1. Definite Article

The is the definite article as it identifies a definite or particular noun that we know of. It is not about a noun that has not been mentioned beforehand or a noun that we are unaware of. EXAMPLE: I received a letter. The letter is from a former classmate. (CORRECT) NOT: I received the letter. The letter is from the former classmate. First sentence: I received the letter. – Which letter is referred to? Second sentence: The letter is from the former classmate. – We know 'The letter' as it refers to the letter I received (in the first sentence). / the former classmate – There are many former classmates, which one?) This shows how easily we can confuse the reader if we do not exercise care in using the. The is used: 1. when the same thing or person is mentioned again, that is, a particular thing or person. Example: I bought an orange. The orange is sweet. 2. when there is only one such thing. Example: the earth, the sun, the moon. 3. before the names of famous buildings, etc. Example: The Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China. 4. when a singular noun is used to point out a whole class, race, group, etc. Example: The bear is a strong animal. 5. before the special names of a rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, groups of islands, certain organizations, political parties, and countries such as the U.S.A., the U.K., the U.S.S.R. and the U.A.R. Example: The Nile, The Dead Sea, The Pacific Ocean, The Himalayas, The United Nations, The Republican Party, etc. 6. before the names of holy or important books. Example: The Koran, The Bible. 7. before an adjective when the noun is understood. Example: The poor need help. Example: No one seems to care for the homeless in the city. More examples: This is the boy you are looking for. (This means this is the particular boy you are looking for, not any other boy.) That is the cinema I went to yesterday. (I remember and am sure that is the cinema I went to and not another cinema.) While they were there, they visited the science museum. (They visited the particular museum which is the only one in the country.)