ARTICLE

ARTICLE A/ AN, THE, NO ARTICLE

In English there are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known. There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.

•         Definite articles: the (before a singular or plural noun)

We use the with:

1. A singular or plural noun when it is clear/obvious which person or thing we are talking about.

There is a lamp in my bedroom. (we mention the lamp for the first time)The lamp is next to the desk.

2. Anything which we identify immediately.

We watched the new Brad Pitt movie last night.

3. Musical instruments (the violin, the guitar, the drums, the flute, the piccolo).

She plays the piano.

4. Something that is unique or there is only one.

the sun, the moon, the internet.

5. Names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges and deserts (always in capitals).

The Mississippi River, The Black Sea, The Andes, The Sahara Desert

6. Directions (cardinal points).

the west, the south-east, the north-west.

•         Indefinite articles: a/an

1. A is used when the next word begins with a consonant sound (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k etc).

a book, a table, a clock, a university (because the beginning of university sounds like YOU-niversity)

2. An is used when the next word begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).

an apple, an elephant, an umbrella, an hour (because the H is silent)

•         Use the article a/an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.

            I think an animal is in the garage

            That man is a scoundrel.

            We are looking for an apartment.

•         Use the article a/an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one).

            I own a cat and two dogs.

•         Use the article the when a particular noun has already been mentioned previously.

            I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious.

•         Use the article the when an adjective, phrase, or clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts its identity.

            The boy sitting next to me raised his hand.

            Thank you for the advice you gave me.

•         Use the article the when the noun refers to something or someone that is unique.

            the theory of relativity

            the 2003 federal budget

We use no article with:

1. When we refer to general ideas, plurals or uncountable nouns we do not use THE.

•      Religion is an important issue. (NOT The religion is an important issue)

•         Mexican food is spicy. (NOT The Mexican food is spicy).

2. Names of people, books and plays (unless it is part of the title).

•         I have read Romeo and Julie

3. Towns, cities, states and countries.

•         Cape Town, Montana, Vietnam, Jakarta

(Exceptions – The USA, The UK, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, The Philippines).

4. Lakes, single islands, continents or mountains.

•         Lake Victoria, Jamaica, Asia, Mt Fuji

5. Planets

•         Mars, Jupiter, Saturn

6. Sports or games

•         soccer, tennis, skiing, monopoly

7. Meals

•         breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper

8. Names of most festivals and holidays:

It snowed at Christmas but it was a nice day on New Year’s day.

9. Abtract nouns

•         sugar, nature, water, happiness, money