articles: the

The means something like 'you know which one I mean'.
It is used with uncountable, singular and plural nouns.

• the water (uncountable)


• the table (singular countable)


• the stars (plural countable)

We use the:

a. to talk about people and things that we have already mentioned.

• She's got two children: a girl and a boy.


• The boy's fourteen and the girl's eight.

b. when we are saying which people or things we mean.

• Who's the girl in the car over there with John?

c. when it is clear from the situation which people or things we mean.

• Could you close the door? (Only one door is open.)


• 'Where's Ann?' 'In the kitchen.'
  


• Could you pass the salt?

2   We do not use the with other determiners (for example my, this, some.)

• This is my uncle. (NOT . . . the my uncle.)


• I like this beer. (NOT . . . the this beer )

We do not usually use the with proper names (there are some exceptions).

• Mary lives in Switzerland. (NOT The Mary lives in the Switzerland.)
  

We do not usually use the to talk about things in general — the does not mean 'all'.

• Books are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.)