The - Definite article

The - Definite article

1. a specific, shared information for both the speaker and the listener

2. First mentioned

   • I ordered a steak and a salad for lunch. The steak was great but the salad was awful. A dog was hit by a car near my apartment. The poor creature howled in pain.
   • similar words, phrases

3. Visual context

   • Watch out! Don't shake the table. You'll spill the milk. Okay mum, could you please pass the rice?

4. General knowledge

   • I went to an unusual wedding. The bride and groom wore jogging clothes. The listener knows that a wedding has a bride and groom.

5. Shared information

   • A & B work in the same place.   A: Do you think the secretaries make enough money? B: Yes, I think they do. 

6. Familiar nouns

   • Refers to a place where the speaker habitually goes to. When you go to the store, could you buy some milk? 

7. Unique nouns

   • The Earth rotates around the sun once every 365 days. Please look at the top of this page. 

8. Noun modifiers

   • The book that's on sale is on the counter. The red book is mine. 

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