Chapter I. The article 1 the definite and indefinite article

What are Definite Articles?

“The” is the definite article used before a noun that has a specific identity and/or is already introduced earlier in the same context. Definite articles indicate a noun that refers to one particular thing, person, place, etc..
Example
I met the fireman who saved my dog the other day.
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“The fireman” refers to one specific fireman who the author haset before.
Example
The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
“The results” refer to specific results presumably already introduced earlier in the same context.
Example
This paper discusses a plan that would decrease the likelihood of cancer by making healthy choices.
“The likelihood of cancer” here is a specific uncountable noun.

When to use definite articles

Type of Noun	When to Use	Example
Countable noun	Referring to the entire, specific group	The kangaroo is an animal that loves to hop.
	One specific member of the countable noun	The moon rises above the horizon.
Uncountable noun	One specific uncountable noun	We examined the water in streams.
	Noun 1 + of + Noun 2	The edge of the horizon is the furthest visible distance.

Examples of Definite Articles in Use

Definite articles are also used in the following situations:

• 
  Before the names of famous places and landmarks and before specific rivers, oceans, mountain ranges, etc.
  
• 
  Before the names of public institutions, known magazines and newspapers, etc.
  
• 
  When generalizing an entire group or species
  

Example
The Eiffel Tower is the most visited tourist attraction in the world.
“The Eiffel Tower” here refers to a specific place, a well-known tourist attraction. Note that not all famous attractions take an article, but those that do always take a definite article.
Example
The emperor penguin is the largest species of penguin.
“The emperor penguin” refers to an an entire species of penguin.