Previously, we were investigating some of the advanced uses of a/an and zero articles. In this post, we will look at the different ways in which we can utilise “THE.”
- When the noun was previously mentioned:
A charming puppy was standing on our doormat. I decided to take care of the puppy without any hesitation. - When the following phrase identifies the noun: I left the book on the desk (“on the desk” identifies the noun “book”)
- The speaker and listener know the noun the speaker is talking about: Did you remember to feed the cat?
- When the noun describes a unique person, place or thing: the USA
- Used with plural proper nouns: the Bahamas
- With general geographical areas: the beach/the countryside.
- Used before:
- Names of united countries: the USA, the United Kingdom
- Geographical names of seas, oceans, gulfs, deserts, peninsulas, large regions, canals, and rivers: the Persian Gulf
- Mountain ranges: the Himalayas
- Groups of islands: the Galapagos, the British Virgin Islands
- Do not place “the” before:
-
- Single mountains, islands- Mont Blanc, Jamaica
- Continents: Africa
- Most countries: Germany, Holland, India
- Cities, squares, states: London, Queen Square
- Streets, parks
- Bays, single lakes: Hudson Bay, Thames
- Before plural or non count nouns meaning “all” or “general.
Some more rules to remember:
- Use “the” when talking about family as a whole: The Simpsons
- The+the profession+the name of the person: the musician Bob Marley
- Do not use “the” before most singular proper nouns. However, when you are making a general statement, you can use “the”: The plane has influenced the way people think about travelling profoundly.