The definite article

The president will be speaking on TV tonight.

The CEO of Total is coming to our meeting.

Use the before superlatives and ordinal numbers.

Examples

• 
  This is the highest building in New York.
  
• 
  She read the last chapter of her new book first.
  
• 
  You are the tallest person in our class.
  
• 
  This is the third time I have called you today.
  

Use the with adjectives, to refer to a whole group of people.

Examples

• 
  The French enjoy cheese.
  
• 
  The elderly require special attention.
  
• 
  She has given a lot of money to the poor.
  

Use the with decades.

Examples

• 
  He was born in the seventies.
  
• 
  This is a painting from the 1820's.
  

Use the with clauses introduced by only

Examples

• 
  This is the only day we've had sunshine all week.
  
• 
  You are the only person he will listen to.
  
• 
  The only tea I like is black tea.
  

Use the with the names of famous buildings, works of art, museums, or monuments.

Examples

• 
  Have you been to the Vietnam Memorial?
  
• 
  We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa.
  
• 
  I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower.
  
• 
  I saw King Lear at the Globe.
  

Use the with the names of hotels & restaurants, unless these are named after a person.

Examples

• 
  They are staying at the Hilton on 6th street.
  
• 
  We ate at the Golden Lion.
  

Use the with the names of families, but not with the names of individuals.

Examples

• 
  We're having dinner with the Smiths tonight.
  
• 
  The Browns are going to the play with us.
  

When not to use "the"

Do not use the with names of countries (except for the special cases above).

Examples

• 
  Germany is an important economic power.
  
• 
  He's just returned from Zimbabwe.
  

Do not use the with the names of languages.

Examples

• 
  French is spoken in Tahiti.
  
• 
  English uses many words of Latin origin.
  
• 
  Indonesian is a relatively new language.
  

Do not use the with the names of meals.

Examples

• 
  Lunch is my favorite meal.
  
• 
  I like to eat breakfast early.
  

Do not use the with people's names.

Examples

• 
  John is coming over later.
  
• 
  Mary Carpenter is my boss.
  

Do not use the with titles when combined with names.

Examples

• 
  Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth's son.
  
• 
  President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
  

Do not use the after the 's possessive case

Examples

• 
  His brother's car was stolen.
  
• 
  Peter's house is over there.
  

Do not use the with professions

Examples

• 
  Engineering is a well-paid career.
  
• 
  He'll probably study medicine.
  

Do not use the with names of shops

Examples

• 
  I'll get the card at Smith's.
  
• 
  Can you go to Boots for me?
  

Do not use the with years

Examples

• 
  1948 was a wonderful year.
  
• 
  He was born in 1995.
  

Do not use the with uncountable nouns

Examples

• 
  Rice is an important food in Asia.
  
• 
  Milk is often added to tea in England.
  
• 
  War is destructive.