Definite article the/zero article

We use the definite article the . . .

• When something has been mentioned before, for example:

The videos.
The competition.
The companies.
The advertisements.

• When there is only one of something or the reference is to a whole group, for example:

The universe.

The car industry.

The world. 

The internet.

The advertising industry.

• Whit some country names that have plural nouns or the words States. Kingdom, or Republic in the name, for example:

The United States.
The U.K.
The Netherlands.

• With geographical features, for example:

The Atlantic Ocean.

The Canary Islands.

The Nile River.

The Greek Islands.

The Amazon.

• When the noun answer the question which? or what?, for example:

The cost of the camera (The cost of what?), the camera.

We use no article . . . 

• With plural countable nouns when talking about them generally, for example:

Advertisements.
Competitions.
Young people.

• With uncountable nouns when talking about them generally, for example:

Money.
Media.

• With names of people, months, cities, most countries, products, etc., for example: 

Joel Moss Levinsin.
Canada.
Paul Oaks

Practice: 

Instructions: Write below the sentence the function that is being used with the article the.

• The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean.

With geographical features.

• The product reiew recommended this camera.

When something has been mentioned before.

• Most people in the United States have acces to a computer.

Whit some country names that have plural nouns.

• Marketing agencies can collects data from all over the world.

When there is only one of something or the reference is to a whole group.

• Companies keep a record of the products web uy on their sites.

When the noun answer the question which? or what?. 

Video related to the topic:

Articulo "the"