一、定冠词不与表示一类人或事物的复数名词连用。例如：
1. I like reading the books.（×）I like reading books.（√）
2. She likes the cats.（×）She likes cats.（√）
二、定冠词不能用在某些习惯用语中的名词前面。例如：
1. I have lunch at the noon.（×）I have lunch at noon.（√）
2. We go to school by the bus.（×）We go to school by bus.（√）
三、定冠词不能用在某些专用名词和不可数名词前面。例如：
1. I like the China.（×）I like China.（√）
2. Would you like a cup of the water? （×）
Would you like a cup of water?（√）
四、定冠词不能用在节日、日期、月份、季节前面。例如：
1. Today is the Teachers' Day. （×）
Today is Teachers' Day.（√）
2. He was born in the May in 1987. （×）
He was born in May in 1987. （√）
五、定冠词不能用在表示称呼语或某些头衔的名词前面（尤其作表语、宾补时）。例如：
1. Good morning, the sir!（×）
Good morning, sir! （√）
2. I need some help, the Mummy.（×）
I need some help, Mummy.（√）
六、定冠词不能与名词前已有作定语用的this, that, my, your, some, any等代词连用。例如：
1. This the pen is mine. （×）
This pen is mine.（√）
2. I have the some money. （×）
I have some money. （√）
七、定冠词不能用在表示科目名词的前面。例如：
1. We will learn the Chinese, the history and the Maths this afternoon. （×）
We will learn Chinese, history and Maths this afternoon.（√）
2. The English is the most interesting of all the subjects.（×）
English is the most interesting of all the subjects.（√）
八、定冠词不能用在三餐和球类运动名词的前面。例如：
1. She goes to school after the breakfast every morning.（×）
She goes to school after breakfast every morning.（√）
2. We often play the football after school. （×）
We often play football after school. （√）