Rules For Articles

General Overview of Definite and Indefinite Article

The English structure employ articles depending upon the reference of addressee. The three articles in English – A , An, The – have specific role and function. Use of Definite Article (The) and Indefinite article (A, An) depends on what is being referred to by the addresser. If any group is being addressed then we generally use Definite Article (The) and if we talk about any particularly specific member of the group, then we use Indefinite Article (A, An).

INDEFINITE ARTICLES

Indefinite Articles (A / An) are the modifiers of any member of the class or group. Singular Nouns take indefinite articles when the noun is general. The initial sound of the word following an article determines the use of A and An. As a rule the structure could be as follows:

• a + noun beginning with a consonant sound

As in: a book, a tree

• an + noun beginning with a vowel sound

As in: an apple, an orange

If a noun is preceded by an Adjective then look out for the consonant or vowel SOUND and not LETTER for determining the use of article.

• A / An + Adjective + Noun

As in: A European Student, An Electronic device

We also use articles to bespeak of an alliance to any profession, religion or country.

• She is a nurse.

• Alex is an Indian.

DEFINITE ARTICLE

Use of definite article 'the' is done for specific or particular singular and plural nouns. The indicates that (1) the noun is definite (2) it id denoting a specific member of group. You can understand it better by the following table:

	Indefinite (a or an)	Definite (the)
Singular	a table (any table) an airplane (any airplane)	the table (that specific table) the airplane (that specific airplane )
Plural	some tables (any tables) some airplanes (any airplanes)	the tables (those specific tables) the airplanes (those specific airplanes)

Scope of 'The'

• Do not use 'the' with uncountable nouns when talked about in general.

As in: (No article) Tea is the most common beverage.

• Use 'the' with uncountable nouns by making it more specific using a modifier phrase or clause.

As in: The tea in the kettle has spilled.

• The nouns which denote something unique and one of its kind also take 'the'

As in: The theory of Darwin is known to all.

When to use 'THE'

Do use 'the' before:

1) Names of rivers, oceans and seas (the Thames, the Arctic)

2) Points on the globe (the Equator, the South Pole)

3) Geographical areas (the Middle East, the West)

4) Deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas (the Sahara, the Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula)

When not to use 'THE'

Do not use 'the' before

1) Names of countries, cities, towns, or states (Britain, Phoenix, Delhi)

2) Names of streets (Washington)

3) Names of countries (America, India) except the Netherlands and the US
Blvd., Main St.)

4) Names of lakes and bays (Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie) except with a group of lakes like the Great Lakes

5) Names of mountains (Mount Everest, Mount Fuji) except with ranges of mountains like the Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn

6) Names of continents (Asia, Europe)

7) Names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains like the Aleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary Islands