Using Articles
Grammar Basics
Articles
Below are some of the most basic, general rules for using articles in English.
1. Single common countable nouns always require an article or another form of determiner (like a number, possessive adjective, etc.). The articles can be:
A or AN (indefinite articles)
✘ I am teacher.
🗸 I am a teacher.
THE (definite article)
✘ John sees dog.
🗸 John sees the dog.
2. A and an introduce a single countable noun that is unknown. Once it’s been introduced, we then refer to it using the or other determiners:
🗸 She has a nice house. The house she lives in has blue shutters.
3. You NEVER use an or a with a plural or uncountable noun:
✘ We saw a buildings.
🗸 We saw buildings.
✘ There were a people.
🗸 There were people.
4. the can be used with plural nouns, uncountable nouns, and singular nouns. Specific nouns (both singular and plural) that are already introduced into the conversation require the or another determiner:
🗸 You asked for some books. I left the books on the table for you.
View this page for more information about using the.
5. When talking in general we use plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns without articles:
✘ I like the books, the music, and the cars.
🗸 I like books, music, and cars.
6. Proper nouns do not require an article except for in special cases:
✘ I talked to him on the Facebook.
🗸 I talked to him on Facebook.
✘ John can speak the French.
🗸 John can speak French.
Articles before Noun Phrases
You should include a/an before adjective singular noun combinations:
a massive improvement
a steady increase
an overall majority
a very small percentage
a small/large/equal proportion of
a really strong argument
a wide range of
an equal number of
a large/small number of
Exceptions:
quite a few people
to a certain extent/degree