English definite articles
Private lessons, group classes, tutoring and language courses (A1, A2, B2, B2, C1, C2)
Find a teacherOur teachers
Looking for a language tutor? Contact one of our teachers!
Louise C.
12.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Tom O.
20.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Alexander W.
16.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Our offer
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.What are definite articles?
- 1.1.Definite article "The"
- 1.1.1.Definite articles examples
- 1.2.When not to use articles
- 1.3.Examples:
- 1.4.Articles and adjectives
- 1.4.1.Examples:
- 1.5.Difference between indefinite and definite articles
- 1.5.1.Example:
- 2.Exercises
- 2.1.Definite article "the" exercise
- 2.2.Definite articles exercises
- 2.3.Definite articles worksheet
What are definite articles?
The definite article is used to introduce a noun or noun phrase. It is used to specify something that has already been discussed or is known by all the speakers and makes sense in the context. The only indefinite article is "the".
Have a question?
Take online language lessons with a professional teacher
- Native & verified teachers
- Free trial lesson
- Learning materials included
Robyn Chelsea S. 
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Manuel S. 
12.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Veronica N.
18.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Liudmila K. 
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Eleonora B.
20.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Ivelina R. 
18.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Darragh C. 
15.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Constanza Maria M. 
14.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Mavi H. 
23.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Luisa N. 
16.00 €/h
Free trial lesson!
Group lessons!
Definite article "The"
The definite article "the" is one of the most commonly used articles and is the only definite article. It can be used with countable and uncountable nouns as well as singular and plural ones. It is used to refer to concrete objects, names of oceans and seas, mountains and deserts.
Definite articles examples
| When to use definite articles | Examples |
|---|---|
| Use it with proper nouns such as mountains, rivers, islands. | I want to hike the Grand Canyon. |
| Use it with historical periods such as decades. | I truly miss the nineties. |
| Use it to refer to a group of people in general. | History is most dear to the Bulgarians. |
| Use it with the superlative form of adjectives. | Bram is the tallest person I know. |
| Use it with countries whose's name is plural, a republic or a kingdom. | My boyfriend is from the United Kingdom. |
| Use it when it is assumed only of the thing exists. | Where is the kitchen? |
| Use it with landmarks, museums, valuable historical pieces or art. | I have always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. |
| Use it with family names. | The Gettys were one of the wealthiest families. |
| Use it with things or object that are specific or unique by themselves. | The creator of Reese's did something amazing. |
| Use it when something has already been mentioned. | I accidentally hurt myself. The pain is horrible. |
When not to use articles
You must not use the definite article "the" when using the following type of nouns in your text or speech:
| Types | Examples |
|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, yellow, purple |
| Means of transport | Plane, train, taxi, car |
| Hours | Three o'clock, half past eight |
| Airports, stations | Heathrow, Saint Peters station |
| Names of people or places | Michael, Jessica, New York, Tokyo |
| Sports | Football, volleyball, running |
| Days of the week | Monday, Friday, Sunday |
| Time expressions | Last week, next month, last year |
| Disciplines and subjects | Geography, literature, physics |
| Uncountable things | Oil, copper, rice |
| Years | 1994, 2004 |
| Countries (unless they are part of the exceptions) | France, Spain |
| Personal titles | Mrs, Ms, Miss |
| Languages | Bulgarian, Italian, Spanish |
Examples:
| Correct use | Incorrect use |
|---|---|
| I like blue. | I like the blue. |
| Have you ever been to France? | Have you ever been to the France? |
| She loves Geography. | She loves the Geography. |
| I play football every chance I get. | I play the football every chance I get. |
| Our flight goes through Heathrow. | Our flight goes through the Heathrow. |
Articles and adjectives
While the definite article is more commonly placed before a noun it is it not always the case. The definite article can be placed in front of an ajdective that provides more information in an enriching or restricting kind of way.
Examples:
- He's the tall boy in end of the hall.
- The Spanish are famous for their reputation for talking a lot.
- It is the red apple.
- It is the thick green cable in the drawer.
Difference between indefinite and definite articles
The major difference between an indefinite and definite article lies in exactly which noun they do refer to. With the indefinite article, you could be referring to anything of a certain type. However, with the definite article to you refer to exactly one specific thing of a certain type.
Example:
- I have to buy a new phone. - It could be any phone.
- I have to buy the new iPhone. - The phone I buy must exactly be an iPhone.
