The „the” 1717USE „the” as a definite article, a determinerWhen you talk about a particular thing or person. The audience cheered and clapped. The janitor opened the door When used before nouns referring to action when they are followed by „of”...the growth of the steel industry To make it clear which thing or person you meanShe laughed at the birthday card. We talked to the guard Before a plural family name, when you refer to all members of the familyThe Johnsons did not come to the party. Referring to something that everyone knowsWhat was the weather like? The traffic was terrible. Before a single noun referring to an istitution, system, shopI heard in on the radio Referring to a part of the bodyHe was wounded in the kne. Before an adjective, to make it a plural nounA school for the deaf. Wars between the French and the English Before an adjective to make it into a noun referring to a particular situationFantasy movies that the unreal seem real Before a singular noun when referring to a particular type of thingThe computer changed everyone’s life. ...complicated dances like the tango Referring to particulat time periodFashions of the 60s. In the thirties.... Enough of something for a particular purposeI haven’t the time to talk just now. To say which type of musical instrument someone playsHe plays the violin Referring to a sport or sport eventWho won the long jump? Before a word describing describing someone angry jelous or surprisedHe’s stolen my parking place the bastard! She is going to Hawaii the lucky devil To emphasize a place or name. It is emphasized in speech and written with emphasisIs she THE Elisabeth Taylor? Miami is THE place for single girls. Before the names of certain common illnessesIf one of the children got the measles, we all got the measles
The Used as an adverb Before comparative adjective or adverb to show that the degree of one event or situation is related to a degree to the other The more he eats the fatter he gets. Before an adjective or adverb to emphasize that something is biggerHe likes you the best. I had the worst headache yesterday
DO NOT USE „the” We drank tee and ate sandwiches. BUT He drunk the tea, but did not eat his sandwich With the name of a languageHe understands Hungarian wellWith words for institutions school, prison church when talking about it in general terms His son is at school. Do yo go to church?With times, days,months, seasons, esp. after at, by, on, or before „last” meaning „the one before this At midnight,... on Tuesday,... in May, ...I saw her last weekWith a date when you write itHis birthday is July 29th. BUT IN SPEECH July the 29th With name of a mealHave you had breakfast? Come around after dinnerWth the name of a place street, town, countryThis is Downing Street. We flew to Boston. BUT some countries, places have „the” as part of their name...the Bronx, the Rockies, the Atlantic
BUT you CAN use „the”When you are talking about something specific, that the listener already knows about We ate the sandwiches (that you made yesterday) When talking about specific institutionsThe church on corner , They go to the school in the village With days or seasons when you give more information about which specific one you mean I fly home on the Tuesday before ChristmasWith nationalty words to mean „the people of a country”She loves the French (ie the French people) To make an adjective into a noun referring to a group..help for the disadvantaged (ie people who are disadvantaged)
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