What Is the Definite Article?
Definite Article
The definite article is the word the.
It is used before a noun to define it as something specific (e.g., something previously mentioned or known, something unique or something being identified by the speaker).
- I’m the murderer.
(This means a specific murderer, i.e., the one previously discussed.)
- Can we go to the park?
(The park is specific. It is known to the speaker and the listener.)
The definite article contrasts with the indefinite article. The indefinite article (a or an) defines something as unspecific (e.g., something generic or something mentioned for the first time).
- I’m a murderer.
(This means an unspecified murderer, i.e., not one previously discussed.)
- Can we go to a park?
(The park is unspecific. The speaker doesn’t care which one.)
More about the Definite Article
Articles are classified as determiners. A determiner sits before a noun to indicate quantity, possession, specificity or definiteness.
There are just two types of article in English:
- The Definite Article (the)
- The Indefinite Article (a and an).
Here’s an example with one of each:
- I have found a (indefinite) solution to the (definitive) problem.
(The solution is not yet known by the listener. The problem is known to both speaker and listener.)
[Of interest, the is the most commonly used word in English.]
Why Should I Care about Definite Articles?
There are two commonly discussed issues related to definite articles.
(Issue 1) Writing a job title or an office name with a capital letter.
A job title (e.g., president, judge, director) or the name of office (parliament, court, accounts section) is given a capital letter when it refers to a specific person or office (i.e., it becomes a proper noun). So, when the definite article (i.e., the) appears before such a title or name, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll need a capital letter.
Here’s the guidance: If the job title or office name is being used for its dictionary definition (i.e., as a common noun), then use don’t use a capital letter. However, if the job title or office name nails it down to one specific person or office (i.e., used as a proper noun), then use a capital letter.
- The King was a king among kings. ✔︎
- (Here, The King specifies an individual, but king and kings do not. They are just the dictionary definitions of the word king. In other words, the first one is a proper noun, but the other two are common nouns.)
- She works in one of the finance offices, in the Accounts Section, I think. ✔︎
- (The term finance offices is a common noun, but Accounts Section is a proper noun.)
(Issue 2) Capitalising the The that starts a name (e.g., The Beatles).
Some names (particularly band names) start with The (e.g., The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols). When such names appear in running text, you have a choice whether to write The (with a capital letter) or the. As there is no consensus among the leading style guides on this point, you can go with your preference. Remember that we are talking about a name in running text. In a formal list of names or a reference, you’d have to use The.
It is useful to think of an opening The as being only loosely bound to its name because there will be times when you ought to drop it.
- Did you download the Bastille album?
(The group is called Bastille.)
- Did you download the The Clash album?
(The group is called The Clash. Logically, this would be correct, but no one would write or say it because it’s far too unwieldy.)
- Did you download the Clash album?
(This is the most acceptable version, but we’ve lost the The.)
It is worth bearing in mind that this issue could affect you with foreign names with an opening “The”.
An extract from the 1999 Hugh Grant film Mickey Blue Eyes
- Gina Vitale: It’s called “The La Trattoria”.
- Michael Felgate: “The La Trattoria” means The The Trattoria.
- Gina Vitale: I know.
With a bit more clarity of thought, the owner of “The La Trattoria” would probably have registered it as “La Trattoria”.
- Does it disturb anyone else that “The Los Angeles Angels” baseball team translates directly as “The The Angels Angels”? (Unknown)
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AGH / Feb 2020