The use of the definite article the. When to use the indefinite article

Today we will talk about the rules for using articles in English. There is no such concept in Russian grammar, so this topic is considered one of the most difficult. But in our article we will try to clarify everything. Using understandable examples, we will show when the definite article the is put, and in what cases - the indefinite article a / an or zero article.

General rules for the use of articles in English

Why do we need an article in English? Its main function is to indicate the definiteness or indefiniteness of a noun. Therefore, there are two articles in English - the indefinite article a / an (indefinite article) and the definite article the (definite article). There is also such a thing as zero article (zero article).

The choice of one of the articles is inextricably linked with:

Indefinite article a/an is used with singular countable nouns.
Definite article the can be used with countable nouns (regardless of their number) and with uncountable nouns.
Zero article used with uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns.

I heard a story(a countable noun in the singular). - I heard history.
It is good advice(uncountable noun). - This one good advice.
I liked the films(countable noun in plural). - I liked it films.

Students often make three typical mistakes when choosing an article:

Use the indefinite article a/an with plural countable nouns:
I'd like to buy a books. - I would like to buy books.
Use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns:
I love a modern furniture. - I love modern furniture.
Use countable nouns in the singular without an article:
You should visit doctor a doctor. - You should go to doctor.
Give this toy to dog the dog. - Give me this toy. dog.

If a noun is used with an adjective, then we put the article before the adjective.

It is a hot day. - Today hot day.
It is the hottest day of this week. - This is hottest day for this week.

We do not use the articles a, an, or the if the noun is already preceded by:

(my - mine, his - his);
(this - this, that - that);
numeral (one - one, two - two).

This is my house. - This is my house.
I have one sister. - I have one sister.

The main principle of choosing the article in English: we put the indefinite article a / an when we are not talking about a particular object, person or phenomenon, but about one of many. If we are talking about something or someone specific, we use the definite article the.

Articles are not translated into Russian, but if you try to translate the meaning, then the indefinite article means “one”, the definite one means “this”, “that”.

I need a pure. - I need handbag. (one bag)
I need the pure I took yesterday. - I need handbag which I took yesterday. (the same, specific handbag)

A/An	The
I had an orange for lunch. - I ate for lunch. orange. (some one orange)	The orange was delicious. - Orange was delicious. (the same orange that I ate for lunch)
My parents bought a car. - My parents bought car. (any one car, we don’t know which one)	The car is incredible. - The car amazing. (the same car that my parents bought)
Would you like to watch a film? - Do you want to see movie? (don't know which movie yet)	Sure, let's watch the film has been released this week. - Sure, let's see. movie which came out this week. (specific movie)

Watch two video clips: the first is about any movie, and the second is about a specific one:

To make it easier for you to remember the general rules for using articles in English, we suggest that you keep our author's scheme for yourself.

The indefinite article a/an in English

The choice of the indefinite article a or the indefinite article an depends on the sound with which the word following the article begins.

Put the article a if the word starts with a consonant: a f ilm /ə fɪlm/ (film), a c ake /ə keɪk/ (pie), a p lace /ə pleɪs/ (place).

Put the article an if the word starts with a vowel: an a rm /ən ɑːm/ (hand), an e gg /ən eɡ/ (egg), an i nteresting /ən ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/ book (an interesting book).

note:

The words house (house) and hour (hour) begin with the letter h. In the word house /haʊs/ the first sound is a consonant, so we put the article a - a house before it, and in the word hour /ˈaʊə(r)/ the first sound is a vowel, which means we choose the article an - an hour.

The words university (university) and umbrella (umbrella) begin with the letter u. In the word university /juːnɪˈvɜː(r)səti/, the first sound is a consonant, which means we need the article a - a university, and in the word umbrella /ʌmˈbrelə/ the first sound is a vowel, which means we use the article an - an umbrella.

