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Below the rules for using definite article with examples are listed –
Rule 1: When the speaker speaks about a particular person or thing, definite article is used before the noun. e.g.
- The dog is barking from the morning.
- The professor is teaching literature.
Rule 2: When singular noun is used to represent a group. e.g.
- The tiger is a fierce animal.
- The Ku Klux Klan was a racist and violent group.
Rule 3: Definite article can be used before proper noun. e.g.
The Indian Ocean, the Sun, the moon, etc.
Rule 4: Before adjective and superlative degree. e.g.
The best player, the most beautiful, the great king Ashoka etc.
Rule 5: Used as an adverb in comparative degree. e.g.
the more we earn, the more we spend.
Rule 6: Definite article is used with ordinals. e.g.
- He is the first student to arrive at school.
- This is the fifth time you lied to me.
Rule 7: Before the name of specific books. e.g.
the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, etc.
