Correct Usage of the article THE

The is considered the definite article. Meaning to say, it is only used before specific or definite  nouns. But other than that, it also has special uses.

In this blog, you will learn the correct usage of the article the.

1. The is used before a noun that is mentioned for the second time.   A noun being mentioned for the first time is generally considered indefinite or unspecified. Therefore, the should not be used before it.

I have a cat. It has brown eyes. ... The cat likes to sleep on my bed.

If you noticed, the noun cat in the first sentence is preceded by the article a since it is not yet known to my listener or reader. But in the last sentence, I already used the article the for my listener or reader knows that cat is the same with the one I previously mentioned.

2. The is always used before the superlative degree of adjectives.

Sam is the most intelligent in class. (not most intelligent)

3. Use the before the adjective SAME.

We have the same teacher since morning.

Note: Same can also be preceded by this and that.

4. The is used before nouns that are considered one of a kind.

the sky

the earth

the sun

the world

the moon

the universe
the beach

5. We also use the before names of canals, rivers, seas and oceans.

the Suez Canal

the Nile River

the Mediterranean Sea

the Pacific Ocean

6. Use the before names of musical instruments (if we mean to play them).

I want to play the cello.

The cello is my favorite musical instrument.

but

Dave wants to buy a cello.

or 

Sandra wants to buy the cello. 

(a particular cello-known to the speaker and the listener)

7. Put the before names of countries ending with 's'.

the Netherlands

the Philippines

8. We also put the before names of countries with States, Kingdom and Republic.

the United States of America

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

the Dominican Republic

9. We usually put the before names with the 'of phrase'.

the University of the East

the House of Congress

the Great Wall of China 

10. We use the before adjectives (not followed by nouns) that are considered as nouns.

The poor need help from the government.

11. We use the before the noun radio.

I love listening to the radio early in the morning.

12. We usually use the before the different areas of a building or campus.

Andrew is in the office now.

My brother is in the dining room.

13. As a definite article, the is used before particular nouns.

Manila is the capital of the Philippines.

Please pass the sugar.

The people I work with are funny.

The Lee's in Korea are famous.