In addition to the general rules, there are special cases of using the indefinite article a / an:

When we classify someone or something, that is, we indicate to which group, type, genus this someone or something belongs.
She's a nurse. - She works nurse.
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink. - "Coca-Cola" - non-alcoholic carbonated drink.
To indicate singularity when expressing measures of time, distance, weight, quantity, periodicity.
Lemonade costs $2 a liter. - Lemonade costs two dollars per ( one) liter.
I drive at 50 kilometers an hour. - I drive at a speed of 50 kilometers in ( one) hour.
I want a hundred roses. - Want hundred (one hundred) roses.

You will find more information on this topic in the article " The indefinite article in English".

The definite article the in English

In the general rules, we told the main cases of using the article the, now we will consider many special cases:

The definite article the is used with one-of-a-kind, exceptional objects: the sun (sun), the environment (environment), the internet (Internet).
The adjective will help to make objects unique: the tallest building (the tallest building), the best singer (the best singer), the most expensive car (the most expensive car).
And thanks to the words only (the only one), same (the same), first (the first) objects also become unique: the same exam (the same exam), the only person (the only person), the first time (the first time).
Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space. - Yuri Gagarin was first person in space.
To describe or refer to a group of objects, a certain class as a whole, use the construction “the + countable noun in the singular”.
The Cheetah is the fastest animal in the world. - Cheetahs are the fastest animals in the world. (we are not talking about one cheetah, but about an animal species)
I play the piano. - I play piano.
I consider the telephone to be the most important invention. - I think that telephone is the most important invention.
Also, when talking about a group of people, use the construction "the + adjective". Note that the verb in this case will be plural.
For example: the young (youth), the poor (poor), the homeless (homeless).
The young always argue with their parents. - The youth always arguing with his parents.
The same construction is used with adjectives that end in -ch, -sh, -ese, if all representatives of a nation are meant.
For example: the French (French), the English (English), the Chinese (Chinese).
The French are charming. - French people adorable.
The Vietnamese are very hard working. - Vietnamese very industrious.
When referring to all family members as a group of people, use the definite article the and the plural surname: the Joneses.
Often the definite article the is used with names:
- buildings (hotels, cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries, restaurants, pubs) - the Plaza hotel (Plaza hotel), the Odeon (Odeon restaurant), the Kremlin (Kremlin), the Red Lion pub (Red a lion");
- newspapers (the article is part of the name and is capitalized) - The Times (The Times newspaper), The Guardian (The Guardian newspaper);
- sporting events - the FIFA World Cup (world football championship);
- historical periods and events - the Bronze Age (Bronze Age), the Vietnam War (Vietnam War);
- famous ships and trains - the Mayflower (ship "Mayflower");
- organizations, political parties, institutions - the Red Cross (Red Cross), the Democratic Party (Democratic Party);
- with those names that have the preposition of - the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa), the University of Cambridge (Cambridge University)
The definite article the is also used with some geographical names:
- with countries that contain the words states (states), kingdom (kingdom), federation (federation), republic (republic), emirates (emirates) in the name - the United States of America (United States of America), the United Kingdom (UK) , the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic), the Russian Federation (Russian Federation);
- with the names of rivers, seas, canals, oceans, deserts, groups of islands, chains of mountains: the Amazon (Amazon), the Maldives (Maldives), the Black Sea (Black Sea), the Sahara (Sahara), the Panama Canal (Panama Canal) ).
With the words theater (theater), cinema (cinema), radio (radio), when we talk about pastime.
I often go to the cinema with my friends. - I often go to cinema with friends.

Zero article in English

In English, there are nouns with which the article is not used, such an article is called zero.

