The

1. The Definite Article
The

2. The definite article THE is used:
• with countable and uncountable nouns in
singular and plural forms.
• The music, the man, the cakes
when the noun is known or mentioned for
a second time.
(we can answer WHO? or WHICH?)
I translated a text. The text was difficult.
• with unique nouns or when there is only
one of the things we are talking about.
The sun, the Earth, the moon, the
President, the government, the environment

3. • with the names of musical instruments
and dances.
The piano, the tango, the clarinet
• we do not use THE with sports.
Tennis, football, golf
• with adjectives/adverbs in the superlative
form.
English is the most pleasant
language I’ve ever heard.
• with the words only, last, first (used as
adjectives).
She is the only woman I trust.

4. • with historical periods or events.
The Middle Ages, the Second World War
(World War II)
• with the words morning, afternoon and
evening.
In the morning
• with nationality words and names of
families.
The Ukrainians, the Johnsons
• with titles when the name is not
mentioned.
The Queen (but Queen Mary)

5. • with the words station, shop, cinema, pub,
library, city, village, theatre, newspaper, police,
etc.
I read about the accident in the newspaper.
The police came to the station.
• a phrase with of usually takes THE.
A book on Ukrainian history
A book on the history of Ukraine
• The + a singular noun (an animal or invention,
discovery) to make general statements about
them.
The tiger can swim (all tigers). Who invented the
camera?

6. General and specific meanings

7. General
• Zero article is used when a plural or
uncountable noun has a general
meaning.
Flats are expensive to buy.
Dolphins are intelligent mammals.
Tom is studying music (all music in general).

8. Specific
• THE + a plural or uncountable noun has a
specific meaning.
The flats are really expensive in Kyiv.
We saw the dolphins at the zoo.
Tom is playing the music now. (the music of
a specific style, at a specific time, a song).

9. Prison or the prison?

10. Compare the situations:
• The man went to prison two years ago.
(he is a prisoner)
• The woman went to the prison to visit her
husband.
ALSO: School, college, university, hospital,
church, jail
BUT: the cinema, the factory, the house,
the station, the pub, the office, the shop
(buildings)

11. Continents, countries, islands

12. • Most are without THE:
Africa, England. Florida, Rhode Island
• Countries with republic and kingdom have
THE:
The Irish Republic, the United Kingdom
(the UK)
• Plural names also have THE:
The Netherlands, the USA, the Canary
Islands

13. Regions

15. …
• Hills and mountains do not take THE:
Everest, North Hill

16. Lakes
• Lakes are used
without THE
Lake Michigan,
Lake Ontario
• The
Mediterranean
(Sea), the
Atlantic
(Ocean), the
(River)
Thames, the
Suez Canal
Oceans, seas, rivers,
canals

17. Cities, towns, suburbs, villages

19. Roads, streets, squares and parks

20. Bridges

23. Theatres, cinemas, hotels, galleries, and centres

24. Shops and restaurants:

25. Thanks for your
attention!!!