The Use of Articles with Common Nouns

Non-specified Info Singular Countable nouns Plural Uncountable nouns a / an Specified Info the the the

Specified Nouns:
a. By context: the noun has been previously specified: Ex: Mr. Jones bought a car yesterday. The car is a 2003 Toyota. b. By a prepositional phrase: Ex: The milk in the bottle has soured. The car in the lot is not the car that I picked out. BUT: I want to buy a suitcase from Italy. I love cheese from Wisconsin. c. By an adjective clause: Ex: The wine that I bought is on the table. The car in the lot is not the car that I picked out. BUT: A car, which can be quite expensive, is indispensable to foreign students in the United States. Hail, which is a combination of ice and snow, can be quite dangerous.

Additional uses of the definite article THE:

1. With generic meaning: before a noun that refers to the class or when speaking generally about nouns in the categories of plants, animals, technical inventions and classes of people. Ex: The computer has changed everyday life in the world. The sloth is a three-clawed animal found in Costa Rica. The crocus is the first flower to bloom in spring. The medical doctors have a strong lobby. 2. With nominalized adjectives:

Ex: The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The British fought the French in the French and Indian war. 3. Before nouns with unique references: Ex: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The oxygen balance in the atmosphere is maintained by photosynthesis. 4. In a superlative adjective + noun construction or with ordinal numerals: Ex: I just saw the most popular movie of the year. The first studies were conducted in 1993. The last security conference was termed a success. 5. In partitive of-phrases with plurals: Ex: None of the projects was satisfactory. Some of the subjects had adverse reactions. All of the questionnaires were returned.

Uses with article

1. Before unspecified uncountable nouns: Ex: Success is often determined by wealth. 2. Before plural countable nouns that refer to the class or thing in general: Ex: Automobiles have changed our way of life . 3. Before gerunds (verb-ing forms): Ex: Making money is important to many parents in their 30s. 4. Before nouns which identify social institutions such as marriage, divorce and retirement: Ex: Marriage money is important to many parents in their 30s. 5. Before references to academic subjects of study: Ex: My sister is studying history. 6. Before locations that imply a specific activity (to school, to church, to work): Ex: She drove to work. Exceptions: to the post office, to the bank 7. Before titles or appointments: Ex: Obama was elected president. She was elected chairperson.