Three Basic Rules for Articles

Rule #1: Is it specific?

If you talk about something not specific, use the Indefinite Article:  a / an             Can I have a cookie?   (any cookie)   If you talk about something specific, use the Definite Article:  the                       Can I have the last cookie?    (a specific cookie)  

Rule #1: Is it specific?

When you first introduce a noun, use the Indefinite Article: a/an.                        (your listeners don't know about it, so it's not specific yet)                 I bought a grammar book yesterday. Then, use the Definite Article: the.                                                                                  (now your listeners know the specific noun you are talking about)                The book is really helpful.

Rule #1: Is it specific?

I bought a bicycle for my son for his birthday. The bicycle was so heavy, that I asked a shop assistant to help me. The shop assistant carried the bicycle out to my car.  The bicycle was so big that it didn't fit in my car! The shop assistant said that a delivery truck would bring the bicycle to my house yesterday.  I waited for the delivery truck all day!  Finally the delivery truck arrived one hour before my son's birthday party. My son was very happy with his new bicycle!

Rule #2: Is it unique? Yes, it's the only one.

When a noun is unique, use the Definite Article: the When something is unique, there is only one of that thing.                        the sun          the moon         the sky       the Earth                               the President         the Prime Minister      the government                         the army          the navy                    (each country has only one)                         the airport      the train station     (each town has only one)                         the door           the floor                   (each room has only one)                         the kitchen      the living room      (each house has only one)        

Rule #2: Is it unique? No, there are many.

When a singular noun is not unique, use the Indefinite Article: a / an                 She is a member of Parliament.                                                                                              (there are many members of Parliament)                 He is an accountant.                                                                                                                    (there are many accountants in the world!)                 We work at a school.                   (there are many schools in the world!)

Rule #2: Is it unique? Yes, it's the best!

Use the Definite Article (the) with Superlatives. Superlatives show the only one - so that one is unique!               He is the best chef in the city.                She is the fastest runner in her school.                We stayed in the most expensive hotel.   Use the Definite Article (the) with ordered things.                the first time         the second example         the last day

Rule #2: Is it unique? EXCEPTIONS

People and places are unique, but we don't use "the" with most names. Names of people:         Jack, Margus Hunt, Doctor Smith, President Obama, Princess Diana Names of Continents, Countries, Cities, Towns, Streets:        Africa, Europe, Brazil, India, New York City, Cape Town, Main Street Names of single lakes, mountains, and islands:        Lake Victoria, Mount Everest, Christmas Island Names of buildings with places or possessives:       Cambridge University, Tallinn Airport, St. John's Church

Rule #2: Is it unique? Names of Places

We often use the Definite Article (the) when things are named. Names of oceans, seas, rivers and deserts:           the Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic Sea , the Nile River, the Sahara Desert            Names that are plural and names of groups:          the Alps, the United States, the United Nations, the European Union Names of buildings:          the Eiffel Tower, the National Gallery, the Hilton Hotel, the Taj Mahal    

Rule #3: Is it general?

When you talk about a plural noun in general, don't use an article.          I love strawberries! (all strawberries, not a specific strawberry)          I always use blue pens.  (blue pens in general, not a specific one)   When you talk about an uncountable noun in general, don't use an article.          Love is all you need!  (love in general, not specific love)          Knowledge is power.  (knowledge in general, not specific knowledge)

Rule #3: Is it general?

General Plural: no article General Uncountable: no article     I love cake!     Bananas are yellow.     Air is all around us.     Humans need water to survive.     

Specific Plural: the  Specific Uncountable: the    The cake you made is delicious!    The bananas are on the table.    The air in this room is stuffy!    Don't drink the water!