tourists

On our vacation in the Europe, we went to the Netherlands, the Spain, the UK, the Germany, and the Czech Republic.

The...

Always use the definite article with the following:

The Top / Bottom / Middle

worker

His office is at the top of the building.

in a plane

I hate sitting in the middle.

titanic

The Titanic is now at the bottom of the sea.

The Same

  • I have the same boots as you!
  • He wears the same work clothes every day.

The Moon, Sun, World, Sky, Ocean, Sea

moon

The moon is beautiful tonight.

mechanic

He is the best in the world.

ocean

I want to live by the ocean.

helicopter

We saw a helicopter in the sky last night.

The Internet, Radio

  • The Internet is very fast in this school.
  • You need the Internet to use Smrt.
  • I never listen to the radio. Do you?

The Police, Fire Department, Army

breaking into a car

We should call the police.

fire department

The fire department is coming to put out the fire.

army

My brother is in the army.

Names of Mountain Ranges

Use the with the names of mountain ranges in English. We do not use the when saying the names of individual mountains:

Andes

The Andes are in South America.

Alps

He lives near the Alps in Switzerland.

Mt. Everest

I would like to try to climb the Mt. Everest one day.

Mt. Fuji

The Mt. Fuji is in Japan.

Names of Oceans, Seas, & Rivers

Use the with the names of oceans, seas, and rivers. Do not use the with the names of lakes.

world

The Pacific is the biggest ocean in the world.

Black Sea

When I went to Turkey last summer, I swam in the Black Sea.

Amazon river

The Amazon River runs through Guyana, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.

Lake Superior

The Lake Superior is between Canada and the USA.


The...

Do not use the definite article with...

(Most) Names of Countries & Continents

Mexican

I am from the Mexico.

Europe

There are so many different languages in the Europe.

Kenya

The Kenya has very fast runners.

Use the definite article with the following country names:

  • The Netherlands
  • The Philippines
  • The United Kingdom
  • The United States of America
  • The United Arab Emirates
  • The Czech Republic

Names of Cities

Seattle

The Seattle is about 200 km south of the Vancouver.

Tokyo

I was born in the Tokyo, Japan.

Names of People

  • The Joe Robbins
  • The Mr. Lewis
  • The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
  • The Angela

Names of Streets

Main Street

My apartment is on the Main Street.

Turn left

Turn left on the 32nd Avenue.

Car shop

My shop is on the Division Street.

Names of Airports & Stations

JFK Airport

The JFK Airport is in New York.

Tourists 2

Excuse me. Do you know how to get to the City-Center Station?

Languages & Subjects

  • the English
  • the French
  • the math
  • the science
  • the art

Games & Sports

  • the soccer
  • the bowling
  • the poker
  • the basketball

Go to...

The following are popular phrases that use the definite article:

  • go to the movies
  • go to the school
  • go to the post office
  • go to the airport
  • go to the shop
  • go to the garage
cinema

My girlfriend and I went to the movies last night.

mechanic

If your car breaks down, go to the mechanic.

on the phone

James isn't here. I think he went to the supermarket.

We do not use the definite article with the following phrases:

  • go to work
  • go to bed
  • go to prison
  • go to school
  • go to university
  • go home
couple

I'm going to work now. Bye!

bed

I'm tired. I need to go to bed.

university students

A: Why didn't you go to school yesterday?

B: I was sick.

prison

The man went to prison because he didn't pay his taxes.


Exercise

Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.

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