by Alan Townend Before names of meals except when preceded by an
adjective.
«We had a late breakfast and decided to miss lunch.»Definite — the
Uses
Before nouns of which there is only one.
«The earth is round.» Before a noun which has become definite as a result of being
mentioned a second time.
«We saw a good film last night. It was the film you
recommended.» Before a noun made definite by the addition of a phrase or
clause.
«The woman dressed in black.» Before a noun which, by reason of locality, can represent only
one particular thing.
«There’s a bee in the kitchen.» Before superlatives and «first», «second» and «only»
«The longest river in the world.» Before singular nouns used to represent a class of objects.
«The donkey is a very obstinate animal.» Before an adjective used to represent a class of persons.
«That tax hurts the rich.» Before names of seas, rivers, chains of mountains, groups of
islands and plural names of countries.
«the Pacific Ocean, the Thames, the Andes, the West Indies,
the Netherlands» Before musical instruments.
«She plays the piano»Not Used
Before countries, towns, proper names.
«Charlie lived in Chicago in America» Before abstract nouns.
«Jealousy can be dangerous.» Before parts of the body and articles of clothing — these
normally prefer a possessive adjective.
«Lift your left arm.»
«He removed his hat.»