Nouns with modification

The definite article is also used with nouns when it is the phrase or clause following the noun (rather than a previous word or the general situation) which indicates which thing the noun refers to. Nouns with phrases or clauses after them are said to be modified.

It is the title of the chapter.

...haunted by the fear that no one would turn up.

Nouns can be modified in a number of ways:

• by prepositional phrases:

The only way to learn the price of something is to pay for it.

The reason for this selection is obvious.

...on the basis of the data in Table 7.

Of course he knew the answer to that question.

• by relative clauses:

What about the argument that reality isn't like that?

...the amount it cost to build the house.

...to get back to the hotel where he was staying.

... the success which has been achieved.

• by clauses with non-finite verbs (that is, infinitives or participles ):

Power at work is the power to get decisions implemented.

...the interest paid on overdrafts and credit cards.

Note that when uncount nouns referring to qualities or feelings are used with the, it is usually because they are modified.

I tried to concentrate on the beauty of the scenery.

I share the anger that many of you must feel.

Nouns modified by an 'of'-phrase

There are two cases where an 'of'-phrase after a noun suggests a unique interpretation and so normally requires the definite article.

Firstly, where the noun involved refers to an action, event, or state and the 'of'-phrase indicates the performer of the action or the thing affected:

Following the closure of a Courtaulds factory.

Orders should not be cashed after the death of the person.

...the elimination of low pay.

Here the first nouns refer to (possible) actions or events, and can be related to verbs: a factory was closed, the person died, low pay was or will be eliminated. Secondly, certain nouns which refer to a part or characteristic of something are followed by an 'of'-phrase very frequently, and have unique reference.

...after the beginning of the tax year.

The price of copper fell spectacularly.

...Picture 5 at the top of page 43.

...at the end of 1980.

The tax year has only one beginning, copper has only one price, page 43 has only one top, 1980 has only one end. Here are some nouns like this.

back end middle top

beginning front price weight

bottom height size

edge length title

Note that you can also use the definite article before these nouns even when they are not modified because they are often found in association with other nouns which have been mentioned before.