

The book that I bought is a dictionary.

The place where I met him was quite noisy.

The man who won the race is Tom.

The definite article, "the" is also used before a noun, which is considered to be the locality of a particular thing, to indicate that the specified noun is used in a paticular sense.

Mary is in the kitchen.

Tom is in the garden.

Please pass the sugar.

Please pass the milk.

I will see the doctor.

Sometime, the definite article, "the" is used before a singular noun, which is used to be represent a class of objects or things, to indicate that the specified noun is used in paticular sense.

The ant is industrious.

The bee is a diligent insect.

The cuckoo is a lazy bird.

The elephant is an intelligent animal.

Similarly, the definite article, "the" is also used before an adjective, which is used to be represent a class of persons, to indicate that the specified adjective is used in a paticular sense.

We should help the poor.

The strong should help the weak.

They try to help the needy.

There is a gap between the rich and the poor

In emergency or disaster mangement, most efforts are being concentrated on the identification of the missing, the care of the living and injured, and the coordinate management of the dead.

The restaurant is a hang-out place for the beautiful, the famous and the rich.

Sometimes, the definite article, "the" is used before a abstract noun to indicate that the specified noun is used in a paticular sense.

The period after the death of Alexander the Great is known as the Hellenistic period.

Similarly, the definite article, "the" is also used before a proper name to indicate that the specified proper name is used in a paticular sense.

the King's Theatre

the South China Restaurant

the President of France

the Treaty of Paris

the Declaration of Independence

Besides, the definite article, "the" is also used before the superlative adjectives to indicate that the specified adjective is used in a paticular sense.

He is the tallest man on earth.

Rafflesia arnoldii produces the largest individual flower of any plant on Earth.

The Sancy diamond is one of the most expensive diamonds in the World.

Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain peak in Hawaii.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the Himalayas.

When Not to Use Definite Article

The definite article, "the" is not used before abstract nouns that are used in a general sense.  For example

Beauty is truth

Men fear death.

Similarly, the definite article, "the" is also not used before a place, which is refered as the related activity for the primary purpose of the specified place in a general sense.

He goes to school.

We go to church.

She goes to market.

He goes to prison.

He goes to bed.

And the definite article, "the" is also not used before a place, e.g. home or town, which is refered as the direct related activity  for the primary purpose of the specified place in a general sense.

He goes to town alone.

He stayed at home yesterday.

The definite article, "the" is not used before a proper name, e.g. country, town, street, or road, that is refered to a specific singular unique thing in a particular sense.

As a travel photographer, he travels to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Tibet, the Philippines.

Buckingham Palace is located in the Westminster district of London between The Green Park and St. James Park.

Besides, the definite article, "the" is not used before a noun that is possessed and is refered to a specific thing and person in a particular sense.

John's car.

Similarly, the definite article, "the" is also not used before a noun that is preceded by a possessive adjective and is refered to a specific thing and person in a particular sense.

my car.