English grammar
The definite article "the" 📕
We use the when the listener knows which thing we mean. The is the same for singular and plural.
Use the when ...
- we have talked about it before: I bought a car. The car is red.
- there is only one: the sun, the moon, the internet
- it is clear from the situation: Can you close the door?
- we say exactly which one: the man in the blue jacket
- we use a superlative: the best, the biggest
- we use an order word: the first, the last, the next
The with places
| With the | Without the |
| the United States, the Netherlands | Norway, Spain |
| the Atlantic (oceans, seas, rivers) | Lake Mjøsa (lakes) |
| the Alps (mountain ranges) | Mount Everest (single mountains) |
| the cinema, the theatre | Oslo, Main Street |
Pronunciation
Before a consonant sound, "the" sounds like "thuh": the car. Before a vowel sound, it sounds like "thee": the apple.
✗ Sun is hot today.
✓ The sun is hot today.
✗ I live in the Norway.
✓ I live in Norway.