Chapter 1-4-1: Definite Articles
The definite article “the” tells readers or listeners that its accompanying noun is identifiable; that is, the readers know exactly which specific noun the author is referring to. As long as the definite article is being used in this way to refer to things specifically, it can be used in front of every type of noun and noun phrase (singular count, plural count, and non-count nouns). For example:
Using definite articles with proper nouns
With a few exceptions, do not use an article with a proper noun unless the noun contains a prepositional phrase.
Let's go get some coffee at Tim Hortons. Let's go get some coffee at the Tim Hortons.
Let's go get some coffee at the Tim Hortons across the street.
Tim Hortons serves hot coffee. The Tim Hortons serves hot coffee.
The Tim Hortons in Nelson, British Columbia, serves hot coffee.
There are some exceptions to the rule, and these include:
Geographical terms such as bridge, building, ocean, region, or river
the Confederation Bridge, the Science Museum, the Pacific Ocean, the Northeast, the Thames River
Confederation Bridge, Science Museum, Pacific Ocean, Northeast, Thames River
Plural islands, lakes, and mountains
the Queen Elizabeth Islands, the Great Lakes, the Laurentian Mountains
Queen Elizabeth Islands, Great Lakes, Laurentian Mountains
Reference to a famous proper noun
I was referring to the great Wayne Gretzky.
Someone in my class is indeed named Justin Trudeau, but I was actually referring to the Justin Trudeau–the ex-prime minister of Canada.
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