Article Rule III

Rules III (The use of Definite Articles ‘The’)

1. When we talk of a particular person or a thing as already mentioned, known or under discussion. For example:

The book (which you mentioned) is not available in the market.

Let us study the lesson carefully. (lesson in hand)

2. Before proper noun (unique objects) when they refer to the name of historical buildings, mountain ranges, planets, river, ocean, gulfs, group of islands, holy books, ordinals, descriptive name of countries, states, newspapers, magazines, deserts, superlative degree, name of train, hotels, shops, trains. For example:

The Persian Gulf

The Taj Mahal

The Netherlands

The Indian Ocean

The best Picture

The Sun

The Moon

The Earth

The North Pole

Note: The is not used before Aravali and Everest because they are not mountain ranges.

3. When a singular noun express a class of animal or things. But ‘The’ is avoided with their plural forms and persons to express a class. For example:

The dog is a faithful animal.

The rose is a sweet flower.

4. Before an adjective when it represents a class of person. For example:

The rich should help the poor.

The old are respected by the young.

5. Before musical instruments. For example:

He can play the flute.

She is fond of playing the harmonium.

6. As an Adverb with a comparative sense. (Double comparison) For example:

The sooner, the better.

The higher you go, the colder it is.

7. Before comparative degree in case of a choice. For example:

She is the weaker of the two sisters.

Which is the more beautiful of the two sisters.

8. Before proper noun for the sale of comparison. For example:

Surdas is the Milton of India.

Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India.

9. Before sport cups and trophies. For example:

India won the Singer Cup last year.

A number of teams are taking part in the World Cup.

10. Before  physical positions. For example:

The top of the mountain.

The center of the market.

11. Before a unit of measurement. For example:

Cloth is sold by the meter.

Eggs are sold by the dozen.

12. Before caste and communities. For example:

The Rajputs are brave people.                     

The Marathas are hard working.

13. Before the inventions. For example:

The telephone.

The wireless.

He was watching television. (‘television’ is used just as a set)

14. Before the dates. For example:

The 10^th of May.

The 5^th of September.

15. Before the organs of government, political parties, armed forces, nationality. For example:

The judiciary.

The BJP.

The Army.

The Greeks.