The use of "the" before nouns

[dkyeung]

Some nouns use with "the" like : the cinema , play the violin , the piano . Some nouns do not use with "the" like : play football , playing ping pong . But is there any rules that I can follow to determine which words / types of things that I need to use with "the" and which words / types of things that I do not need to use with "the" .

Thanks for your help in advance .

[Rover_KE]

I'm afraid not.

You just have to pick them up as you go along.

Rover

[dkyeung]

thanks , Rover

[Tdol]

Also, it's not the case that we never ever use the definite article with football, for instance. It's a tendency not an absolute.