29b Be familiar with articles and other noun markers.

Articles (a, an, the) are part of a category of words known as noun markers or determiners. Noun markers identify the nouns that follow them. Besides articles, noun markers include possessive nouns (Elena’s, child’s); possessive pronouns/adjectives (my, your, their); demonstrative pronouns/adjectives (this, that); quantifiers (all, few, neither, some); and numbers (one, twenty-six).

An example.

When to use the

Use the with most nouns that the reader can identify specifically. Usually the identity will be clear to the reader for one of the following reasons.

  1. The noun has been previously mentioned.

    An example reads, A truck cut in front of our van. When (insert) the (end insert) truck skidded a few seconds later, we almost crashed into it.

  2. A phrase or clause following the noun restricts its identity.

    An example reads, Bryce warned me that (insert) the (end insert) G P S in his car was not working.

  3. A superlative adjective such as best or most intelligent makes the noun’s identity specific. (See also 27d.)

    An example reads, Brita had (insert) the (end insert) best players on her team.

  4. The noun describes a unique person, place, or thing.

    An example reads, During an eclipse, one should not look directly at (insert) the (end insert) sun.

  5. The context or situation makes the noun’s identity clear.

    An example reads, Please don’t slam (insert) the (end insert) door when you leave.

  6. The noun is singular and refers to a scientific class or category of items (most often animals, musical instruments, or inventions).

    An example reads, (strikethrough) Tin (end strikethrough) (insert) The tin (end insert) whistle is common in traditional Irish music.

When to use a or an

Use a or an with singular count nouns that refer to one unspecific item (not a whole category). Count nouns refer to persons, places, things, or ideas that can be counted: one girl, two girls; one city, three cities; one goose, four geese.

Two examples read, My professor asked me to bring (insert) a (end insert) dictionary to class. We want to rent (insert) an (end insert) apartment close to the lake.

When not to use articles

Do not use a or an with noncount nouns. Noncount nouns refer to things or abstract ideas that cannot be counted or made plural: salt, silver, air, furniture, patience, knowledge. (See Commonly used noncount nouns.)

To express an approximate amount of a noncount noun, use a quantifier such as some or more: some water, enough coffee, less violence. Do not use articles with nouns that refer to all of something or something in general.

NOTE: A few noncount nouns (such as love) can also be used as count nouns: He had two loves: music and archery.

Two examples read, (strikethrough) The kindness (end strikethrough) (insert) Kindness (end insert) is a virtue. In some places, (strikethrough) the (end strikethrough) rice is preferred to all other grains.

When to use articles with proper nouns

Do not use articles with most singular proper nouns: Prime Minister Trudeau, Jamaica, Lake Huron, Ivy Street, Mount Everest. Use the with most plural proper nouns: the McGregors, the Bahamas, the Finger Lakes, the United States. Also use the with large regions, oceans, rivers, and mountain ranges: the Sahara, the Indian Ocean, the Amazon River, the Rocky Mountains. There are, however, many exceptions, especially with geographic names. Note exceptions when you encounter them or consult a native speaker or an ESL dictionary.