The Definite Article "The": Rules, Uses, and Examples

The Definite Article "The": Rules, Uses, and Examples

Introduction: There are two types of articles 

1.Difinite Article :- It use before particular noun, Singular countable noun, Plural countable noun.

2.Indefinite Article :- It use before Unknown noun, Singular countable noun.

Key points:

We use articles mostly before the noun but if an adjective and adverb given before the noun then we use article before the adjective or adverb. For example:

 *A boy - A : Article, Boy : Noun

 *A Tall Boy - A : Article, Boy : Noun, Tall : Adjective

 *A Very Tall Boy - A : Article, Boy : Noun, Tall : Adjective, Very: Adverb

We don't use article if no noun is given in the sentence. For example:

*She is beautiful (no article)

*He is honest (no article)

We use article if noun is given in the sentence. For example:

*She is a beautiful girl (noun-Girl) 

*He is a honest boy (noun-boy)

25 Rules for Definite Article with Examples:-

Rule:1 Superlative Degree

We use Definite article if Superlative degree is given in the sentence. There are 3 Degrees of Adjective 1.Possitive, 2.Comparitive, 3.Superlative. Superlative Degree always contain Est/Most in the last of the sentence like:- tallest, richest, biggest, greatest, most etc. Now we can understand it by the examples:-

1.He is The tallest boy in the class.

2.She is The most beautiful girl in the family.

3.Elon Musk is The richest man in the world.

Rule:2 If 'of the two' is given before a plural noun

We use Definite article if 'of the two' is given before a plural noun. Let us take an example

1.He is more taller of the two boys.

Rule:3 Comparative Degree with the quantity of a thing increases or decreases in a fixed proportion

We use Definite article if Comparative Degree with the quantity of a thing increases or decreases in a fixed proportion. Let us understand with some example:-

1.The higher we go, The Cooler we feel.

2.The greater is The demand, The higher is the price.

Rule:4 Before the name of a Country/State

We use Definite article if a country or a state name is given. For example:-

1.The United Nations

2.The republic of Korea

3.The USSR

4.The republic of India

*Exception:- Some countries and state which united, union, republic not come before the name but we use 'The' on these sentence also for example:

1.The Punjab

2.The Netherlands

3.The West indies

4.The Congo

5.The South Sudan

Also we do not use 'The' before all counties or state names because it is a Proper noun.

Rule:5 Before all Geographical Direction

We use Definite article before all geographical direction, we have 8 geographical direction:- East, west, north, south, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west. For example:-

1.The East

2.The south west

*Exception:- If name of direction is given with name of place then we do not use any article but, if ERN is given in the last of the direction then we use Definite article. For example:-

1.West Bengal

2.The Northern Assam

Rule:6 Before Mountain Ranges

We use definite article before any mountain ranges but, we do not use article in single mountain range. Let us take some examples:-

1.The Himalayas (mountain ranges) 

2.The Andes (mountain ranges)

3.Mount Everest (single mountain)

4.Mount Abu (single mountain)

Rule:7 Before Holy scriptures and books

We use Definite article before any holy scripture and books is given in the sentence. For example:-

1.The Gita 

2.The Bible

Rule:8 Before Newspapers Names

We use Definite article before newspapers names. For example:-

1.The times of India 

2.The times now

3.The economics time

Rule:9 Before Sea, Ocean, River, Bay, Desert Names

We use Definite article if any sea, ocean, river, desert name is given in the sentence. For example:-

1.The Indian Ocean

2.The Ganga River

3.The bay of Bengal

4.The Sahara desert

Rule:10 Before historical monuments and ministers residents

We use Definite article before any historical monuments and ministers residents. For example:-

1.The red fort

2.The India gate

3.The white house

4.The parliament house

Rule:11 Before physical position

We use Definite article before physical position. For example:-

1.The first chapter

2.The last lesson

Rule:12 Before war and revolution

We use Definite article before war and revolution. For example:-

1.The world war

2.The French revolution

Rule:13 Before Heavenly bodies or planets

We use Difinite article before heavenly bodies or planet of the galaxy. For example:-

1.The earth

2.The arctic circle

3.The moon

Rule:14 Before plural surnames

We use Difinite article before plural surnames it indicate whole family. For example:-

1.The Vermas have recently shifted to Delhi

2.The Kumars are going to be arrange a party

Rule:15 Before noun particular

We use Difinite article before noun particulars. For example:-

1.The Taj mahal is situated in Agra

2.The boy is standing outside is my brother

Rule:16 If Whole, complete, entire, same with noun is given in the sentence

We use Difinite article if Whole, entire, same with noun is given in the sentence. For example

1.The whole book is full of vulgarity

2.The same thing was happened to my brother etc.

Rule:17 If noun with Who, which, that is given in the sentence.

We use Difinite article before who, which, that is given in the sentence. For example:-

1.This is the book which I was looking for

2.He is the boy who stole my wallet.

Rule:18 If Whole series is shown with plural verb and adjective

We use Definite article if whole series is shown with plural verb and adjective. For example

1.The rich are not always happy

2.The industries are always rewarded

Rule:19 Comparison of two proper nouns

We use Definite article before comparison of two proper nouns. For example

1.Mumbai is The Manchester of India 

2.Kashmir is The Switzerland of India

Rule:20 Before expression of inner quality

We use Definite article before our expression of inner quality. For example:-

1.The teacher in me never allows me to tell a lie

2.The patriot in him motivated to join the army

Rule:21 Before our any body parts

We use Definite article before our any body parts. For example:-

1.She hit me in the hand

2.The thief hit us in the head

Rule:22 Before any invention 

We use Definite article before any invention. For example:-

1.Who invented The television

2.Who invented The radio

Rule:23 Before musical instruments

We use Definite article before any musical instruments is given in the sentence. For example:-

1.She plays The piano every morning

2.He plays The guitar very well

*Exception:- We always use 'a' before any countable noun. For example:-

1.My friend has bought A violin

2.My brother has bought a television

Rule:24 Before Political parties, Religious communities name

We use Definite article before any political parties or religious name is given in the sentence. For example:-

1.The BJP

2.The Congress

3.The Hindus

4.The Sikhs