Grammar: The

The

1. You use "the" with singular nouns and when the person you are talking to knows the thing or person you are talking about:

• I spoke to the Queen yesterday (the Queen of England)I left the food inthe fridge (the fridge in my house)I bought two skirts and a watch. Theskirts were expensive (the skirts I bought)
• Have you washed the glasses? (the glasses we have been using)

2. You use "the" when there is only one of something:

• Madrid is the capital of Spain
• The earth goes round the sun

3. You use "the" with a singular noun when you want to make general statement.

• The book is very interesting

4. However, you do not use "the" with plural nouns to make a general statement.

We say:

The sky / The sea / The ground / The country / The environment / The cinema / The theatre

We do NOT say:

The breakfast / The lunch / The dinner

Example:

• What did you have for breakfast?