Define the Article Correctly

Definite Article: "the"
The definite article the is the most frequent word in English.
We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the hearer/reader knows exactly what we are referring to.
Because there is only one:
The Pope is visiting Russia.
The moon is very bright tonight.
The Shah of Iran was deposed in 1979.
This is why we use the definite article with a superlative adjective:
He is the tallest boy in the class.
It is the oldest building in the town.
Because there is only one in that place or in those surroundings:
We live in a small village next to the church. | = | (the church in our village) |
Dad, can I borrow the car? | = | (the car that belongs to our family) |
When we stayed at my grandmother's house we went to the beach every day. | = | (the beach near my grandmother's house) |
Look at the boy in the blue shirt over there. | = | (the boy I am pointing at) |
Because we have already mentioned it:
A woman who fell 10 metres from High Peak was lifted to safety by a helicopter. The woman fell while climbing.
The rescue is the latest in a series of incidents on High Peak. In January last year two men walking on the peakwere killed in a fall.
We also use the definite article:
To say something about all the things referred to by a noun:
The wolf is not really a dangerous animal (= Wolves are not really dangerous animals)
The kangaroo is found only in Australia (= Kangaroos are found only in Australia)
The heart pumps blood around the body. (= Hearts pump blood around bodies)
We use the definite article in this way to talk about musical instruments:
Joe plays the piano really well.(= Joe can play any piano)
She is learning the guitar.(= She is learning to play any guitar)
To refer to a system or service:
How long does it take on the train?
I heard it on the radio.
You should tell the police.
With adjectives like rich, poor, elderly, unemployed to talk about groups of people:
Life can be very hard for the poor.
I think the rich should pay more taxes.
She works for a group to help the disabled.
The definite article with names:
We do not normally use the definite article with names:
William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.
Paris is the capital of France.
Iran is in Asia.
But we do use the definite article with:
Countries whose names include words like kingdom, states or republic:
the United Kingdom; the Kingdom of Nepal; the United States; the People's Republic of China.
Countries which have plural nouns as their names:
the Netherlands; the Philippines
Geographical features, such as mountain ranges, groups of islands, rivers, seas, oceans and canals:
the Himalayas; the Canaries; the Atlantic; the Atlantic Ocean; the Amazon; the Panama Canal.
Newspapers:
The Times; The Washington Post
Well known buildings or works of art:
the Empire State Building; the Taj Mahal; the Mona Lisa; the Sunflowers
Organisations:
the United Nations; the Seamen's Union
Hotels, pubs and restaurants*:
the Ritz; the Ritz Hotel; the King's Head; the Déjà Vu
*Note: We do not use the definite article if the name of the hotel or restaurant is the name of the owner, e.g.,Brown's; Brown's Hotel; Morel's; Morel's Restaurant, etc.
Families:
the Obamas; the Jacksons
Indefinite Article: "a" and "an"
We use the indefinite article, a/an, with count nouns when the hearer/reader does not know exactly which one we are referring to:
Police are searching for a 14 year-old girl.
We also use it to show the person or thing is one of a group:
She is a pupil at London Road School.
Police have been searching for a 14 year-old girl who has been missing since Friday.
Jenny Brown, a pupil at London Road School, is described as 1.6 metres tall with short blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket, a blue and white blouse and dark blue jeans and blue shoes. Anyone who has information should contact the local police on 0800349781. |
We do not use an indefinite article with plural nouns and uncount nouns:
She was wearing blue shoes. (= plural noun)
She has short blonde hair. (= uncount noun)
Police have been searching for a 14 year-old girl who has been missing since Friday.
Jenny Brown, a pupil at London Road School, is described as 1.6 metres tall with short blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket, a blue and white blouse and dark blue jeans and blue shoes. Anyone who has information should contact the local police on 0800349781. |
We use a/an to say what someone is or what job they do:
My brother is a doctor.
George is a student.
We use a/an with a singular noun to say something about all things of that kind:
A man needs friends. (= All men need friends)
A dog likes to eat meat. (= All dogs like to eat meat)
The 'Zero' Article
To talk about plural and uncountable nouns or when talking about things in general:
I'm terrified of heights
I'm into drum and bass.
I hate cheese.
Before countries, towns, streets, languages and single mountains:
I'm from China.
I've climbed Mount Everest.
She speaks French.
Before some places and with some forms of transport:
I live at home with my parents.
I came here by car.
He goes to work by bus.
In exclamations with what + uncountable noun:
What beautiful weather!
What loud music!
What disgusting food!