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- to refer to someone or something for the first time:
I have a brother. His name is Nestor.
- with jobs:
Martha is a graphic designer.
Henry is an engineer.
- with specific expressions of quantity:
a kilogram, twice a week, three times a day,
around once a year
- when something or someone was referred before:
He has a car. The car is red and brand new.
- to specify someone or something:
The chair is close to the kitchen. (a specific chair)
- when it’s clear the situation about a person or thing we know:
Can you turn off the light? (the light in this room)
Sharon took a taxi to the airport. (the airport we all know)
- with specific expressions:
go to the bank, the post office, the dentist, the doctor, the cinema, the theater,
- when there is only one of something.
The Sun, the Queen of England, the moon.
- with musical instruments
Hannah plays the piano very well.
- before seas, rivers, groups of islands or states, names of hotels and newspapers.
The Nile, The Mediterranean, The Philippines, The Times, The Ritz
- an uncountable noun refers to something in general:
Money is necessary to live
- with meals:
What did you have for breakfast?
We had lunch at a nice place.
- when you have a noun + number:
I need to get on train 5.
See you in Platform 9. (not the platform 9)
- with countable plural nouns which mean “general”
Dogs are very nice animals. (not The dogs…)