mpt · CSS study notes
Part 2 — The: Complete Rules with Examples
The basic idea
Use the when the listener can identify the exact person or thing meant.
The noun can be singular, plural, countable, or uncountable.
the book
the books
the water in this glass
1. Something already mentioned
I saw a dog. The dog was barking.
First mention uses a.
Second mention uses the because the dog is now identified.
2. Something clear from the situation
Please close the door.
The speaker and listener know which door is meant.
Turn off the light.
3. A noun identified by a phrase or clause
The book on the table belongs to me.
The students who passed the test will be interviewed.
The water in this bottle is cold.
The modifying words identify the exact noun.
4. Unique things
the sun
the moon
the earth
the sky
the world
Examples
The sun rises in the east.
The earth moves around the sun.
5. Superlatives
the best student
the tallest building
the most difficult question
Example
This is the best answer.
6. Ordinal numbers
the first chapter
the second attempt
the last question
Example
He was the first person to arrive.
7. Only, same and whole
the only solution
the same answer
the whole day
Examples
This is the only available option.
We gave the same answer.
8. Adjective representing a class
the rich
the poor
the elderly
the unemployed
These expressions refer to groups of people and take plural verbs.
The poor need support.
The elderly deserve respect.
9. Nationality groups
the British
the French
the Chinese
the Japanese
Example
The British have a long parliamentary tradition.
For an individual, use a suitable countable noun:
a British citizen
a French woman
10. Musical instruments
In traditional general statements, use the.
She plays the violin.
He is learning the piano.
Sports do not normally take the:
He plays cricket.
11. Inventions and species as a class
Who invented the telephone?
The tiger is endangered.
Plural general forms are also possible:
Tigers are endangered.
12. Comparatives showing parallel change
Use the … the …
The more you practise, the better you become.
The sooner, the better.
The first the means “by how much”; the second shows the corresponding result.
13. Parts of the body after certain verbs
English often uses the instead of a possessive after verbs such as hit, take, catch, seize.
He hit me on the head.
She caught him by the arm.
14. Decades, centuries and historical periods
the 1990s
the twenty-first century
the Middle Ages
Example
The internet expanded rapidly in the 1990s.
15. Directions and regions
Use the when a direction names a region.
the north of Pakistan
the Middle East
the West
But no article in ordinary directional expressions:
Go north.
Turn east.
16. Newspapers, hotels, theatres and museums
The News
The Times
the Serena Hotel
the National Museum
the Globe Theatre
17. Public bodies and organizations
the United Nations
the World Bank
the Supreme Court
the National Assembly
18. A family as a group
Use the + plural surname.
the Khans
the Smiths
Example
The Khans live next door.
19. Specific plural and uncountable nouns
General plural
Books are useful.
Specific plural
The books on this shelf are useful.
General uncountable
Water is essential.
Specific uncountable
The water in this glass is dirty.
20. Historical events and well-known documents
the Second World War
the Renaissance
the Constitution
Use depends on the established proper name and context.
Common errors
Sun rises in east. ❌
The sun rises in the east. ✅
He is best player. ❌
He is the best player. ✅
Rich should help poor. ❌
The rich should help the poor. ✅
She plays violin. ❌ in traditional examination English
She plays the violin. ✅