A1 high_frequency_chunk

The

UK /["/ðə//ði//ðiː/","/ðiː/"]/ US /["/ðə//ði//ðiː/","/ðiː/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

used to refer to somebody/something that has already been mentioned or is easily understood

Listen to definition

In simple words: A word that shows a specific thing is being talked about.

Examples

• The cat is on the mat.
• The sun rises in the east.
• I will go to the store later.
• The blue car is parked outside.
• The teacher asked us to read the book.

Usage notes

Used before nouns to refer to something specific, like 'the book'. Common in both spoken and written English, but omitted in some languages.

Grammar pattern

standalone article

Memory hint

Think of 'the' as a pointed finger, showing you exactly which item.

Collocations

• the best
• the worst
• the first
• the last
• the same

Synonyms

• this
• that
• these
• those

Common mistakes

• Omitting 'the' before unique nouns, like 'the sun'.
• Using 'the' before general nouns, like 'the dogs' when talking about all dogs.
• Confused with 'a' or 'an' when referring to something for the first time.