The article is not used in the following cases:

With uncountable nouns that denote food, substances, liquids, gases and abstract concepts.
I don't eat rice. - I do not eat rice.
With plural countable nouns when we are talking about something in general.
Wolves are predators. - Wolves- predators. (all wolves)
With names, surnames of people.
James like golf. - James loves golf.
With titles, ranks and forms of address, followed by the name - Queen Victoria (Queen Victoria), Mr Smith (Mr. Smith).
With the names of continents, countries, cities, streets, squares, bridges, parks, isolated mountains, individual islands, lakes.
He went to Australia. - He went to Australia.
With the names of pubs, restaurants, shops, banks and hotels that have a last name or first name that ends in -s or - "s - McDonald" s, Harrods.
With the names of sports, games, days of the week, months, meals, with the word TV (television).
Let's meet on Thursday and watch TV. - Let's meet at Thursday and see TV set.
I don't play football in February. - I don't play football in february.
With the words church (church), college (college), court (court), hospital (hospital), prison (prison), school (school), university (university), when we talk about them in general as public institutions. However, if we mean a building, we use the definite article the or the indefinite article a/an, depending on the context.
Noah is at school. - Noah in school. (He's a student)
His mother is at the school on a parents' meeting. - His mother in school at the parent meeting. (she came to a certain school building)
In some fixed expressions, for example:
- go to bed / be in bed;
- go to work / be at work / start work / finish work;
- go home / come home / arrive home / get home / be at home;
- go to sea / be at sea.
My husband is a night-watchman, so he goes to work when I go home. - My husband is a night watchman, so he he's going to work, when I I am going home.
Did you go to sea while I was in bed? - You went to sea, while I was in bed?
When describing a mode of transportation with the preposition by: by bus (by bus), by car (by car), by plane (by plane), by foot (on foot).

Finally, we offer to pass our test to consolidate the new material.

Test for the use of articles in English

If it seems to you that the meaning of speech will be clear even without the use of articles in English, you are right. You will be understood, but for native speakers it will sound about the same as for us the speech of foreigners without genders and cases: “I want water”, “My car is fast”. If you want to speak English fluently and fluently, we recommend that you save this article for yourself.

Please note that we have given the basic rules for using articles in English. In addition to them, there are many more nuances, exceptions and special cases that students with a level and above study.

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Indefinite article a/an in English (the indefinite article) has two forms:

a[ə] - used before consonants. That is, if the word begins with a consonant sound, it is used a:

a b ok, a t able, a m an, a g irl, a c computer, a t omato, a yacht [ jɒt], a unit[ ˈj uːnɪt]

an[ən] - used before vowels. That is, if the word begins with a vowel sound, it is used an:

an a pple, an e ngineer, an i dea, an o range, an a nswer, an hour [ˈ aʊə(r)]

Please note that the choice of the form of the indefinite article is determined not by spelling, but by pronunciation.

For example, the word hour starts with a vowel, so we use the article an (an hour), although the first letter is a consonant h. Or, for example, the word yacht (yacht) spelled with a vowel y, but the consonant sound [j] is pronounced, so we choose a (a yacht). The use of different forms of the same article helps to make speech harmonious, light, natural. Try to pronounce a apple or an book and you will feel how difficult and uncomfortable it is.

Remember:

Indefinite article a/an used only with in the singular:

a pen(pen), a story(story), a chair(chair), a child(child), a flower(flower)

If the noun is used in the plural form, then the indefinite article is absent. The absence of an article before a noun is commonly referred to as the "zero article".

pens(pens), stories(stories), chairs(chairs), children(children), flowers(flowers)

When the indefinite article a / an is used

Below you will find a description of the main uses of the indefinite article. a/an in English.

№1

Indefinite article a/an used when we first mention an object or person. In this case, we assume that our interlocutor does not know what or who we are talking about.

Yesterday I bought a handbag. — I bought a bag yesterday.
Up until this point, I hadn't even said that I was going to buy a bag. That is, I mention this for the first time (my interlocutor does not know anything about this bag), hence the indefinite article a/an.

If you continue to talk about this bag, then the noun handbag (bag) will already be used with the definite article the, since this time the interlocutor knows which particular bag we are talking about:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. The handbag is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. The handbag is very beautiful.

Although most often a personal pronoun is used instead of a noun, it sounds more natural and avoids repetition:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. It is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. She's very beautiful.

