The definite article “the” is used in a number of different situations:

We use “the” when it is clear which person, place, or thing is meant.

The telephone was invented in 1876.   (It is clear which invention we are talking about.)
We’d better get back to work – the boss is coming.  (There is only one boss.)
Pardon me, but do you have the time?  (= the time now)
Don’t forget to turn on the dishwasher before you leave for work.  (We have only one dishwasher.)

We use “the” in the phrase “the same ____”:

Helen and Marlene had the same kind of dress. (not had same kind of dress)
This is the same movie that the Watsons told us about.  (not is same movie)
Is this accounting course different than the one in the catalog? —No, they’re the same. (not they’re same)

We use “the” in the following phrases:
the sun / the moon / the world / the sky / the ocean / the sea / the country:

The sun is really a big star.
Wolves howl at the moon.
The sky was filled with colorful fireworks.
We’re going to vacation at the ocean this year.

the police:

By the time the police arrived, the suspect had already fled the scene.

the top / the bottom / the beginning / the end / the middle / the left / the right, etc.:

There is a box of biscuits on the top of the refrigerator.
Look at the question at the bottom of page 3.
Jack is standing on the left in that picture.

play the piano / the guitar / the violin / the clarinet, etc.:

Susannah is learning to play the guitar.
Mark is good at playing the trumpet.
I wish I had learned how to play the violin when I was younger.

the radio:

Keith listens to the radio when he drives to and from work.

Note:  There are certain situations where “the” is NOT used!

television / TV:  

Kids nowadays watch too much TV.  (not the too much TV)
But:  Turn off the TV if you’re not going to watch it.  (= the TV set)

breakfast / lunch / dinner:

Jack was too sick to eat breakfast.  (not the breakfast)
Let’s meet for lunch sometime.  (not the lunch)
Don’t eat a snack – it’ll be time for dinner soon.  (not the dinner)

Next / last + week / month / year / spring, etc. / Sunday, etc.:

We are going to have a test next week.  (not the next week)
Last summer Grandmother came to visit us.  (not the last summer)
Jim’s having a party next Saturday – are you going?  (not the next Saturday)

Exercise.  Write “the” where necessary.  If “the” is not needed, write “OK.”

Example:

How far is it to library?  ==>  How far is it to the library?
My birthday was last week.  ==>  OK.

1.    If you are involved in a serious car accident, you should call police.
2.    We didn’t have much snow last winter.
3.    Mary has been playing flute since she was in high school.
4.    Please turn down radio – it’s too loud for me.
5.    Mr. Jones took his secretaries out to lunch last week for Secretaries’ Day.
6.    Tom prefers to take subway to work.
7.    Mars is nearly 228 million km from sun.
8.    Mother is busy cooking dinner.
9.    I’m bored – there are no good programs on television.
10.    The students in the 10 o’clock class had same test as those in the 8 o’clock class.
11.    The Browns are going camping in mountains.
12.    Bill and Bob had complimentary tickets to last basketball game of the season.
13.    When you take a photograph, you should not put your subject in middle of the picture.
14.    Mark has to study for his English test next week.
15.    Jack and Jill have a farm out in country.

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences.  Use “the same” with one of the words in the box.

Example:

Steve and John are twins.  They were born on ______. (day)  ==>  Steve and John are twins.  They were born on the same day.

1.    Mr. Smith takes the 7:45 train into the city.  Mr. Brown takes the 7:45 train into the city.  They take ______.
2.    Susan is reading “Call of the Wild.”  Maggie is reading “Call of the Wild.”  Susan and Maggie are reading ______.
3.    I arrived at school at 8 o’clock.  James arrived at school at 8 o’clock.  We arrived at ______.
4.    Mack enjoys biking.  Sam enjoys biking.  Mack and Sam enjoy ______.
5.    I watched the movie “Casablanca.”  Edward watched the movie “Casablanca.”  We watched ______.

Exercise.  Look at the following pictures and complete the sentences, using “the” if necessary.

Example:

We have a cabin in ______. (forest)
==> We have a cabin in the forest.

1. She’s playing ______.	2. They’re having ______.
3. They’re watching ______.	4. ______ is setting.
5. He’s surfing in ______.	6. She’s studying at ______.

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences.  Choose a word from the list, using “the” if necessary.

Example:

Father and Mother went out for ______ to celebrate their anniversary. (dinner)  ==>  Father and Mother went out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary.

1.    In ______ of “The Wizard of Oz”, Dorothy runs away so Miss Gulch will not take Toto away.
2.    What is ______ of your puppy?
3.    Tell me about ______ you lost your dog.
4.    Mark listens to ______ when he exercises.
5.    Astronauts landed on ______ in 1969.
6.    Paris is ______ of France.
7.    The bank manager notified ______ of the attempted robbery.
8.    The doctor’s office is on ______.
9.    Tom joined the Navy so he could see ______.
10.    Our family reunion was in Texas ______.

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