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.