Rules for using a, an, the or no article

Rules for using a, an, the or no article 

Definite and indefinite articles:

Accurate writing in assignments is important. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling need to be checked carefully. One area of grammar that many EAL students find particularly difficult is the use of articles (a, an, the, or no article). However, it is useful to remember that if even if the wrong article is used, it usually will not change the meaning of that piece of writing.

the = definite article

a/an = indefinite article

Use of “the”

1-      We use the before singular nouns when we are talking about something familiar.

Ex: who was the letter from? It was from my brother.

2-      “The” is also used in a similar way before plural nouns. Ex: who were the letters from?

3-      “The” is also used when it is clear to the speaker and listener what you are talking about. Ex: I put your book in the library.

4-      “the” is also used when there is only one: ex: The sun’s hot today, isn’t it?

5-      “the” is also used regularly before certain geographical features, including the names of seas, oceans, rivers,

Ex: The Alps, the Middle East, the Sahara…

6-      “the” is very common with superlatives , because, in the context, there is only one.

Ex: I gave away the oldest book and kept the newest.

Note: we do not use “the” with:

-name of countries: The Japan

-name of town, cities, states: The Seoul, The Riyadh

-name of street:  The Washington.

-names of continents : The Europe.

Use of A/AN:

We use A/An before singular nouns when we are presenting new information.

He bought a new car.

There is an invitation for you.

An is used before nouns beginning with vowels: An elephant…

A is used before nouns beginning with constants: A bike, a car...

A/an is used to mean anything or anyone when it doesn’t matter which one:

Could you pass me a spoon, please?

A/an is not used before plural nouns: we use some instead:

There is an invitation for you. --à The is some invitations for you.

Uses of No article:

-No article is used before the name of countries, cities, continent, lakes, mountains, villages…Ex: he lives in Korea.

-No article is used before the name of academic subject and name of sport:

Ex: biology, English, Football…

- No articles are also common before countable plural and often uncountable nouns when we are talking about thing general:

Have we got any juice? Juice is good for your health.