THE USE OF ARTICLES IN ENGLISH: SOME CONDITIONS

THE USE OF ARTICLES IN ENGLISH: SOME CONDITIONS

Most difficulties with articles (whether to use a/an, the, or no article) can be resolved by understanding the differences between a countable and an uncountable noun.

•      A countable noun stands for a person or thing that can be counted as a single unit or item. Examples: book, apple, teacher, suitcase, tree.

•      An uncountable or non-countable noun stands for something that cannot be counted as a single unit or item. Types of non-countable nouns include:

1.   Mass nouns, referring to a quantity of some substance. Examples: water,

air, oil, oxygen, tea, ink, dirt.

2.    Abstract nouns, such as liberty, honesty, life, truth, justice, beauty.

3.    Names of general areas of subject matter, such as history, art, science,

music, economics, English.

4.   Names of sports or recreational activities, such as baseball, tennis, golf,

singing, dancing.

With this distinction in mind, the charts below will enable you to determine in most cases which article (or no article) to use.

Singular Countable Nouns

IF a single item whose specific identity is     I want a book on history. not known to the reader; use A/AN

I need a person to help me. Did you buy a hat?

IF a specific or particular item; use THE      I want the book on your desk.

The boy from next door helped me. Did you buy the green hat or the red?

Plural Countable Nouns

IF general; use NO ARTICLE

Books are needed by all students. She needs to buy shirts when she goes shopping.

Teachers like students to use articles correctly.

IF specific or particular; use THE

I got the books I needed. The apples I ate yesterday made me sick. The ex-Presidents of the United States appeared at Target last Saturday.