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1. …the first time you are
Use a/an
mentioning it?
…describing a person (including
Use a/an
their job) or a thing?
No: use a/an
…clear which one you mean?
Yes: use the
…a superlative? Use the
Singular: is it… …the only one that exists? Use the
…a musical instrument? ~85% of the time: Use the
…a sport or game? Use no article
With some nouns
(home, school, work) use no
Countable: is it singular or article
plural?
…after at, to or from?
With all other nouns, follow the
normal singular/plural rules
…after there is/ there are? Use a/an
…countable or uncountable?
General: use no article
Plural: is it general or specific?
Specific: use the
General: use no article
Uncountable: is it general or
specific?
Specific: use the
…a person’s name? Use no article
Find a noun: is it… …breakfast, lunch, dinner? Use no article
…a day, a month, a season, a
Use no article
holiday (like Christmas)?
…a time?
…morning, afternoon,evening? Use the
After ‘in’: use the
…night?
After ‘at’: use no article
…a place? Look at the other chart!

2. Arctic, Antarctic Use the
Continents
Others Use no article
One word names Use no article
UK, USA Use the
With political
Countries descriptions (i.e. full Use the
names)
With plurals Use the
With
Use no article
north, south, east, west
Cities, towns, villages Use no article
Most roads Use no article
Roads
Roads with numbers and
Places and their names Use the
letters (e.g. M6, A12)
Single islands Use no article
Islands
Groups of islands Use the
Single mountains Use no article
Mountains
Mountain ranges Use the
Lakes (Usually) Use no article
Water
Other water Use the
Deserts Use the
Talk about what the
place is used for (e.g. He Use no article
went to bed. [to sleep])
Other places
Talk about the place
Use the
itself