What Is a Definite Article? | Meaning & Examples

The definite article “the” is a determiner that goes before a specific rather than a general version of a noun. The noun can be singular (e.g., “the house”) or plural (e.g., “the cars”). Definite articles can also modify countable nouns (e.g., “the song”) or uncountable nouns (e.g., “the music”).

The rules about when to use definite articles depend on two factors.

  1. Singular, countable nouns always need a determiner:
    • The definite article “the” or another determiner (e.g., “Paul’s” or “that”) for a specific version (e.g., “I enjoyed the first song on Ringo’s new album”)
    • An indefinite article—“a” or “an”—for a general version (e.g., “I hope he releases a new album again soon”)
  1. For plural nouns and uncountable nouns (nouns without a plural form), you have these options:
    • The definite article “the” or another determiner for specific versions (e.g., “The salt I bought today is from Portugal”)
    • Zero determiner for general versions (e.g., “I’m craving salt” or “Pretzels make me thirsty”)

In a sentence, “the” is located before the noun it modifies (if there are no other modifiers), the noun’s first adjective, or an adverb that modifies the noun’s first adjective.

Definite article examples
James is the title of Percival Everett’s latest novel.

Louise served the hot artichoke dip on New Year’s Eve.

The extremely rare spider that the scientists discovered is harmless.

To use “the” correctly, follow the definite article guidelines below, or use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.

Definite vs indefinite articles for singular nouns

Anytime you use a singular, countable noun, you need a definite or indefinite article or another determiner (e.g., the possessive noun in “Alfonso’s new car”). To choose the right article for a countable, singular noun, follow these steps:

  • Use the indefinite article “a” or “an” for a singular, countable noun that is nonspecific or unfamiliar to your audience. The first time you mention a noun, an indefinite article is usually correct.
  • Use the definite article “the” for a specific version of a singular, countable noun. “The” is correct when your reader or listener knows the exact noun you mean.
Indefinite vs definite articles examples
“A” or “an” for the noun in general “The” for a specific version
I ordered a chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich I ordered was spicy and delicious.
The travel agent wrote an itinerary for our trip to London. The itinerary includes a stop at the Tower of London.

Definite article vs zero article (plural and uncountable nouns)

When you use plural nouns or uncountable nouns (aka “mass nouns”), you need a definite article, another determiner (except “a” or “an”), or zero article (no article before the noun or any of its other modifiers).

A common error for mass nouns and plurals is to use “the” when you don’t need it. To choose between “the” or zero article, follow these steps:

  • Use zero article for general versions of plural nouns and uncountable nouns or when you mention the noun for the first time (e.g., “We grew tomatoes last summer”).
  • Use the definite article when your reader or listener knows exactly which noun you’re referring to (e.g., “We used some of the tomatoes for salsa”).

Plural nouns and definite vs zero article

If you’re referring to the plural noun in general, do not use an article or other determiner. For specific versions of plural nouns, use “the” or any other determiner (e.g., “my” or “those”) besides indefinite articles. The indefinite articles “a” and “an” never modify plurals.

Plural nouns and definite vs zero article examples
Zero article for the plural in general “The” for a specific plural noun
The diner increased prices because eggs are more expensive now. The eggs from Maggie’s farm are a lovely shade of green.
Professor Klump gives pop quizzes every Friday. Carla aced all of the quizzes last month.
Bread is bad for geese because it’s low in nutrients. The geese at the nature center eat berries and lettuce.

Uncountable nouns and definite vs zero article

Uncountable nouns are words that you can’t quantify. They can be concrete (e.g., “tea” or “rice”) or abstract (e.g., “patience”). As with plural nouns, do not use articles with general versions. Use “the” or another determiner (besides indefinite articles) before an uncountable noun that your reader or listener knows about.

Uncountable nouns and definite vs zero article examples
Uncountable noun type Zero article examples Definite article examples
Material substances (e.g., “gold” or “vinegar”) People who are lactose intolerant cannot eat cheese. The sharp cheddar cheese on the charcuterie board is from a local creamery.
Abstract concepts (e.g., “freedom,” “wisdom,” “creativity,” or “intelligence”) Millennials value flexibility at work. The best part of my job is the flexibility to work from home.
Good teachers have creativity and patience. This biology teacher has the patience of a saint.
Categories (e.g., anything that you could say “a piece of” before—such as “clothing” or “equipment”) Never pay full price for furniture unless it’s handmade. All of the furniture at IKEA is half price today.
Tip
For substances like food ingredients, omit “the” when it would also make sense to say “a [unit] of” or “x amount of” before the word.

  • The recipe requires the dark chocolate.
  • The recipe requires dark chocolate.
  • The recipe requires 4 ounces of dark chocolate.

