The definite article: 'the'

The definite article: 'the'

1. listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to

   • because there is only one
     • The Pope is visiting Russia
       • The moon is very bright tonight.
         • Who is the president of France?
   • because there is only one in that context
     • Vivimos en una pequeña casa al lado de la iglesia
       • Dad, can I borrow the car?
         • Look at the boy over there
   • because we have already mentioned it
     • A young man got a nasty shock when he tried to rob a jewellery shop in Richmond. The man used a heavy hammer to smash the windows in the shop.
   • to say something about all the things referred to by a noun
     • the wolf is not really a dangerous animal
       • The kangaroo is found only in Australia
         • The heart pumps blood around the body
   • to refer to a system or service
     • How long does it take on the train?
       • I heard it on the radio
         • You should tell the police