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What part of speech is the word the?
The can function as a definite article (which is a type of determiner) and as an adverb.
As the definite article, the is used to refer to a specific noun (e.g., “the horse”). As an adverb, the has a few different meanings, including “beyond all others” (e.g., “he likes his the best”).
| The book I want to buy is on sale. | The more, the merrier. |
| Please close the door on your way out. | The higher up you go, the colder it gets. |
| The kids are playing in the park. | The more you practice, the better you get. |
Using the as the definite article
The is an article, which is a type of determiner (i.e., a type of word that provides additional information about a noun). More precisely, the is the definite article, meaning it refers to specific nouns.
Although the helps specify nouns when used as a definite article, there are several ways it can be used, as shown in the examples below.
| Used to refer to a specific noun that has already been specified in previous context | I finally got around to reading the book you recommended. |
| Used to refer to a unique noun or something that is one of a kind | We sat outside and stared at the moon all night. |
| Used before times and dates to indicate specific occasions | We are planning to go to a concert on the ninth of May. |
| Used before some parts of the body to denote possession | How’s the leg treating you today? |
| Used to generally refer to subjects and branches of human endeavor | She studied the piano religiously when she was a child and into adulthood. |
| Used before a proper name to indicate distinctive qualities of a person or thing | The Lauren I know loves to spend time with her friends and family. |
| Used before the plural form of a surname to refer to all the family members | We got together with the Thompsons on Friday night for dinner. |
| Used before a word to indicate that it’s the best of its kind | After a relaxing day at the beach, I thought to myself, “this is the life.” |
| Used before superlatives and ordinal numbers to indicate rank or order | She is the greatest singer of our generation. |
| Used before singular adjectives functioning as nouns to indicate abstract concepts | My younger cousin always sees the good in people. |
| Used before a noun to refer to it as a whole group | I’m under the impression that the elite are only looking out for themselves. |
Note
It’s important to note that some grammar authorities categorize “determiners” as a distinct part of speech, while others group them with “adjectives.”
Using the as an adverb
The can also function as an adverb, which is a type of word that modifies verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, clauses, and complete sentences.
| Used to emphasize the degree of comparison | This is the best analysis of the film I’ve read so far. |
| Used to describe which degree something is used | The faster you start, the sooner you’ll be able to go outside and play. |
| Used to confirm or agree about the degree to which something is true | The faster you start, the sooner you’ll be able to go outside and play. |
| Used to indicate a degree that is greater than all others | Of all the free samples he tried, he liked the vanilla ice cream the most. |
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