English Profile

the · determiner

/ðiː/Full view

the (PARTICULAR)

A1 used before nouns to refer to particular things or people that have already been talked about or are already known

Dictionary examples:

I bought a shirt and some shoes. The shirt was expensive, but the shoes weren't.

Could you pass the salt, please?

I'll pick you up at the station.

I really enjoyed the book I just read.

Learner example:

I like fresh food from my garden[.] I like [a]lso [to] work in the garden. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

the (ONLY ONE)

A1 used before nouns when only one of something exists

Dictionary examples:

Have you seen the Eiffel Tower?

What will happen in the future?

She's traveling around the world.

They live in the north of Spain.

Ed Koch was for many years the mayor of New York.

Learner example:

That day is [also] the Chinese New Year. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Chinese)

the (PLACE)

A1 used before some nouns that refer to place when you want to mention that type of place, without showing exactly which example of the place you mean

Dictionary examples:

We spent all day at the beach.

Shall we go to the movies this evening?

I must go to the bank.

Learner example:

I like to go to swimming and go to the beach. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Thai)

the (BEFORE SUPERLATIVES, ETC.)

A2 used before superlatives and other words, such as 'first' or 'only' or numbers showing something's position in a list, which refer to only one thing or person

Dictionary examples:

That was one of the best movies I've ever seen.

What's the highest mountain in Europe?

I shall never forget the first time we met.

You're the fifth person to ask me that question.

Learner example:

The best present I have ever got was a car from my grandma. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

the (TIME)

B2 used before numbers that refer to periods of ten years

Dictionary example:

the sixties

Learner example:

For example, people in the 1950s who didn't have computers are likely to have had difficulty in checking information, booking tickets, and communicating with each other. (First Certificate in English; B2; Korean)

the (YOUR)

B1 used instead of a possessive adjective such as "your," "her," or "my"

Dictionary examples:

He held her by the arm.

Where did I park the car?

Learner example:

There [are] a lot of people, and there are a lot of cars, so you would have problems find[ing] a place to park the car. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

the (COMPARE)

B2 used before each of two adjectives or adverbs to show how one thing changes depending on another

Dictionary example:

The longer we live here, the more we like it.

Learner example:

In many cases, the more things you learn, the less things you know. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)