3.1 Usage:

The Definite Article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is particular or specific:

e.g. the teacher the crowd the mountains

3.2 Usage: Exceptions:

The is not used before:

A: uncountable nouns with a general meaning:

e.g. I think geography is very interesting. (not the geography)

Bill cannot eat meat. (not the meat)

Here are some more examples of general uncountable nouns:

life, transport, music, society

B: the name of a language:

e.g. French is a difficult language to learn. (not the French)

I speak English at home and German at the office. (not the English or the German)

C: names of countries:

e.g. Eric lives in England. (not the England)

Joan went to Italy for a holiday. (not the Italy)

D: days of the week, names of months, years:

e.g. He arrived on Monday. (not the Monday)

Bill visited me in July. (not the July)

E: names of meals:

e.g. What do you want for breakfast? (not the breakfast)

Mary ate lunch at midday? (not the lunch)

F: titles + names of people:

e.g. President Mitterrand (not the President Mitterand)

Queen Elizabeth II (not the Queen Elizabeth II)

G: names of towns/cities and famous buildings:

e.g. in Paris (not the Paris) at Oxford University (not the Oxford University)

H: certain nouns:

e.g. at school (not the school) by car (not the car)

Here are some more examples:

in/to prison at/to university at/to work at/from home at night on holiday