Definite

We use a definite article when both the speaker and the listener know what particular person or thing they are talking about, or when we have already mentioned the thing we are talking about.

We also use the to talk about:

• geographical points (the equator, the North Pole)

• rivers, canals, seas, oceans (the Thames, the English Channel, the Adriatic, the Pacific)

• deserts (the Sahara)

• groups of islands (the Canary Islands)

• chains of mountains (the Alps, the Himalayas)

• regions (the Riviera)

• certain countries (the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States)

• ships (the Titanic)

• public buildings (the cinema, the theatre, the museum, the Odeon, the Hilton (hotel))

• newspapers (the Times)

• unique items (the Sun, the world, the White House)

• musical instruments (the guitar)

• classes of people (the British, the rich)

• parts of the day (the morning)

• superlatives (the best)

• ordinals (the first)

There are two ways to pronounce (= say) the:

• /ðə/ - in front of consonant sounds

• /ði:/ - in front of vowel sounds

For more practice, watch these videos: