2. The definite articleThe definite article thethe is the mostis the most
frequent word in English.frequent word in English.
We use the definite article in front of a
noun when we believe the
hearer/reader knows exactly what we
are referring to.
Example: The dog over there is growing!
3. When there is only oneWhen there is only one
Because there is only one:
Examples:
The Pope is visiting Russia.
The moon is very bright tonight.
The Shah of Iran was deposed in 1979
4. When there is a superlativeWhen there is a superlative
adjectiveadjective
When there is a superlative adjective
Examples:
He is the tallest boy in the class
It is the oldest building in town
5. There is only one in a place orThere is only one in a place or
areaarea
There is only one in a place or in an
area
We live in a small village next to the
church =
The church in our village
Mom, can I borrow the car? =
The car that belongs to the family.
Other examples? Please share class!
6. Because we have alreadyBecause we have already
mentioned itmentioned it
When we have already mentioned it
Example:
A dog fell 10 feet when he jumped out of
the window =
The dog fell while jumping.
Please work together and create a few
examples to share with the class. You can
create a story and follow the above
example.
7. Referring to all the things referredReferring to all the things referred
to by a nounto by a noun
Referring to all the things referred to by
a noun
Examples: The elephant is a huge animal!
(Elephants are huge animals)
The dog is man’s best friend
(Dogs are man’s best friend)
The Kangaroo is found only in Australia
(Kangaroos are found only in Australia)
8. Musical InstrumentsMusical Instruments
We use the definite article for musical
instruments
Example:
I play the piano.
Doug is learning to play the guitar.
In questions we drop the article:
How many trombones do you own?
How many flutes are in the cabinet?
9. Systems and ServicesSystems and Services
Systems and Services
Examples:
How
long does it take on the train?’
I heard it on the radio.
10. Definite Article with NamesDefinite Article with Names
The definite article with names
We do not use it normally.
Examples: William Shakespeare wrote
Hamlet.
Paris is the capital of France.
Iran is in the Middle East.
12. Countries with Plural NounsCountries with Plural Nouns
Countries with plural nouns
The Netherlands
The Philippines
Any others???
13. Adjectives for Groups of PeopleAdjectives for Groups of People
Adjectives for Groups of People
The rich
The poor
The elderly
What else can you think of?
15. Newspapers, Buildings and ArtNewspapers, Buildings and Art
Newspapers and well known buildings/art
The Empire State Building
The Taj Mahal
The Mona Lisa
16. Hotels, Pubs and RestaurantsHotels, Pubs and Restaurants
Hotels, Pubs and Restaurants*
The Ritz, The Carlton
* If the hotel name is the name of an
owner, we drop the article, also some
exceptions such as Best Western, not The
Best Western.
Editor's Notes
Mountain ranges, groups of islands, rivers, seas, oceans and canals
