English Dictionary
Definition the in British English
the
determiner
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
determiner
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
The is used as the definite article before a noun.
Use the before words such as ‘school’, ‘university’, and ‘prison’ when you are referring to a particular building: Inspectors will be visiting the school next week.
Do not use the when you are referring to the institution in general: Her husband has been sent to prison for three years.
In American English, however, the is used with ‘hospital’ for referring to the institution in general: She was admitted to the hospital with minor head injuries.
Do not use the when you are talking about travelling by a particular form of transport: We went by plane.
The is not usually used before the names of individual mountains: Mount Everest
The is not usually used before the names of streets, towns, countries, states, or continents: My parents live in Kenya.
There are a few exceptions, for example: the Sudanthe United Statesthe Hague
Do not use the before a person’s name when it is used in the possessive: The car was parked in front of Jim’s house.
Do not use the before the names of meals: Dinner is at 7.30.What are we having for lunch?
used when you are referring to a particular thing or person that has already been mentioned or is already known about
A nurse brought me some bread and coffee, but the bread was stale and the coffee tasted of soap.
the US president
used before a singular noun when making a general statement about people or things of a particular type
The average university student is not very interested in politics.
used when referring to a part of a particular thing
the 4th of July
used when explaining which person or thing you are referring to
We shall be interviewing Peter Carey, the author.
the destruction of a whole city
the Thames
the Sahara
the Alps
used before an adjective to form a noun when you are referring to the type of thing that is described by the adjective
Are we attempting to achieve the impossible?
a belief in the supernatural
used before superlative adjectives and words such as 'first', 'second', 'next', and 'last'
used when saying whether there is enough of something for a particular purpose
used when a particular person, thing, or place that you are referring to is the famous one, or is the best or most fashionable
'The man's name was Alfred Hitchcock.' 'Not the Alfred Hitchcock?'
For night-life, Juan-les-Pins is definitely the place.
used before the name of a dish when ordering food, especially in an expensive restaurant
Related Words
Words related to the: