2. A or THE
Use A for a countable noun that is being
mentioned for the very first time.
All further references to it can be preceded by
the definite article THE. Also use THE when you
assume the reader knows exactly what you are
referring to.
• I have a dog.
• I spent an hour reading.
• There is a theater in our town. The theater
needs renovation, because it is very old.
• The bank was robbed yesterday. Luckily, the
thief was caught. (=we know the bank was
robbed, so obviously there was a thief)
A or AN
Use a when the next word starts with a
consonant, or before words starting
in u and eu when they sound like you.
- a book
- a hill
- a university
- a european
Use an when the next word starts with
a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or with a mute h.
- an elephant
- an hour
3. Use A
Use A with names of jobs:
• I am an architect.
• Jane is a teacher.
Use A in the meaning “one” when referring to a single object or person, or a single unit of
measure (can be replaced with ‘’one’’:
• I need a kilogram of salt (=I need one kilogram of salt.)
• I’d like a loaf of bread and two cookies. (=I’d like one loaf of bread and two cookies).
Use A with singular nouns after the words “what” and ”‘’such’’:
• What a beautiful day!
• You’re such a good friend.
• What a shame!
4. Use THE
Use THE when you’re talking about something
specific:
• This is the girl that stole my wallet!
• The church in our town is very small.
Use THE for something that is unique:
• The sky is blue today.
• I’ve travelled the world.
• The Pope lives in Vatican.
Use THE for something that is unique in that
place or situation:
• The Beast left Belle’s father in the
dungeon.
• On our first day at the hotel we went to chill
at the swimming pool.
• Dad, can I borrow the car? (=the only car
in your family)
Use THE with superlative adjectives:
• You are the most beautiful woman in
the world.
• This is the tallest building in New York.
Use THE for musical instruments:
• I play the guitar.
Use THE for countable nouns,
representing a whole class or category of
something, forms of entertainment:
• The client is always right.
• The blue whale is the largest animal in
the world.
• The invention of the computer
changed the world.
• I go to the cinema every week.
5. No article
Do not use articles uncountable nouns:
• I like drinking tea with milk.
• Ice is often put in cola.
• I don’t have time for shopping.
Do not use articles with years:
• I was born in 1998.
Do not use articles with professions / study
fields / sports:
• I studied law at university.
• I chose to pursue a career in finance.
• Josh loves football, he’s also good at
volleyball.
Do not use articles with the possessive case:
• This is Tom’s girlfriend.
• I left the keys in my car.
Do not use articles for indefinite general
category words, public buildings,
institutions, means of transport :
• I go to school by bus.
• We go to church on Sundays.
• I like flowers.
COMPARE to definite:
• The bus to the airport leaves in 5
minutes.
• The school that I go to is very far from
• There is a church in our
neighborhood.
• The flowers in your garden are
beautiful.
6. Geography
Do not use articles for the names of
countries:
• I am from Germany.
• Have you ever been to Austria?
Do not use articles for languages:
• Alice is fluent in Italian.
• Do you speak French?
Use THE for countries with plural names:
• I have never been to the Netherlands.
• She’s from the Philippines.
Use THE for countries the names of
which include the words republic, states,
kingdom, emirates:
• I live in the US (United States).
Use THE with names of geographical
areas, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of
islands, canals, and oceans:
• The ship crossed the Atlantic.
• We live close to the Mississippi.
• We are traveling to the Arctic.
Do not use articles with the names of
individual mountains, lakes and islands:
• Have you visited Long Island?
• Lake Baikal is the biggest lake in
Russia.
Do not use articles with the names of
cities and towns:
• Rome is the capital of Italy.
7. Names
Do not use articles for people’s names
and company names:
• John Smith is my cousin.
• Have you met Ted?
• I work in Coca Cola.
Do not use articles for titles when they are
combined with names:
• President Trump visited France last
week.
• Princess Charlotte is the daughter of
Prince William.
Do not use articles for most names of
towns, streets, stations, parks and airports
• We landed at Heathrow.
• Do you know where Fleet Street is?
• There is a lake in Central Park.
Use THE with the names of families (but not for
individuals):
• The Smiths are coming over tonight.
Use THE with names of hotels, restaurants and
newspapers:
• We stayed at the Hilton.
• I just read this in the New York Times.
Use THE with names of famous buildings,
museums, works of art:
• We saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
• Have you seen the Empire State Building?
Use THE with proper names consisting of
noun(s) and/or adjective(s) + noun:
• The President lives in the White House.
