Learn English – Definite article in the question “What is the time?”

definite-articles

I am not a native speaker.

Could you please explain to me why we use the definite article in the following question:

What is the time?

Best Answer

The article "the" indicates that you are referring to a specific instance. So you say, "What is the time?" if you are asking for a specific time. Usually that would mean the time right now, though in context it could mean the time of some event under discussion. (Like, "We're planning a meeting to discuss this. The date of the meeting will be August 12." "Okay. And what is the time?")

Without an article, you would be referring to time in general. If you asked, "What is time?", you would be likely get a philosophical discussion on the nature of time. (Like, "What is time?" "Time is what keeps everything from happenning all at once.")

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