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Definite articles
General principles
The definite article "the" (invariable in form) designates a person, place, or event which has been specified or defined by the speaker:
- Here's the book I bought.
- The cat is on the roof.
- He said he would bring the money.
Omission of the definite article
The definite article does not always precede nouns: sometimes indefinite articles or partitive articles will be used. Often, though, no article at all is necessary, as in the following cases:
1. As a general rule, the definite article is omitted before abstract nouns or nouns representing general categories. It is often omitted after verbs expressing opinions or preferences:
- Truth is the highest good.
- I don't like animals.
- Cats are nicer than dogs.
- Time flies.
- She likes coffee, but she hates tea.
2. Generally, the article is omitted before days of the week and dates:
- On Tuesdays the museums are closed.
- On Saturdays I sleep in.
- Friday night we are going dancing.
- I was born on June 16, 1980.
3. Generally, the article is omitted before names of countries, states, cities, and regions:
- France is seventeen times smaller than the United States.
- California is larger than Brittany.
Exception: Some names actually include the definite article, such as The Hague.
4. Generally, the article is omitted before titles or nouns indicating professions:
- President Mitterrand completed two terms.
- We saw Professor Miller at the restaurant.
- She met with Doctor Schmidt.
Use in negatives and interrogatives
The use of the definite article does not change in interrogatives and negatives.
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