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Shared or previously mentioned reference. A1 by level, near the hardest thing in English by difficulty.
Why you specifically
Mạo từ xác định the dùng khi danh từ đã xác định rõ: người nghe biết bạn đang nói về ai/cái gì, hoặc danh từ đó đã được nhắc trước, hoặc được xác định bởi ngữ cảnh. the làm cho danh từ trở nên “cụ thể”, không còn là một đối tượng bất kỳ nữa. Ví dụ: a book = một quyển sách bất kỳ, còn the book = quyển sách cụ thể đó. Nhiều người Việt hay bỏ the vì trong tiếng Việt thường không có mạo từ, nhưng trong tiếng Anh bạn phải kiểm tra xem danh từ là chung hay riêng, đã biết hay chưa, rồi mới chọn đúng. Dùng the khi danh từ đã xuất hiện trước đó, khi cả người nói và người nghe đều biết, khi chỉ có một thứ duy nhất, hoặc khi cụm phía sau danh từ làm nó trở nên xác định.
The rule
The definite article the is used when a noun is specific, known, or already mentioned. It tells the listener which person or thing you mean. This is different from a/an, which introduces one non-specific singular countable noun for the first time: a book means any book, while the book means one particular book that is already known from context or discussion. Vietnamese learners often leave out the because Vietnamese usually does not need an article, so in English you must check whether the noun is general or specific. Use the when the noun has already been mentioned, when the speaker and listener both know it, when there is only one of it, or when a phrase after the noun makes it specific.
Both correct
Every sentence here is correct English. Only the meaning changes.
I bought a book yesterday.
First mention: one non-specific book.
I read the book last night.
Second mention: the same specific book.
She works in a hospital.
Any one hospital, not a particular hospital.
She works in the hospital.
A specific hospital known from context or situation.
I like music.
A general category of music.
I like the music on the radio.
A specific piece of music that both speaker and listener know.
The trap
Sun is very bright today.
The sun is very bright today.
Use the when there is only one of something in the world, such as the sun, the moon, or the earth.
I bought a book and book was expensive.
I bought a book and the book was expensive.
Use the when you mention the same noun again after it has already been introduced.
Teacher gave us homework.
The teacher gave us homework.
Use the when both speaker and listener know which person or thing is meant from the situation.
I need key to my room.
I need the key to my room.
Use the when a specific noun is identified, not when you mean any one item in general.
Prove it
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