A – The Indefinite Article (a / an)

 

Use an indefinite article before an unspecified count noun, i.e. one that has not previously been identified.

Most families own a car.

 

Use a before singular nouns beginning with a consonant sound.

Use a before professions.

She’s a teacher – but - They are teachers.

 

Use an before singular nouns beginning with a vowel sound.

 

I bought a book yesterday.

We stayed in a hotel.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

 

Noncount nouns :

Never put a or an before a noncount noun.

 

Many children love ice cream.

 

 

B – The Definite Article

 

The definite article, the, can be used with both count and noncount nouns. Its use indicates that the speaker (or writer) and the listener (or reader) share a definite knowledge about the noun referred to.

 

Use the when :

 

1.      the noun has been qualified or limited;

The milk in the bottle has soured.

Mr. Jones bought a car yesterday. The car is a 1997 Honda Accord.

 

2.      the noun refers to the class or the thing in general;

The Mercedes symbolizes success.

 

3.      there is a superlative + noun construction;

The best things in life are free.

 

4.      the noun is one of a kind.

The earth is round.

 

 

THE DEFINITE ARTICLE WITH PLACE NAMES

 

Use the with :

 

1.      plural names :

names of mountain ranges : the Rocky Mountains

groups of islands : the Philipines

2.      names containing of : the Bay of Fundy

3.      names containing the words union, united and commonwealth : the United States

4.      most rivers, seas, oceans, channels, gulfs, straits : the St. Laurence River

5.      names of peninsulas : the Iberian Peninsula

6.      distinct geographic areas : the East

7.      names of libraries and museums : the Louvre

 

 

Do not use the with :

 

1.      the names of continents

2.      the names of countries (except the Congo and the Sudan)

3.      the names of cities (except the Hague)

4.      the name of a single island

5.      the names of lakes and bays

6.      the name of a single mountain

7.      the names of universities and colleges (unless part of actual name)

8.      the names of avenues, streets and boulevards

9.      the names of parks

 

 

THE DEFINITE ARTICLE WITH OTHER PROPER NOUNS

 

Use the with :

 

1.      historical events or periods : the Middle Ages

2.      official documents : the Bill of Human Rights

3.      names of organizations : the United Nations

4.      branches of government or political parties : the Senate

5.      law enforcement groups : the Armed Forces

 

 

Do not use the with :

 

1.      holidays : Christmas

2.      titles of officials when the name accompanies the title : Prime Minister Chretien

3.      names with Roman numerals : World War II

 

 

 

C – No Article

 

 

Noncount nouns

 

1.      Unspecified noncount nouns.

                        Success is largely determined by hard work and luck.

 

2.      Gerunds (verb + ing)

                        Making money is important to many Americans.

 

3.      References to social institutions.

                        Marriage is increasing in Quebec and so is divorce.

 

4.      References to academic subjects of study.

                        My sister is studying history.

 

 

Count nouns

 

1.      Plural count nouns that refer to the class or thing in general.

                        Cars are more than just a means of transportation to many people.

 

2.      Locations that imply a specific activity.

                        She drove to work.

 

                        Special cases :

                        I went to school.

                        I went to church.

                        I went to work.

                        I went downtown.

                        I went home.

            but :     I went to the post office or to the bank.

 

3.      Titles or appointments.

                        She was appointed chairperson.

                        Bill Clinton was elected president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below are four ways to make general statements about people or things in English.

 

1.      the + singular noun

 

Used for generalizations about plants, animals, ethnic groups, technical inventions, and with certain adjectives used as nouns.

 

                        The computer changed office work during the 1980s.

                        The sloth is a three-clawed animal found in Costa Rica.

                        The crocus is the first flower to bloom in spring.

                        The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

 

2.      the + plural noun

 

Used for generalizations about classes of people (ethnic groups, professional groups) and plural proper nouns.

 

                        In business. The Americans are often direct in their refusals.

                        The Japanese often find their bluntness disconcerting.

                        The medical doctors have a strong lobby.

                        The American Indians lost their land.

 

3.      a/an + singular noun

 

Can be used to make a generalization about any count noun.

 

                        A car is a necessity in the suburbs.

                        A house can be expensive in Toronto.

 

4.      plural noun

 

Used for any count noun. This is less formal than other constructions.

 

                        Cars are necessary in the suburbs.

                        Houses are expensive in Toronto.

 

Noncount Nouns

 

Never use an article with noncount nouns when speaking about the nouns in general.

 

                        Love is a many splendored thing.

                        Gold is a precious metal.

                        Death and taxes are inevitable.