1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE THE DEFINITE ARTICLE “THE”

2. Use The definite article “the” The definite article is pronounced as [ ðə ] or as [ ði ] As [ ðə ] before nouns beginning with a consonant: the book, the man, the table As [ ði ] before nouns beginning with a vowel: the apple, the entrance, the idol, the opera, the uncle When a vowel is pronounced as a consonant:When a consonant is not pronounced at all: the [ ðə ] university [ ju:nə'v ɜ :rsətı ] the [ ðə ] union [ 'ju:njən ] the [ ði ] hour [ a ʋ ər ] the [ ði ] honest [ ' ɒ nıst ] man * Exceptions:

3. Use The definite article “the” When do we use the definite article “the”? 1.Before nouns of which there is only one: There are many theories of how the earth was formed. 2. When we know what or who we are talking about: I see a man walking on the street. The man is running now. 3. Before a noun which can represent only one thing: My wife is in the kitchen (in our kitchen).

4. Use The definite article “the” When do we use the definite article “the”? 4. Before superlatives of adjectives: She is the best teacher I’ve ever known. 5. Before names of rivers, seas or mountains: The Danube is one of the most important rivers in Europe. 6. Before plural names of countries: The Netherlands is a low-lying country.

5. The definite article “the” Differences in meaning: Without “the”MeaningWith “the”Meaning We go to church. We go to school. We go to prison. We go to bed. = to pray = to learn = as a prisoner = to sleep We go to the church. We go to the school. We go to the prison. We go to the bed. = to see the paintings = to speak to one of the teachers = to visit a prisoner = we walk to it (that direction)

6. The definite article “the” Questions: