"The" is called definite or specifying article. Its use is varied and complex. Below are some examples of notable uses.
1. The names of rivers, seas and oceans are preceded by the:
The Padma is a big river.
Where is the Black Sea?
There are many islands in the Pacific.
2. Before the mountains sits the:
The Himalayas are in Tibet.
Where are the Alps?
3. Before the musical sits the:
Monica can play the piano.
Kamal is playing the guitar.
4. Before any unique natural object sits the:
The earth moves round the sun
The moon shines at night.
5. The sits before a familiar person or object in the house or society:
He walked into the house and shut the door.
Put the cup on the table.
The President is coming to Rajshahi tomorrow.
Monica is in the kitchen.
6. If you mention something a second time, you have to put the:
I saw a bird yesterday. The bird was beautiful.
There is a cow grazing in the field. The cow is red.
7. If there are modifiers after the Uncountable noun, the must be inserted:
Milk is nutritious.
Water is essential to life.
The milk in the jug has gone sour.
The water of the lake is cold.
4. The is used when it refers to everyone in a class. This is called generic use of the definite article:
The cow is a useful animal.
The lion is a wild animal.
In the example above, "the" means all the cows and all the lions.
9. In the following cases the sits:
the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the
French Revolution, the Freedom Movement
b) Law enforcement agencies, military or civilian: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Police, the Judiciary
c) Political parties: the Awami League. the Muslim League, the Bangladesh National Party
d) Newspaper: the Bangladesh Observer. the New Nation
10. After an indefinite amount or a certain number "of-phrase" must be accompanied by the:
Most / Many / One-fourth / Five / The majority - of the students in this class passed the examination.
The is not commonly used in the following cases:
1. Name of person or place: Amina, Ahmed, Natore, Khulna
2. the isn't used in the following words in the family circle: of a father, mother, uncle, etc.
Father has not yet come home.
Mother is ill.
Baby is crying.
3. Uncountable noun when used in generic sense:
Life is full of joys and sorrows.
Light travels faster than sound.
Poetry gives us delight.
4. Public Institutions like - school, hospital, prison, market:
She walks to school every day.
He is still in hospital / prison.
5. Meals such as breakfast. dinner. supper: Breakfast is ready.
Dinner has been served.
He came before supper.