№2

Indefinite article a/an is used when we are not talking about a given (specific) object or person, but simply about any, about some, about one of a group of the same objects or people. In other words, when we talk about an object or a person in general, not meaning a specific skirt, work, handle or dog:

I want to buy a skirt. — I want to buy a skirt. (some kind of skirt, I don’t know which one yet; I only know that I want a skirt, not a dress)
He refused to look for a job. He refused to look for a job. (any job)
give me a pen, please. - Give me a pen, please. (any, any)
It is a dog. - This is a dog. (some dog, any dog)

When we are not talking about a certain object or person, but about any, then further, if we need to re-designate it, we do not use personal pronouns or the definite article the. Again, we use the indefinite article a/an or pronoun one.

She wants a car but he says they don't need one. She wants a car, but he says they don't need it.
or
She wants a car but he says they don't need a car. She wants a car, but he says they don't need a car.
She wants to have a car (not a motorcycle, not a bicycle, but some kind of car, so a car), but he says that they do not need a car (they do not need any car at all, and not some specific one). Since in the second part of the sentence we are again talking about any / indefinite machine, we again use a car.

№3

Indefinite article a/an we also use to describe or give some information about what has already been mentioned before. In this case, an adjective is often used before the noun. Note that although the article comes before the adjective, it refers to the noun:

It is a beautiful place. - This is a beautiful place. (describe what this place is)
He is a clever boy. - He is a smart boy. (characterize what kind of boy he is)
Do you live in a big house? — Do you live in a big house? (we ask which house)

When we talk about a person's profession or work, we also use the indefinite article a/an:

She is a teacher. - She is a teacher.
I am a doctor. - I am a doctor.

№4

Historically indefinite article a/an derived from the numeral one (one). Hence the possibility in some cases to replace the article a/an numeral one. Such a substitution is possible when the article a/an essentially means "one". For example, this meaning of the indefinite article is observed in numerals a hundred (one hundred), a thousand (thousand), a million (million) and in the word a dozen (dozen) when they are used alone or before a noun:

This toy costs a thousand rubbles. = This toy costs one thousan d rubbles. This toy costs a thousand rubles (one thousand rubles).
give me a dozen, please. = Give me one dozen, please. - Give me a dozen, please (one dozen).

It is with the origin of the numeral one (one) and the meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article is connected, which is especially evident when expressing measures of time, distance, weight or quantity:

This chocolate bar costs a dollar. This bar of chocolate costs a dollar. (=one dollar, we can replace a dollar on the one dollar)
I'll call you in an hour. - I'll call you in an hour. (=in one hour, we can replace an hour on the one hour)
Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? — Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? (=one kilogram, we can replace a kilo on the one kilo)

Please note that the numeral one instead of the article a/an should only be used if you want to emphasize that you are talking about exactly one thing or person, that is, when you want to be very precise:

I have got one sister. - I have one sister. (not two sisters, not three, but only one)
I have got a sister. - I have a sister. (in this case, I'm just reporting that I have a sister)

The meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article can be seen in some stable phrases that convey the one-time action:

have a look- take a look
have a snack- have a snack
have a try- try, try
have a rest- relax
have a good time- have a good time
give a chance- give a chance
give a hint- hint
give a lift- give a ride
make a mistake- make a mistake
play a trick- play a trick

№5

Indefinite article a/an also used when it is necessary to indicate the quantity per unit of measure. For example, when we talk about the price of oranges per kilogram, the amount of wages per month, the number of lessons per week, or the speed of a car per hour. The noun denoting this very one unit of measurement will be used with the indefinite article.

The oranges were 80 rubles a kilo. - Oranges cost 80 rubles per kilogram.
She works 8 hours a day. She works 8 hours a day.
I go to aerobics twice a week. — I go to aerobics twice a week.

№6

Indefinite article a/an can also be used with some uncountable abstract nouns (for example, humor - humor, hatred - hatred, anger - anger, magic - magic) when they carry an adjective. Usually such use of the indefinite article is characteristic of the book style and expresses the author's desire to emphasize the individual, special character of this or that abstract concept.

Note that in the case described above, the use of the indefinite article is optional. If you do not want to emphasize in a certain way the special character of any emotion, character trait, etc., the article a/an may not be used.

