Article THE
Use the
Second mention
We use the when we mention something for the second time.
- A man and a woman sat in front of me. The man was British, but I think the woman wasn’t.
Specific things
We use the to talk about specific things or people –when it’s clear which things or people we are talking about.
- ‘Where are the kids?’ ‘They’re in the garden.’ (=We know which kids and which garden.)
- Can you open the door? (=We know which door.)
Common places in town
With places in a town where we commonly go (the park, the cinema, the doctor, etc.)
- I’m going to the bank.
- I found Peter at the station.
- I’m at the library.
Superlatives
We use the before superlative adjectives.
- This is the best restaurant in town.
Musical instruments
We use the before names of musical instruments.
- Margaret plays the guitar and I play the flute.