We use the when it is clear which thing or person we mean:
- What is the name of this street? (there is only one name)
- Who is the best player in your team? (there is only one best player)
- Can you tell me the time, please? (= the time now)
- My office is on the first floor. (= the first floor of the building)
Don't forget the:
- Do you live near the city center? (not near city center)
- Excuse me, where is the nearest bank? (not where is nearest ... )
the same ...
- We live in the same street. (not in same street)
- Are these two books different? No, they're the same. (not they're same)
We say:
the sun / the moon / the world / the sky / the sea / the country:
- The sky is blue and the sun is shining.
- Do you live in a town or in the country?
the police / the fire brigade / the army (of a city, country etc.)
- My brother is a soldier. He's in the army.
- What do you think of the police? Do they do a good job?
the top / the end / the middle / the left etc.
- Write your name at the top of the page.
- My house is at the end of the street.
- The table is in the middle of the room.
- Do you drive on the right or on the left in your country?
- Paula is learning to play the piano.
the radio
- I listen to the radio a lot.
the internet
- What do you use the internet for?
We do not use the with:
television / TV
- I watch TV a lot.
- What's on television tonight?
but Can you turn off the TV? (= the TV set)
breakfast / lunch / dinner
- What did you have for breakfast? (not the breakfast)
- Dinner is ready!
next / last + week/month/year/summer/Monday etc.
- I'm not working next week. (not the next week)
- Did you have a holiday last summer? (not the last summer)
Put in the where necessary. Write OK if the sentence is already correct.
1. What is name of this street? The name.
2. What's on TV tonight? OK.
3. Our apartment is on second floor. the second floor.
4. Would you like to go to moon? hospital. the moon?
5. Which is best hotel in this town? home. the best hotel in this town?
6. What time is lunch? OK.
7. How far is it to city center? the city center?
8. We're going away at end of May. the end of May.
9. What are you doing next weekend? OK.
10. I didn't like her first time I met her. the first time met her.
11. I'm going out after dinner. OK.
12. It's easy to get information from internet. It's easy to get information from the internet.
13. My sister got married last month. OK.
14. My dictionary is on top shelf on right. on the top shelf on the right.
15. We live in country about ten miles from nearest town. in the country about ten miles from the nearest town.
Make the sentences. Use the same + these words:
1. I live in North Street and you live in North Street. We live in. the same street.
2. I arrived at 8.30 and you arrived at 8.30. We arrived at. the same time.
3. James is 25 and Sue is 25. James and Sue are. the same age.
4. My shirt is dark blue and so is my jacket. My shirt and jacket are. the same color.
5. I have no money and you have no money. We have. the same problem.
Another example:
1. The sun is shining.
2. She's playing the guitar.
3. They're having breakfast.
4. He's watching television/TV.
5. They're swimming in the sea.
6. Tom's name is at the bottom of the list.
Make sentences. Choose from the list. Use the if necessary.
