Practice
The definite article: rules and examples
Compare I bought a book with I bought the book. The first sentence introduces any book. The second points to one book that the listener can identify from the conversation or situation.
Choose the before a noun when the listener can identify the particular person, thing, place, or group you mean.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
the /ðə/, /ði/
The short answer
Use the when the noun is specific for both the speaker and the listener. Ask whether the listener can reasonably identify the exact person, thing, or place.
Please close the window next to your desk.
Why it works: The phrase next to your desk identifies one particular window.
5 more examples
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I met a teacher after class, and the teacher gave me a useful website.
The second sentence refers back to the teacher already introduced.
Not this:I met
a teacherafter class. What changes: At this point, the listener does not know which teacher the speaker means. -
Could you pass the salt, please?
At a meal, the situation usually makes the intended container of salt clear.
Not this:I need
some saltfor this recipe. What changes: The speaker means an amount of salt, not one identified container. -
The manager called the client before the meeting.
The work situation identifies the particular client connected with the meeting.
Not this:The manager needs to call
a clienttoday. What changes: Any suitable client could fit this sentence. -
We watched the sun disappear behind the hills.
In ordinary conversation about Earth, the sun names one familiar object.
Not this:
A suncan be part of a science-fiction story. What changes: Here the speaker treats sun as one example in an imagined setting. -
The keys on the kitchen table belong to Omar.
The added phrase identifies which keys the speaker means.
Not this:
Keysare easy to lose. What changes: This is a general statement about keys, so it does not need an article.
Read the full guide
Start with the listener's knowledge. Use the if the situation, a previous sentence, or a unique role tells the listener which noun you mean. Use a or an when you are introducing one example and the listener does not yet know which one.
Point to one identified noun
Use the when your words point to one particular noun. The listener may see it, know it from the setting, or understand it from the rest of the sentence.
Please turn off the light by the door.
Please turn off a light would sound different because it does not identify which light.
You are in a room with one open door. Which article fits: Please close ___ door?
Use the because the room makes one door clear.
Use the on the second mention
A common pattern is to introduce a noun with a or an and use the when you mention the same noun again. The first mention adds it to the conversation. The second points back to it.
Mina found a wallet. She took the wallet to the front desk.
A wallet is new information. The wallet is the wallet that Mina found.
Complete the second sentence: We chose a restaurant. ___ restaurant was near the station.
Use The restaurant because it refers to the restaurant already chosen.
Let a phrase identify the noun
A noun can be specific because words after it limit the meaning. A phrase such as on the table, in your email, or that starts at nine can show the listener exactly which thing you mean.
The email from the travel company explains the new schedule.
An email from a travel company could be any one of several emails.
Choose the article: I cannot find ___ file with the budget notes.
Use the because with the budget notes identifies the particular file.
Use the for a familiar unique reference
Some nouns name one familiar item in the usual context. We say the sun, the moon, and the internet when the reference is clear to the listener. This is still about shared knowledge.
The moon was bright enough to light the path.
A moon can describe one moon in a story about another planet.
Which is usual when you mean the familiar object in the sky at night: a moon or the moon?
Use the moon when the listener understands the usual Earth-based reference.
Leave out the when you mean things in general
Plural and uncountable nouns often have no article when you mean a whole category or idea. Add the when you narrow the meaning to a particular group or amount.
Students need time to rest during the week.
The students in our evening class need time to rest after the exam.
Choose the form for a general statement: ___ coffee can keep some people awake.
Use Coffee with no article because the sentence discusses coffee in general.
Before you go
Remember this
Use the when the listener can identify the noun you mean. That identification can come from an earlier mention, the current setting, a describing phrase, or a familiar unique reference. When the noun is new or general, choose a different article or no article.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "The definite article: rules and examples"
What does the definite article mean?
The definite article is the word the. Use it when a noun is specific enough for the listener to identify. The noun may be clear because it was mentioned before, because the situation shows it, or because extra words identify it.
I met a teacher after class, and the teacher gave me a useful website.
Why do I use the after a or an?
Use a or an when you first introduce one person or thing. Once that noun is part of the conversation, use the to refer back to the same one. For example, you can introduce a teacher and then talk about the teacher.
I met a teacher after class.
Can I use the with plural nouns?
Yes. Use the with a plural noun when you mean a particular group, such as the students in my class. Do not use it when you mean people or things in general, as in Students need sleep.
Could you pass the salt, please?
Can I use the with uncountable nouns?
Yes, when the amount or kind is specific. Compare Water is important with The water in this bottle is cold. The first sentence makes a general statement. The second identifies one particular amount of water.
I need some salt for this recipe.
Do all place names use the?
No. Many place names, including most city and country names, do not use the. Some names do use it, especially names that describe a group, a region, or a geographical feature. Learn each place name with its usual article pattern.
The manager called the client before the meeting.