On a note

To learn how to use the indefinite article a/an more or less automatically, try forming this rule in your head: use the indefinite article with singular countable nouns when there is no other reason to use the definite article the or some other determiner (possessive or indefinite pronoun).

Articles are an important part of the English language. But unfortunately, this topic is not always clear to Russian-speaking students. Because there is no such phenomenon in their native speech. the rules for using articles must be studied by a person who wants to competently use various means of the English language. And in some situations, small and seemingly insignificant articles even help to correctly understand the interlocutors.

What are articles and what are they

An article is one that is inextricably linked with a noun. It does not have its own meaning (translation into Russian), but conveys only a grammatical meaning.

In English, the article does not indicate the gender and case of nouns. It conveys in some cases the only thing or but basically carries only the category of certainty-uncertainty. Based on this, there can be three situations with the article: its absence, indefinite and definite. Each of these three situations has its own specifics and its own rules.

The definite article was once formed from that. Therefore, in Russian one can often find the translation of “this”, “these”, etc. Formally, this is not entirely true, because the service parts of speech do not have a translation, but in the case of the article, especially certain, this is often allowed. It's all about the special stylistic function that he can play in a sentence, pointing in a special way to objects and people.

The use of the article the will be the topic of this article. We will consider various situations, give examples. There will be quite a lot of cases of use, but do not be alarmed if you cannot understand everything at once and even more so remember. As you immerse yourself more and more in English through constant practice, you will understand this logic and soon you will be able to easily determine which article is needed in each case.

Definite article before nouns

The classic case is when it is necessary to use the article the before the name of an object (person, animal), - the latter.

1. The called noun is the only one of its kind.

For example: the sun - the sun, the world - the world.

2. The noun is unique in this situation.

Do you like the pie? − Did you like the pie?

3. This subject (person, animal) has already been mentioned in this conversation and therefore the interlocutors understand what (whom) they are talking about.

I've got a cat. Her name is Lucy, she's very cute. May I take the cat with me? − I have a cat. Her name is Lucy, she is very sweet. Can I take my cat with me?

4. Such an article is also put before proper names when it is necessary to designate a whole family. For example: the Smiths.

Definite article before other parts of speech

Of course, the article the and any others are used only with nouns. Articles are not needed before other parts of speech. But it often happens that between the article and the noun associated with it there is a numeral or adjective. We will consider such cases.

1. The definite article is always placed before ordinal numbers: the century twentieth - the twentieth century.

2. The article the is also invariably placed before adjectives: the brightest star is the brightest star.

3. It is necessary to use the definite article when referring to a group of people united by a common feature: the young.

Definite article with geographical names and concepts

With those concepts that somehow relate to geography, the article the is used especially often.

1. Cardinal directions: the East (East).

2. Names of individual countries: the Russian Federation.

3. Oceans, seas, rivers, waterfalls: the Indian Ocean.

4. Groups of islands, lakes, mountains: the Bahamas.

5. Deserts and plains: the Great Plains.

There are also many exceptions to the use of the article (or lack of it) with geographical names, so the most reliable option is simple memorization. And if you have any doubts, you should always look into the grammar guide and clarify the question in a specific case.

The definite article in special cases

There are also a number of words that can act as a definition before a noun. These words are given in the table below.

	previous
	past, past, last
	the only one
	next
	next
	forthcoming
	correct, right

	central
	exactly the same one
	wrong, wrong
	the same
	upper, superior

You should always use the English article the with them. For example:

This is the very book I need! This is exactly the book I need!

The last time I saw him was Friday - The last time I saw him was Friday.

The definite article is also required before the words:

Definite article to enhance meaning

Separately, situations are distinguished when the article the carries a stylistic function. In these cases, it can be used before proper names, which under normal conditions remain without an article. This is best seen with an example. Compare two sentences: the first with the usual use of a proper name, and the second with a stylistic amplification of meaning.

This is Jack, always cheerful and generous! - This is Jack, always cheerful and generous!

