Indefinite and definite article

The Indefinite Article

“A“ is used before beginnings with a consonant
“AN‘‘ used before words beginning with a vowel sound
“A” or “AN” with a singular count noun means “one” or refers to a person or thing that is not specific
“A” or “AN” do not appear with plural count nouns or non-count nouns ,(ex.) A woman arrived. She waited an hour.I saw a strange dog today. I need a new belt.A house can be expensive.



The Definite Article 1

a)Phrases and Clauses
“THE“ is used before nouns that are followed by a phrase or clause that identify it.
“THE + noun + of“ is a fequent combination.(ex.) The majority of students in my class love English.
b)No article is used with plural nouns that are not specific or unidentified.
c) Proper nouns: “THE” has specific uses with proper nouns, especially with geographical locations.

Without THE
1.singular islands, lakes, mountains, (ex.) Oahu, Lake Superiour
2.official titles when the person´s name is given, (ex.) President Kennedy
3.names of countries, continents, states, cities, streets,(ex.) Slovakia, Africa, Mississippi, NYC, Wall Street. (the Czech Republic, the USA, the UK, the Ukraine.)

With THE

1.with plural islands, lakes, mountains,(ex.) the Hawaiian Islands, the High Tatras
2.with official titles when the name is not given(ex.) the president, the mayor
3.with the names of oceans, seas, rivers, canals, deserts, forests, bridges, museums, libraries, famous buildings, ships,planes, (ex.) the Pacific, the Sahara, the Mississippi, the Suez Canal, the White House, the Concorde
4.with names of regions, (ex.) the West, the Middle East
5.when the class of noun comes before the noun

The Definite Article 2

“THE” is used when the noun si specific to both the speaker + the listener.
“THE” indicates that the noun refers to someone or something in particular.


1.objects known by everyone,(ex.) the noon, the sun
2.objects in a specific place,(ex.) the blackboard, the floor, the telephone
3.objects being pointed to,(ex.) Look at the desk!
4.specified by definition,(ex.) The girl who speaks Chinese is kind.
5.repeated nouns- after a noun ha been mentioned once, “the” is used with later references to that noun.,(ex.) A man was walking around town.The man was wearing a coat.The coat was green.
6.superlative and ordinals,(ex.) the best cook, the fifth day

The definite article with noncount nouns

Articles are not normally used with noncount nouns.
However, noncount nouns, like count nouns, may be preceded by “the” when the noun is specifically identified.(ex.) Non specific: Gold is a metal.Love is wonderful.Traffic is a nightmare.
Specific:The gold in jewelry is mixed with other metals.The love we have is wonderful.The traffic today is a headache.


Noncount nouns with superlatives
“THE” is usually used with superlatives.(ex.) South Africa produces the most gold in the world.N.Y.C. has the worst traffic in the USA.
Abstract concepts: No article is usually used before an abstract concept.(ex.) Life is what you make it.Time is money.