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Definite and Indefinite Articles: Definite Article Usage (The)

The document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles (the, a, an) in English. It provides rules for using definite articles to refer to specific nouns previously mentioned or known. Indefinite articles are used for nonspecific or new nouns. There are also guidelines for using articles with proper nouns, locations, times, and plural nouns. The document ends with two practice exercises applying the article rules.

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92 views5 pages

Definite and Indefinite Articles: Definite Article Usage (The)

The document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles (the, a, an) in English. It provides rules for using definite articles to refer to specific nouns previously mentioned or known. Indefinite articles are used for nonspecific or new nouns. There are also guidelines for using articles with proper nouns, locations, times, and plural nouns. The document ends with two practice exercises applying the article rules.

Uploaded by

snicolas_tabangin
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Articles: the, a, an

Definite and Indefinite Articles


Articles with Proper Nouns
Other Troublesome Articles
Practice 1: Using Articles
Practice 2: Using Articles

Definite and Indefinite Articles


1. General, uncountable nouns are not preceded by an article.
2. General, countable, plural nouns are not preceded by an article.
3. General, countable, singular nouns are preceded by a or an.
4. Specific nouns are preceded by the.

For a quick review of articles, select any of the following: Definite Article Usage (the) |
Indefinite Article Usage (a, an)

Definite article usage (the)

The speaker has stated (or implied) which object, group of objects, or concepts are being
referred to:

Count Nouns: The memo is well written.


The companies are famous.
Noncount Nouns: The research is completed.

These situations usually indicate that the noun is being used in a definite manner:

• Previous mention of the object or concept.


• A phrase following the noun that identifies which object it is.
(The computer sitting on his desk is an older model.)
• Shared knowledge
(Can you help me find the bathroom? - I know there is only one.)
• Only one such object exists or is commonly referred to.
(The sun is big. The universe is immense.)
Indefinite article usage (a, an)

The speaker assumes the listener does not know which object or concept is being referred to,
or the speaker has not introduced the object or concept yet ("a" can never be used in the
plural):

Count Nouns

Lee has a good computer to work on.


singular uses "a" or "an":
Lee works on an old computer.

plural uses some, few, a few, numbers, many: Lee has some good computers to work on.

Noncount Nouns

singular uses no article: Research was done in class.


plural uses some, a lot of, much Some research was done in class.

Generic Usage

When the speaker refers to a category, abstract idea or concept, the category is considered
neither definite or indefinite, so no article is used.

The whole category


singular: Poverty is all around us.
plural: Laws are meant to be broken.
Articles with Proper Nouns

1. Indefinite articles a or an are not used with proper nouns.


2. The definite article the is used only in certain places.

Proper Names

Ahmed Ali
David Wang
The Wangs

Use the with the names of seas, rivers, oceans, deserts, or other landmarks:

the Atlantic Ocean


the International Dateline
the Black Sea
the Mohabi Desert

Use the with the names of plural mountains, lakes, and islands but not with singular names:

Mount St. Helens


Lake Michigan
the Hawaiian Islands
the Rocky Mountains

Do not use the with the names of continents, countries, states, provinces, or cities. Use the,
however, with the name of a country if it is plural, if it contains the word united or union, or if
you use an official name that includes an of phrase:

the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China


the country of Spain, the state of Minnesota, the city of Tokyo
China, Europe, Asia, Mexico
the Philipines, the United States, the United Kingdom

Do not use the with the names of streets, parks, or squares.

Rodeo Drive
Central Park
Berkeley Square

Do not use the with the name of a college or university unless it contains an of phrase:

National College
the University of Minnesota
Do not use the with the name of a company unless the name includes the word association,
company, corporation or foundation:

Honeywell
the 3M Company
Honda
the Toyota Company
the McKnight Foundation
the Eaton Corporation
Productivity Inc.

Use the with the names of most buildings, structures, or bridges, but not if the name includes
the word hall:

the Hilton Hotel


the Statue of Liberty
Lind Hall
the Golden Gate Bridge

Other Troublesome Articles


Expressions of time:

in the morning
in the afternoon
in the evening (but at night)
all the time
most of the time (but most times)

Locations:

at home (but at the house)


in college
in school (but at the university)
in the store
at the company
Practice

1. Since early times, humans have used energy from various sources to assist them in
performing __________ difficult tasks of their lives.
2. Animals such as donkeys or camels have been used to help humans with the task of
carrying __________ heavy objects.
3. I haven't lived in __________ Minnesota since I was a child.
4. When I was born, my family had __________ house on Minnehaha Avenue.
5. From __________ time of the Romans, aqueducts have been built to capture the
natural power of water.
6. The University of Minnesota is located in the center of __________ busy metropolitan
area.
7. The state has vast business resources: for example, companies such as __________
3M and St. Paul Company are located there.
8. The companies offer __________ excellent variety of programs to the university
community.
9. Grand Casino is located near __________ Mille Lacs Lake.
10. The lake is owned by __________ tribe of Native Americans.

Answers

1. the. The plural definite article is needed; "tasks" is immediately defined as "of their
lives."
2. 0. The noun "objects" is nonspecific and plural.
3. 0. Names of states do not have articles in front of them.
4. a. "House" is countable and indefinite here.
5. the. "Time" is countable and it is defined by an "of" phrase.
6. a. "Area" is singular and countable. Also, we do not know which particular area is
being referred to.
7. 0. Company names are definite. However, they are not preceded by articles unless
they are followed by a word such as "company," "corporation," or "foundation."
8. An. Variety" is a singular, countable, nonspecific noun.
9. 0. This is a proper noun; it is the official name of a location.
10. a. "Tribe" is a countable, nonspecific noun.

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