The definite article the is used before common nouns used in a particular sense.
The Definite Articles
Omission of the definite article
Omission of the definite article it’s happen before nouns used in a general sense. Examples Life is short Time waits for nobody. Time is money. If abstract nouns are used in a particular sense, the definite article is used. Examples: The music of Pink Floyd is beautiful. What is the time, please? […]
The definite articles before names of the rivers, seas, oceans and chains of mountains
Before names of the rivers, seas, oceans and chains of mountains. It's good practice to use the word river / lake before to avoid ambiguity.
The definite article before unique things
The definite article is used before unique things. Examples : The definite article before unique things The earth The moon The sun The north The south The west The South Pole The present The past
The definite article before the superlative
The definite article are used before the Superlative. Examples : The definite article before the Superlative She is the prettiest girl in the class. This is the best game that I ever see. I am the best among us. The best story ever written.
The definite article indicate whole class
The definite article are used before common nouns to indicate the whole class. Examples : The definite article indicate whole class
The definite article before ordinal numbers
The definite article also is used before ordinal numbers. Examples : The definite article before numbers Thursday is the fourth day of the week. The twentieth first century. the first the second the third the fifth the eighteenth the twenty-sixth the hundredth