The

/ðə,ði/
article

Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

The man who saw me was there
Visual representation of "the" - Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

Often appears as...

  • the girl
  • the way
article

Used to mark a noun as being used generically.

The tiger is the largest of all the cats
Visual representation of "the" - Used to mark a noun as being used generically.

Often appears as...

  • the dog
  • the car
article

Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

The man that wanted to talk to you is waiting
Visual representation of "the" - Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

Often appears as...

  • the time
  • the place
article

Used to make a generalized reference to something rather than identifying a particular instance.

He taught himself to play the piano
Visual representation of "the" - Used to make a generalized reference to something rather than identifying a particular instance.

Often appears as...

  • the clock
  • the bedroom
article

Used with units of measurement to mean one such unit.

A hundred dollars a day is a the average income
Visual representation of "the" - Used with units of measurement to mean one such unit.

Often appears as...

  • the second
  • the kilo
article

Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

The girl who sat next to me was quiet
Visual representation of "the" - Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

Often appears as...

  • the way
  • the time
article

Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

The man who saw me was there
Visual representation of "the" - Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

Often appears as...

  • the girl
  • the way
article

Used to mark a noun as being used generically.

The tiger is the largest of all the cats
Visual representation of "the" - Used to mark a noun as being used generically.

Often appears as...

  • the dog
  • the car
article

Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

The man that wanted to talk to you is waiting
Visual representation of "the" - Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

Often appears as...

  • the time
  • the place
article

Used to make a generalized reference to something rather than identifying a particular instance.

He taught himself to play the piano
Visual representation of "the" - Used to make a generalized reference to something rather than identifying a particular instance.

Often appears as...

  • the clock
  • the bedroom
article

Used with units of measurement to mean one such unit.

A hundred dollars a day is a the average income
Visual representation of "the" - Used with units of measurement to mean one such unit.

Often appears as...

  • the second
  • the kilo
article

Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

The girl who sat next to me was quiet
Visual representation of "the" - Used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase.

Often appears as...

  • the way
  • the time
Definition 1 of 6
Visual representation of "the"
LampPro Tip 1/2

Specific Qualifier

Use 'the' when the following words make clear which specific person or thing you mean.

Illustration for Specific Qualifier
The book on the table is mine.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Defining Relative Clauses

'The' is preceded by clauses with 'who', 'that', to specify a particular individual or group.

Illustration for Defining Relative Clauses
The students who study hard will pass the exams.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Specific Qualifier

Use 'the' when the following words make clear which specific person or thing you mean.

Illustration for Specific Qualifier
The book on the table is mine.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Defining Relative Clauses

'The' is preceded by clauses with 'who', 'that', to specify a particular individual or group.

Illustration for Defining Relative Clauses
The students who study hard will pass the exams.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Specific Qualifier

Use 'the' when the following words make clear which specific person or thing you mean.

Illustration for Specific Qualifier
The book on the table is mine.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Defining Relative Clauses

'The' is preceded by clauses with 'who', 'that', to specify a particular individual or group.

Illustration for Defining Relative Clauses
The students who study hard will pass the exams.
Visual representation of the word "The"

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Video examples

Attenborough: the...

To persuade females the come close and admire his plumes, he sings the most complex song he can manage and he does that by copying the songs

Video examples

Corpse Flower Stinks of...

this is rafflesia the corpse flower a meter across it's the world's biggest flower

Video examples

Caring for maternal...

I saw the world through new eyes I saw the world through a mother's eyes sorry

Video examples

Leopard Learns How to...

Even the river, normally a lifeline for the animals, has almost disappeared.

Video examples

Oviraptorid Defends Her...

Protecting the nest means Gigantoraptors' young are more likely to survive.

Video examples

The Rise of the Cali...

NEWS And they own Cali's main passion, the soccer team America.

Video examples

The Dark Side of...

Deeper into the swamp lies the reason for all this fishing.

Video examples

Dolphins React to...

this courageous explorer has paved the way for the others

Video examples

The truth about bats -...

Flying through the night, I watch over this world,

Video examples

Amy Purdy: Living beyond...

If your life were a book and you were the author,

Video examples

Attenborough: the...

To persuade females the come close and admire his plumes, he sings the most complex song he can manage and he does that by copying the songs

Video examples

Corpse Flower Stinks of...

this is rafflesia the corpse flower a meter across it's the world's biggest flower

Video examples

Caring for maternal...

I saw the world through new eyes I saw the world through a mother's eyes sorry

Video examples

Leopard Learns How to...

Even the river, normally a lifeline for the animals, has almost disappeared.

Video examples

Oviraptorid Defends Her...

Protecting the nest means Gigantoraptors' young are more likely to survive.

Video examples

The Rise of the Cali...

NEWS And they own Cali's main passion, the soccer team America.

Video examples

The Dark Side of...

Deeper into the swamp lies the reason for all this fishing.

Video examples

Dolphins React to...

this courageous explorer has paved the way for the others

Video examples

The truth about bats -...

Flying through the night, I watch over this world,

Video examples

Amy Purdy: Living beyond...

If your life were a book and you were the author,

Example 1 of 10

Quote examples

Barack Obama

American President

People of Berlin - people of the world - this is our moment. This is our time.
Portrait of Barack Obama

Quote examples

Leo Tolstoy

Russian Novelist

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
Portrait of Leo Tolstoy

Quote examples

Bill Gates

American Businessman

The protestor I think will speak up for the world's poorest.
Portrait of Bill Gates

Quote examples

Franz Kafka

Novelist

In the fight between you and the world, back the world.
Portrait of Franz Kafka

Quote examples

Plato

Greek Philosopher

The beginning is the most important part of the work.
Portrait of Plato

Quote examples

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian Leader

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

Quote examples

Charles Dickens

English Novelist

Tis love that makes the world go round, my baby.
Portrait of Charles Dickens

Quote examples

Victor Hugo

French Author

Life is the flower for which love is the honey.
Portrait of Victor Hugo

Quote examples

Muhammad Ali

American Boxer

I shook up the world, I shook up the world.
Portrait of Muhammad Ali

Quote examples

Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Artist

Our life is made by the death of others.
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci

Quote examples

Barack Obama

American President

People of Berlin - people of the world - this is our moment. This is our time.
Portrait of Barack Obama

Quote examples

Leo Tolstoy

Russian Novelist

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
Portrait of Leo Tolstoy

Quote examples

Bill Gates

American Businessman

The protestor I think will speak up for the world's poorest.
Portrait of Bill Gates

Quote examples

Franz Kafka

Novelist

In the fight between you and the world, back the world.
Portrait of Franz Kafka

Quote examples

Plato

Greek Philosopher

The beginning is the most important part of the work.
Portrait of Plato

Quote examples

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian Leader

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

Quote examples

Charles Dickens

English Novelist

Tis love that makes the world go round, my baby.
Portrait of Charles Dickens

Quote examples

Victor Hugo

French Author

Life is the flower for which love is the honey.
Portrait of Victor Hugo

Quote examples

Muhammad Ali

American Boxer

I shook up the world, I shook up the world.
Portrait of Muhammad Ali

Quote examples

Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Artist

Our life is made by the death of others.
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci
Example 1 of 10
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