What is the use of the word 'the' in the English language?

Answer 1

'The' has two main uses.

First of all 'the' is the 'definite article'. This means that the item identified by the following noun is a specificthing.

For example, compare these two sentences:

1. Please give me the red apple. (Or Please give me the apple that is on the table) - The word 'the' is called the 'definite article', and is used to restrict the request to a definite, defined, particular, specific thing. The request is not for any apple, but is for the particular apple that is identified in the sentence.

2. Please give me an apple. - The word 'an'here is the 'indefinite article'. 'An' means 'one'. The request here is not for a specific apple, it is just for one apple, but it can be ANY apple!

Another usage of 'the' is to identify someone or something as being quite unique.

Listen to this conversation:

First person: "I spoke to Tom Cruise yesterday."

Second person: "Not THE Tom Cruise?"

(Here the word THE is spoken with emphasis, i.e. as THEE, and not as the usual 'thuh')

It is possible that the first person might have a friend who happens to be called Mr Thomas Cruise, but this 'Tom Cruise' sells newspapers outside the bus station, is very poor, not handsome, and is definitely NOT the famous film star!

The second person only knows of Tom Cruise the film star, so he seeks clarification by asking if the first person is actually referring to THE Tom Cruise, (the fim star) or if is he talking about some 'ordinary' person who just happens to have the same name!