Exercises
Definite article "the" exercise
Definite articles exercises
Definite articles worksheet
Exercises
Definite article "the" exercise
Definite articles exercises
Definite articles worksheet
What our students say
Unlike in other platforms, all our teachers are manually verified by our professional team. Trust in the experiences of our students.
My education is :
Master in Art & Businees George Washington University
Tesol certifiction from Wordl Academic London UK 2.020
Br degree in Accountant Catholic University America .
Working for more than 8 years teaching ESL as second Language in : USA , UK , Latin America , Spain .
My teaching methods are : Using American Learning Program explain :
Subject + verb + Complement
and learning : nouns , verb , adjetive , adverb , modals , in general preparation TOEFL test .
Addicional I am preparing Power Point material to help you .
Having : Seft Study Book ( Digital ) to talk together and fill out sentences .
Reader American Family Book ( Level begginer and advanced )
Mei-Lin M.
Mirna has a lot of teaching experience. She is patient and teaches Spanish grammar among other things. She can also help you with your business language.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Mirna Rossa L.
Hello! I'm Sandra from Cape Town, a native English speaker with Cambridge certification to teach English as a second language. I have a Master's degree in English with over 10 years' experience as an English language editor and freelance writer. Tell me your goals or interests and I will create lessons around them. I will help you get you ready for any language proficiency exam (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS.) If you need to speak English in a Business or Medical context, I have the materials and the knowledge to improve your fluency. I teach ALL levels for ALL purposes Age 12 years and up. Please state your city/country/time zone in the lesson request. It is helpful if you test your current English level on this website or on the many other free online tests so that we can start at the right level straightaway. We CAN meet free of charge (just message me) to discuss your learning needs/my teaching methods, but I do not offer free lessons.
NB If you are writing a test like IELTS or TOEFL 'in a month or two' and you need to obtain a minimum score to enter a university, remember that according to education bodies like British Council and Cambridge English, it takes an average of 120-130 lesson hours to move from one level or band to the next. So with 'one or two' months, you need to already be at B2 or Upper Intermediate level to start preparing.
莉 薛.
Mary is a very experienced and patient teacher. She prepared well before class and did various exercises in class. After class, she sent me always materials of the lesson. I have noticed my improvement in grammar and pronunciation.
Sandra C.
My name is Julija Mihalova. I’m an enthusiastic Russian language tutor with over 12 years experience. I have a degree in Translation. I also have a certificate from Moskou University to teach Russian as a foreign language.
These individualized lessons will help you achieve the necessary level of Russian in the shortest possible time.
I will be happy to help you :
· learn Russian vocabulary for everyday life and traveling
· learn Russian for professional purposes, the broader job opportunities
· reach the A1/A2/B1/B2/C1 level Russian of the Common European Framework
· if you are someone who is curious about a different culture; OR wants to keep your brain active and fit by giving it an excellent workout.
As your tutor, I will focus on your preferences and provide you with an individualized learning program.
Regardless of the level at which you start, you will be able to communicate in Russian from the very first lesson. I will help you to understand grammar and reading; to enrich your vocabulary, speaking and listening skills through life communication fun games; and will provide activities to help the lessons ‘stick’.
The materials of each lesson will be provided in a visual, easy to perceive, form.
I am a friendly, professional and committed tutor and you will be assisted and supported as you progress along your individual learning curve.
Mei-Lin M.
Julija has over more than 20 years of teaching experience. She teaches to all ages and levels from A1 to C2. She has lots of interactive learning materials. You'll surely feel comfortable in her classes!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Julija M.
Experienced bilingual Spanish teacher
Mei-Lin M.
Vanessa has over 10 years of teaching experience. She teaches the levels from A1 until C1. She cannot only teach you the language but also educate you on the relevant cultural topics related to the Spanish language. Furthermore, she will also be able to help you with industry specific vocabulary if necessary. Her lessons are completely adjusted to you and your needs.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Vanessa A.
I am a certified TEFL teacher and have taught ESL for the past three years. I can help you become more confident in speaking the English language which I believe is one of the most important parts of learning a language. If you want to pass exams I can also help you prepare for them and create lessons focused on listening, writing, oral and reading. I love traveling and if you are interested we can talk about the difference in cultures or any known sites in that country. We can speak about any categories you choose from politics to nature, I can build a class on that. I will help you in any way you can from beginners to advance I want to help you learn English!
Stanislovas J.
I liked the conversion we had - teacher changed topic few time topic in the right direction and it help very much for speaking.
Amber A.
