MIXED ENGLISH ARTICLES EXERCISE 2 (ESL)

Grammar review Mixed articles — when the is required vs when it’s not

One of the biggest challenges in English article use is knowing when the is required and when it would be wrong. Here are the most important patterns.

The is required with:
• Unique things: the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth
• Superlatives: the tallest, the most expensive, the best
• Rivers, mountain ranges, seas, oceans: the Amazon, the Alps, the Pacific
• Groups of islands, countries with plural or common noun names: the Philippines, the United States
• Specified nouns: “the book you lent me”, “the woman at the door”

The is NOT used with:
• Most countries, cities, continents: France, London, Asia
• Languages and school subjects: English, mathematics
• Sports and activities: football, tennis, swimming
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Most transport expressions: by car, by train, on foot