The definite article is THE

1. Sounds

The definite article is THE. It is used for singular and plural. The pronunciation differs before a vowel or consonant. The difference depends on the sound of the vowels and consonants, not the spelling.

2. Examples

THE / ð¶ /   THE / ði: /   a teacher a peach a woman a house a man a useful book a university a European an English teacher an orange an old woman an hour an honest man an heir an honour an Irish person Explanation of the symbols: these symbols help you to use the correct pronunciation. / ð¶ / You pronounce / ð / it like th in these. You pronounce the / ¶ / like e in answer / ði: / You pronounce / ð / it like th in these. You pronounce the / i: / like ee in see

3. Use

THE is used before names of instruments: I play the piano. My sisters play the violin. My teacher plays the guitar.

Don't put THE before names of meals, except when we talk about a particular meal: Dinner is served. What time do you have lunch. BUT: The dinner we had yesterday was delicious.

Don't put THE before names of seasons, except when we talk about a particular season: We have a long holiday in summer. Flowers bloom in spring. BUT: The winter of 1966 was the coldest in history.

No THE before names of mountains: Mount Everest is 8,862 metres high. We stood on top of Etna.

No THE before abstract nouns used in general use: I love nature.