Hi everyone! My name is Morena a passionate traveller and a languages enthusiast!
My mother tongue is Italian, and I was born and raised in the beautiful region of Marche in central Italy. I lived abroad for 15 years, and spent 12 of them in the wonderful London.
I am a certified Celta teacher at Strafford House School in London and I have recently obtained the Ditals certification from the University of Siena for teaching Italian as a foreign language.
What are my lessons like? I normally teach students of all levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced). I love to use everyday situations to teach common expressions useful for communication as well as vocabulary and grammar. I adapt different teaching methods and approaches according to my students' learning needs, interests and background. I can help you with exam preparation (CILS, CELI, PLIDA, and all Cambridge or IELTS exams), also I can create business or technical language lessons if you have this need.
I provide tailor-made lessons because I believe that every student is different and needs a special and fun method to learn a language with a purpose. If you would like help please contact me with your questions or goal, then we can discuss the best strategy and flexible plan to become fluent in Italian or English! Speak soon. Ciao, a presto!
Mei-Lin M.
Morena generally teaches to adults, but she also has experience with teaching children. She has different learning materials and personalizes her classes to her students wants and needs. She is very patient. Furthermore, she teaches English and Italian to all levels (A1 to C2)
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Morena G.
I have a total of 9 years of experience, teaching a variety of subjects, especially Business and English to all age groups. I have taught in the classroom setting as well as online. I have been teaching English as a second language online for over a year now.
I use creative teaching methods, through case studies and simulated scenarios that are related to everyday life activities. Using a blend of visual, auditory and kinesthetic methods, I ensure that students with different learning needs are catered for. I also use lots of realia and TPR for my younger students. Assignments and homework are always related to the material covered in class to ensure continued learning and practice.
Feel free to join me for a fun and engaging class with lots of smiles! :)
Mei-Lin M.
Rhoda has 9 years of teaching experience. She teaches for all levels (A1 to C2), she also teaches business language. She has experience in working online and gives interactive class.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Rhoda B.
Well done on making the first step to learning English! It is a fantastic addition to your professional or personal profile. I started my journey as an actress, I moved quickly into the world of Education finding my passion in early childhood development. I am a qualified teacher and have been working in international schools for many years. I recently acquired my TEFL certificate allowing me to expand my horizons and teach online. I grew up in Hong Kong before moving back to England. I have lived in Portugal for the last year teaching Portuguese and French children, I loved the diversity and felt I wanted to teach adults too. Since then I have been tutoring online which has given me the chance to meet people from all over the world and help them on their language journey in a comfortable and open environment. I am married to a Frenchman so I have basic understanding of French and I have a French tutor myself!
I usually test the level at the beginning and then plan with the students the goals they want to achieve. After that with every lesson I check progress and points to review with the help of a log to have a clear plan in every lesson. I believe it is VERY important for the teacher and student to share a positive connection and for both parties to feel comfortable. Drop me an email to make the booking!
Nikki .
Samantha is a fantastic teacher, she clearly has lots of experience and I felt an instant connection with her. I have been looking for the right person to help me with my spoken English and I believe we will be a good fit when I am ready to book more lessons. Thanks Samantha I cant wait to start learning with you,
Samantha L.
Hello! I'm Sandra from Cape Town, a native English speaker with Cambridge certification to teach English as a second language. I have a Master's degree in English with over 10 years' experience as an English language editor and freelance writer. Tell me your goals or interests and I will create lessons around them. I will help you get you ready for any language proficiency exam (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS.) If you need to speak English in a Business or Medical context, I have the materials and the knowledge to improve your fluency. I teach ALL levels for ALL purposes Age 12 years and up. Please state your city/country/time zone in the lesson request. It is helpful if you test your current English level on this website or on the many other free online tests so that we can start at the right level straightaway. We CAN meet free of charge (just message me) to discuss your learning needs/my teaching methods, but I do not offer free lessons.
NB If you are writing a test like IELTS or TOEFL 'in a month or two' and you need to obtain a minimum score to enter a university, remember that according to education bodies like British Council and Cambridge English, it takes an average of 120-130 lesson hours to move from one level or band to the next. So with 'one or two' months, you need to already be at B2 or Upper Intermediate level to start preparing.
Alessandra S.
Sandra is a very experienced and kind teacher. She is amazing at making you feel at ease, so that you can really enjoy your class and focus on your learning. She provides great learning materials and organises the lesson according to your needs and level.
Sandra C.