This is the Jack I love most − cheerful and generous! - This is the same Jack that I love the most - cheerful and generous!

As it is easy to see, there is something common in all cases of using the definite article: it is usually placed before words that carry a specific, specific, narrow, unique meaning. Keep this in mind when you doubt the choice of a service word, and the reference book is not at hand.

Definite article- Definite article

Definite article refers to some specific, specific object that has already been mentioned, is known from the context, or is the only one of its kind at all.

The definite article in English has the form the, which is read [ði] before words that begin with a consonant sound and [ð?] - from a vowel.

The definite article is used with singular and plural nouns:

1. When we hear or read about an object not for the first time in a given context, when it is clear what is being said in this setting.
a. From previously said or read
When I was walking I saw a new store. When I was walking, I saw a new store.
The store was so big. The store was so big.
b. It's clear what's going on in this situation.
The seminar is over. The seminar is over (appeal to the participants of the seminar where they are at the moment).
2. With nouns that are somehow individualized.
a. The only thing in the setting
Could you show me the way to the sea, please. Could you show me the way to the sea, please? (Usually there is only one sea in a city.)
b. Clarification
Lend me the book you read yesterday. Lend me the book you read yesterday.
It is the Michael I dinned yesterday with. This is Michael, with whom I had lunch yesterday.
in. Substance in a certain amount
Pass me the salt, please. Pass me the salt, please (meaning the salt shaker).
3. With nouns that are the only ones of their kind in general (the names of the planets and their satellites, stars; sky, horizon, earth (soil), etc.), or in a certain situation / environment (for example, in an apartment - one floor and ceiling, in the city - one central park).
a. The only one of its kind at all
the Earth Earth (planet)
the Sun
the Moon
the ground earth (soil)
b. In a given situation/environment
the floor
the selling ceiling
The central park is in 5 minutes walking from here. Central Park is a five minute walk from here.
4. Before nouns that denote a whole class of any objects (persons / objects), except for the words man (man), woman (woman), God (God).
The eagle is a hawk. The eagle is a bird of prey.
The young ought to respect the old. The youth should respect the elders.
Do you believe in God? Do you believe in God?
Note: The same point is also in the material on the indefinite article. The fact is that both definite and indefinite articles can be used in front of nouns in a generalizing sense; in some cases they can be interchanged without distorting the meaning of the sentence, and in some not:
1. The article the is used when the attention in the sentence is focused on the generalization of the entire class of objects.
2. The article a/an reflects a property of an object, not the class to which it belongs.
5. A noun is preceded by a superlative adjective or ordinal number.
It is the first vacation for 2 years. This is the first vacation in two years.
This is the best movie I "ve ever seen. This is the best movie I've ever seen.
6. Before nouns that denote parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening, night).
I usually go to bed at nine in the evening. I usually go to bed at nine o'clock in the evening.
7. Before surnames in the plural, when one specific family is meant.
We are the visiting Volkovs tomorrow. Tomorrow we are going to visit the Volkovs.
8. Before the grammatical names of categories, forms.
The verb is the biggest grammar category in the English language. The verb is the largest grammatical category in the English language.
Note: When using the word English in the meaning of "English", the article is not used, and when adding the word language (language), the article is used the: The English language.
9. Before the names of nationalities and peoples.
The Russians are one hundred and twenty seven million of strength. The number of Russians is one hundred and twenty-seven million.
10. Before the names:
a. cardinal points
the South
b. Poles
the North Pole North Pole
in. Rivers, lakes, canals, seas, straits, oceans
the Red sea
Regions
the Far East Far East
e. Groups of Islands
the Hawaii
e. Deserts
the Gobi Desert
well. mountain ranges
the Himalayas Himalayas
h. Notable structures and buildings (unless the name includes the name of a person or place)
the Tower of Pisa
Buckingham palace
and. Clubs, theaters, cinemas, musical groups
the Bolshoi Theater
j. State organizations and political parties
the Greens
l. Most of the newspapers
the Times
m. Galleries, monuments and museums
the Tretyakov art gallery
n. Ships
the Aurora ship
about. Other names preceded by the definite article
the Metropol (Hotel)
The Moscow Narodny Bank
the Bolshoy Theater
the Moskva (Cinema) Cinema "Moscow"
the Pushkin Museum Pushkin
the ArbatRestaurant Arbat Restaurant
the Likhachev Plant
the Baltic Coast
the Thames (River)
the Mediterranean (Sea)
the Atlantic Ocean
the Persian Gulf
the Suez Canal
the Queen Elizabeth II (the ship)
the Spartak Stadium
the Canaries (the group of islands)
the Amazon Amazon (river)
the Sahara Sahara (desert)
the Black Forest Black forest (Ukraine)
the Alps (mountain ranges)
the Crimean war
the Indians (the ethnic group)
11. In phrases:
in the morning
in the afternoon
in the past
etc.
on the right
on the whole in general
etc.
the day before yesterday
the day after tomorrow
etc.
to go to the gallery
to go to the country
etc.

