We use articles (a/an, the, zero article) with nouns to indicate definiteness or specificity. The indefinite article (a/an) is used with non-specific singular countable nouns. The definite article (the) is used with specific or unique singular and plural countable/uncountable nouns or ones already mentioned. The zero article is used with uncountable or plural nouns in a general sense, as well as with certain places, countries, subjects, meals, times, sports and geographic features.

1. ARTICLES

2. INDEFINITE
ARTICLE
a/an
2
We use the indefinite article
a/an with a singular countable
noun.

3. 3
To talk about
a non specific
person or
thing.
To say a
person or
thing is one
of many
I need to buy a new car.
I think blue is a very beautiful color.
When we first
mention
something.
One evening, a man and a woman rang
my doorbell.

4. In the
structure
as + a(n) +
noun
To say what
somebody
does
He is a student
As a child, she loved basketball.
To talk about
frequency
Once a month

5. DEFINITE ARTICLE
the
5
We use the definite article the
with a singular or plural
countable or uncountable noun.

6. 6
To talk about
specific
person/people
or thing.
When we refer
back to a
person/people
or thing already
mentioned
The prime minister gave a speech in Paris.
One evening, a men and a woman rang my doorbell.
The men introduced himself.
Before a
superlative
adjective
That’s the best movie I've seen this year

7. ALSO WE USE TO:
7
When there is only one of something.
- The moon
With an organization
- The navy
With inventions
- The saxophone
To talk about parts of a
country/area.
- The north of Germany
With the names of oceans and rivers
- The Nile
With an organization
- The navy
With some time periods
- The 1930s
With places in a
town/city
- The stores

8. ZERO ARTICLE
(no article)
8
We use the zero article with a
plural countable or uncountable
noun.

9. 9
With
uncountable or
plural nouns to
talk about
people or things
in a general way
I think nurses should be paid more
before certain
generally familiar
places (school,
work, hospital,
college)
My brother is studying medicine at college

10. ALSO WE USE TO:
10
The name of the most countries.
- Perú
With subjects or study
- math
With meals
-breakfast
In many phrases with
home
- Go home
With days and months
- Tuesday/March
In phrases like: this month,
last week, next year,
With the names of sports
and lakes
- soccer/ Albert lake