Using 'The' for Shared Knowledge

Use the when both speaker and listener know which thing you mean (context, unique, obvious).

beginner

When to Use

•When there is only one in the situation: the door, the teacher (in a classroom).
•When the listener can identify it from context: the car (we arrived in), the meeting (we planned).
•With unique things: the sun, the internet, the world.
•With superlatives/ordinals (often): the best, the first.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Use the + noun when it is definite (identifiable).

Negative (-)

Do not use the for general plural/uncountable nouns (Cats are friendly; Water is essential).

Question (?)

Can the listener identify which one? If yes, use the.

💡 Definite does not always mean 'mentioned before'. Context can make it definite (Close the window — the window in this room).

Examples

✓Can you close the window?

✗Can you close a window?

In the room, it is clear which window is meant.

✓I left my bag in the car.

✗I left my bag in a car.

Both people know which car (the one you used).

✓The sun is bright today.

There is only one sun (unique reference).

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Ask: Which one exactly? If the answer is obvious, use 'the'.
• Use 'the' with things in a known situation: the kitchen, the bathroom (in a house).
• Check if you mean general (no article) or specific (the).

articles-first-mention-second-mention zero-article

Using 'The' for Shared Knowledge

Use the when both speaker and listener know which thing you mean (context, unique, obvious).

beginner

When to Use

•When there is only one in the situation: the door, the teacher (in a classroom).
•When the listener can identify it from context: the car (we arrived in), the meeting (we planned).
•With unique things: the sun, the internet, the world.
•With superlatives/ordinals (often): the best, the first.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Use the + noun when it is definite (identifiable).

Negative (-)

Do not use the for general plural/uncountable nouns (Cats are friendly; Water is essential).

Question (?)

Can the listener identify which one? If yes, use the.

💡 Definite does not always mean 'mentioned before'. Context can make it definite (Close the window — the window in this room).

Examples

✓Can you close the window?

✗Can you close a window?

In the room, it is clear which window is meant.

✓I left my bag in the car.

✗I left my bag in a car.

Both people know which car (the one you used).

✓The sun is bright today.

There is only one sun (unique reference).

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Ask: Which one exactly? If the answer is obvious, use 'the'.
• Use 'the' with things in a known situation: the kitchen, the bathroom (in a house).
• Check if you mean general (no article) or specific (the).

articles-first-mention-second-mention zero-article

Using 'The' for Shared Knowledge

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Using 'The' for Shared Knowledge

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗I like the music. (general preference)

✗She is the doctor. (profession, general)

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗I like the music. (general preference)

✗She is the doctor. (profession, general)

💡 Practice Tips

Related