The definite article ‘the’

The definite article ‘the’: How and when to use it. English grammar with exercises. Free eBook and Free printable PDF. Esl printable Worksheets

The definite article ‘the’

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The definite article ‘the’

The definite article the is the most frequent word in English.

We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to:

– because there is only one:

The Pope is visiting Canada.

– because there is only one in that context:

We live in a small house next to the school.

– because we have already mentioned it.

We also use the definite article:

– to say something about all the things referred to by a noun:

The wolf is not really a dangerous animal. (= Wolves are not really dangerous animals.)

We use the definite article in this way to talk about musical instruments:

Richard plays the piano really well.

– to refer to a system or service:

How long does it take on the train?
I heard it on the radio.
You should tell the police.

We can also use the definite article with adjectives like rich, poor, elderly and unemployed to talk about groups of people: 

Life can be very hard for the poor.
I think the rich should pay more taxes.

We do not normally use the definite article with names:

Paris is the capital of France.

But we do use the definite article with:

– countries whose names include words like kingdom, states or republic:

the United Kingdom; the United States

  – countries which have plural nouns as their names:

the Netherlands; the Philippines

– geographical features, such as mountain ranges, groups of islands, rivers, seas, oceans and canals:

the Himalayas; the Amazon

– newspapers:

The Times; The Washington Post

– well-known buildings or works of art:

the Empire State Building; the Mona Lisa

– organisations:

the United Nations

– hotels, pubs and restaurants:

the Ritz Hotel; the Gauchos

But note that we do not use the definite article if the name of the hotel or restaurant is the name of the owner: Richmond’s Hotel

– families:

the Obamas

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Exercises

The definite article ‘the’

EXERCISE 1.

Insert the if necessary

e.g.  He is the funniest person I’ve ever met.

1. I’d really like to learn…………………………English.
2. You won’t believe me but I’ve really climbed…………………………Mount Everest.
3. This is…………………………most beautiful film I’ve ever seen.
4. I always play tennis on…………………………Sundays.
5. Paul likes…………………………box, but he doesn’t like………………………golf.
6. We are tired. We’ll go…………………………home.
7. He is very good at playing…………………………piano.
8. If you go to London, you can see…………………………River Thames.
9. …………………………rich are often selfish.
10. Can you tell me…………………………time, please?

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EXERCISE 2.

Correct the mistake (if necessary).

e.g. The Japanese is a very difficult language to learn.

1. The Monte Bianco is the highest mountain in Italy.
2. The young have got everything nowadays.
3. When I was a child, I could play guitar very well.
4. The English is a very important language to know.
5. She’s so good at maths!
6. They had to study a lot of Latin when they were at school.
7. Rome’s famous river is the Tevere.
8. John hates the tennis.
9. This is the best beer I have ever drunk.

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EXERCISE 3.

Put the definite article if necessary.

e.g. I hate _____restaurants but I like the restaurant near my office.

1. What a wonderful garden! Look at ______roses! They are all red.
2. ______sun is shining today and ____ sky is blue.
3. I often go to _____church but today I want to stay with you.
4. My sister likes  ____ roses you gave her last week.
5. Today I’m going to visit _______National Gallery and_______ Piccadilly Circus. Then I’m going to have a break in _______ pub I saw yesterday; they have  ______best Italian food in London.
6.  ______1989 was a wonderful year because I got my degree.

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