1. The definite article the comes from the demonstrative pronoun this this and can determine countable and uncountable nouns both in the singular and in the plural.

The definite article has two pronunciations: [ze] if it is followed by a word beginning with a consonant sound:
the theater

and, [zi] if the word following it begins with a vowel sound:
the apple - apple
the English lesson - English lesson

2. The definite article is usually used in the following cases:
a. If the noun has already been mentioned or from the context it is clear what subject (or person) is being discussed:

This is a map. The map is large.
This is a map. The map (mentioned in the first sentence) is large.

My children are in the village.
My children are in the village (the interlocutors know which village they are talking about).

b. If the noun is one of a kind or in this situation:

"The Red Book of the USSR" was published in 1978.
"The Red Book of the USSR" was published in 1978.

c. If a noun determined by ordinal number or superlative adjectives:

The first wealth is health.
Health is the first wealth.

d. If the noun has limiting definition, answering the questions what ?, whose ?, which ?, which can be expressed either by a noun with a preposition, or by a subordinate attributive clause, or by participial turnover:

People who have a sense of humor usually have the power of sympathy strongly developed.
People who have a sense of humor usually have a highly developed sense of empathy.

e. Before nouns denoting a substance, if we are talking about a certain amount of this substance, which can sometimes be seen from the context:

Pass the milk, please.
Pass the milk, please.

The water in the glass is very cold.
The water in the glass is very cold.

f. Before nouns denoting parts of the day:

I get up at seven in the morning.
I get up at seven in the morning.

g. Before surnames used in the plural to refer to members of the same family:

Not used to come to the Simonovs on Sundays.
On Sundays he usually came to the Simonovs.

h. Before names of theaters, cinemas, museums, art galleries, hotels, ships, newspapers, magazines etc.:

The British Museum was founded in 1753.
The British Museum was founded in 1753.

The Kremlin Palace of Congresses near the Troitsky gates was opened on October 17, 1961.
The Kremlin Palace of Congresses near the Trinity Gate opened on October 17, 1961.

i. Before names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, parts of the world:

Have you ever been to the Black Sea shore?
Have you ever been to the Black Sea coast?

The Urals divide the territory of Russia into European and Asian parts.
The Ural Mountains divide the territory of Russia into European and Asian parts.

The Volga is the longest river in Europe.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe.

j. Before names of grammatical categories(time, mood, pledge, case, etc.):

Some verbs in the Russian language are never used in the Passive Voice.
In Russian, some verbs are never used in the passive voice.

k. Before names of peoples, nationalities:

When at Rome, do as the Romans do.
When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do.

l. Before the following names of countries, localities and cities:

the Ukraine Ukraine
the Crimea
the Caucasus
the Congo Congo
the Netherlands
the Hague The Hague
the Lebanon
l like the sunny Crimea.
I love sunny Crimea.

m. Before geographical names, which are a combination of a common noun with a preceding defined word:

the United States
the English Channel - English Channel (English Channel)