Definite and indefinite articles

Exact Definitions

If you are describing exactly what you are looking for, then you would use the definite article “the.” This would include a specific “forest” or a particular “restaurant.”

• 
  Our house is across the street from the Chinese restaurant.
  
• 
  Let's open the Chardonnay that Pam and Dale gave us for our anniversary.
  
• 
  The red car outside got scratched.
  

Other Definite Article Rules

There are a lot of very specific rules for whether to use a definite or indefinite article, but they all fall into one of the categories mentioned. For example:

1. 
   We use “the” when we use an ordinal number like first, second or third, because using an ordinal number describes exactly which one.
   
2. 
   We also use “the” with the names of specific rivers, monuments and the names of certain countries.
   
3. 
   Use “the” where the clause is introduced with the word “only.”
   

But at the heart of all those rules, there's a broader one at work. So, if you can just remember the ones given here, you'll be all set.

Exceptions to the Rules

While there are rules for when to use indefinite and definite articles, language is never quite that simple. Each one has exceptions to the rules.