I've been living and working as a Turkish teacher in London for 5 years. I studied Turkish language and literature. I graduated from Kocaeli University in 2009. I have pedagogical proficiency and a Teaching Turkish for Foreigners certificate from Istanbul University.
I have experience at high schools and secondary schools in İstanbul/Turkey for 5 years.
All the collateral will be provided by me. I will give you homework after every lesson and we will check it together.
I use a theory book and an excercise book for my lessons, versions vary according to your level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1). They're all published by Istanbul University and are called `Turkish For Foreigners`
I also use powerpoint presentations during my lessons. It makes it easier to understand the grammar rules.
My lessons are about grammar, listening, speaking and writing.
Lessons are interactive and fun as I believe a playful approach to learning a new language helps retaining information. Games and other devices such as cards will be be used during the lessons.
For more information please do not hesitate to ask me any questions. Thank you very much. Have a great day! :)
Mei-Lin M.
Samet has a lot of teaching experience. He is patient and enthusiastic to learn you a new language. Furthermore, he has lots of different teaching materials that make his lessons fun and interactive.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Samet T.
French lessons with a qualified teacher (for children, teenagers, adults)
Mei-Lin M.
Laurie has been working since 2016. She teaches French from the levels A1 until C1. Her learning materials are very interactive, games, quizzes, videos etc. You will surely learn a lot from her!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Laurie G.
Hi!
I'm Emma, I'm originally from London but have lived in many countries around the world, and currently live in Italy. I have learnt foreign languages myself, so I can empathise with your every concern about learning a new language!
I speak english with a very clear British accent, and I have much experience with all levels of english learners, from beginners to advanced, from young children to retired adults, online and in person.
Just let me know your needs and language goals, and I will help you!
Chiara C.
Emma is a very good teacher, she is helpful and patient. She helped me to prepare for B2 English exam. She improved my pronunciation and my vocabulary and she understood what I needed.
Emma F.
Hello! My name is Lucille and I’m from South Africa. I’m a fun and adaptable tutor who is able to adjust my teaching method according to the focus and needs of every individual student. I have 120hr TEFL certification and 4 years of experience in teaching children of all ages as well as adults. I’m a former actress, dancer, musician and makeup artist. My lessons are a warm and friendly environment where students are able to freely express themselves and are able to ask me questions at any time.
Mei-Lin M.
Lucille is an enthusiastic teacher. She has 4 years of teaching experience. She has taught to children and adults. Furthermore, she is eager to help you learn English!
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Lucille V.
Bilingual private lessons
Stephanie H.
Catherine is an excellent teacher and communicator. In our initial session, we had an extremely productive conversation about goals and expectations and what I was seeking with personal lessons in Spanish. This allowed her to tailor our first lesson to my needs. I learned so much! She helped substantially with pronunciation and verb conjugations. I look forward to our next sessions and continued learning. I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking to improve their language skills in Spanish and English, in particular.
Catherine D.
Do you want to learn a new language?
Do you want to be able to communicate in Greek or in English in real-life settings or to conduct business?
Do you need help preparing for school?
Do you need help with homework or revision for upcoming exams?
Do you need help preparing for a language exam?
If the answer is `YES` to any of the above questions then contact me for a friendly chat.
Greek as a Foreign Language (Beginner to Advanced)
Children, Young and Adult Learners
Preparation for the GCSE Greek and CEFR exams
Conversational Greek
Business Greek
Professional Greek
English as a Foreign Language (Elementary to Advanced)
All age groups
Conversational English
Exam Preparation including IELTS, FCE, and CAE
ESOL English
Science English
Business English
A CELTA certified English Language Teacher and a native Greek; dynamic and results-orientated with long tutoring experience, a strong background in sciences and languages. I am currently completing an M.Ed degree in teaching English as a Foreign/International language.
Trustworthy and approachable with strong rapport skills.
Experienced in working with children, young learners, and adults across various educational settings.
A strong talent to develop and implement creative, hands-on learning that reaches every student`s learning style and ability, whilst empowering students to succeed and reach their individual goals. Every lesson is tailored to the needs of the student. The use of specific handbooks is determined by each student`s desires and needs. Any extra material when needed will be provided by the teacher.
Mei-Lin M.
Katerina has lots of teaching experience. She teaches to all age ranges, from children to adults. She teaches to groups but also to individuals. Furthermore, she is very patient and eager to help you learn a new language.
This review was written by a coLanguage team member during a screening interview.
Katerina Y.