Proper nouns and the definite article

Some proper nouns never have a definite article (or any other determiners). For other proper nouns, you always need “the.”

Proper nouns and definite article examples
Proper noun Rules Examples
Country names  Zero article for names with one word The flight to Australia is 20 hours long.
“The” for countries with plural nouns, “of,” “kingdom,” “federation,” or “republic” The Philippines will have an election in May.
Ellen DeGeneres lives in the United Kingdom. (Also use “the” with abbreviations for these countries—such as “the UK”)
Cities and states Zero article The largest state in India is Rajasthan.
Kansas City has the best barbeque in the world.
Proper names of groups (e.g., bands or sports teams) “The” for plural group names Most people know at least one song by the Beatles.  

(Note: Some groups with plural names intentionally leave out “the”—such as Mumford & Sons and Talking Heads.)

The Royals won the World Series in 2015.
Zero article for singular group names Ted wants AFC Richmond to win the tournament.
Drew Carey saw Phish in Las Vegas last year.
Museums and monuments “The” in most if not all cases The Taj Mahal was built in the 1600s.

(Names of complexes and ancient cities—such as Angkor Wat or Chichén Itzá have no article.)

Geographical bodies “The” for oceans, rivers, mountain ranges, deserts, and names with plural nouns or “of” Brittany has a house on the Lake of the Ozarks.
The saguaro cactus grows in the Sonoran Desert.
Zero article for lakes that don’t have plural nouns or “of” The largest freshwater lake in the world is Lake Superior.
Historical periods “The” The Renaissance started during the 14th century.
Sacred texts “The” The professor teaches courses on the Quran and the Tao Te Ching.
Languages and academic subjects Zero article Julie speaks French and studies art in Paris.

The definite article for superlative adjectives

Nouns with superlative adjectives (e.g., “best” or “fastest”) always need the definite article “the.” Superlatives show that a noun has a characteristic to the greatest extent in comparison to two or more other nouns.

“The” before superlative adjectives examples

The best movie of 2024 was A Complete Unknown

Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most inspiring leaders of all time. 

John is the tallest person in our family. 

Frequently asked questions about definite articles

Is the an article?

The word “the” is an article. “The” is the definite article in English (as opposed to the indefinite articles “a” and “an”).

“The” is one of the determiners that can modify specific rather than general versions of nouns. When readers know exactly which noun you mean, use “the” or any other determiner (e.g., “my” or “this”) besides indefinite articles.

You can use “the” before all of these types of nouns:

  • Singular (e.g., “The purse over there belongs to me”)
  • Plural (e.g., “Except for the coins in my wallet, I don’t have any cash”)
  • Countable (e.g., “I put all the pens in the desk drawer”)
  • Uncountable (e.g., “I gave all of the gum to my niece”)

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use “the” and other articles or determiners correctly in your writing.

How do you use the in a sentence?

Use “the” in a sentence to modify a specific version of a noun. Anytime your reader knows the exact noun you mean, use the definite article “the” or any other determiner besides the indefinite articles “a” or “an” (which are for general versions of nouns).

“The” can modify nouns that are singular, plural, countable, or uncountable. Some examples of “the” in a sentence include the following:

  • Nick baked the cake for Sarah’s birthday. [Singular, countable noun]
  • Please fold all of the shirts in this basket. [Plural, countable noun]
  • The soap in your bathroom smells like lavender. [Uncountable noun]

When you’re writing sentences with “the,” QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.

Is that an article?

The word “that” is not an article but rather, a demonstrative pronoun.

The articles in English are the definite article “the” and the indefinite articles “a” and “an.”

Use “that” before a singular, countable noun that is clear from the context or that has already been mentioned (e.g., “I’m binge watching Ted Lasso again because I love that show”).

When you’re writing with indefinite articles, definite articles, or demonstrative pronouns, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker is here to help.

Is a an article?

The word “a” is an article. More specifically, “a” is one of the two indefinite articles (“a” and “an”).

Indefinite articles modify general versions of singular and countable nouns (e.g., “a bicycle” means “any bicycle” whereas “the bicycle Mia got for her birthday” refers to one specific bicycle”).

Use “a” before the noun it modifies, the first adjective that modifies the noun, or the adverb that modifies the noun’s first adjective.

Use “a” instead of “an” when the next word begins with a consonant sound (e.g., “She wore a gold necklace”).

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use the indefinite article “a” correctly in your writing.

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Nicole Routh, M.Ed

Nicole has a master’s in English Education and detailed expertise in writing and grammar instruction. She’s taught college writing courses and written handbooks that empowered students worldwide.