Indefinite vs. Definite   Unique Reference In addition to second mention, certain special nouns, adjectives and grammatical structures can make the noun unique and thus always require the definite article (‘the’).   RANKING ADJECTIVES Three categories of adjectives can limit or restrict a noun to one specific instance of that class of things. These adjectives give the noun a unique identity and thus always require the definite article (‘the’). Superlatives:   The largest values, the highest bandwidth, the weakest signal, the most effective solution.   Sequencers:   The first stage, the second option, the final step, the following section, the previous example, the last ten years.   Unique Adjectives:   The same purpose, the only disadvantage, the main goal, the optimal solution, the current problem, the entire database.   SPECIAL NOUNS Many nouns refer to objects and concepts that are unique due to the fact that there is only one of that kind at any particular moment. Time:   The 1960s, the future, the present, the past   Physical feature of the world:   The sky, the Moon, the Earth, the solar system, the Ozone layer   Institutions and titles:   The Parliament, the Ozone layer the President, the Rector, the Dalai Lama.   Proper names derived from a common noun:   Name Common noun The The The The The The Baltic Tornio Black Czech European Karelia Sea River Forest Republic Union Project   Press the button below to see how a postmodifying genitive phrase can give a noun unique reference:

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