How to use "the" (sporadic reference) I am confused with when to use "the" with nouns. Can anybody explain about "sporadic reference"? Here's the sentences i sometimes see and i still don't understand clearly why they use "the". She went to see "the" doctor. I went to "the" beach. (Ive heard many people say "the" beach not "a" beach even though they first mentioned "beach".) I read "the" newspaper. I take "the" bus to work. (You don't say "a" bus???) Do these sentences have to do with Sporadic Reference? I also heard the word "Generic Reference." What is the difference of them?