Putting the in front of a word

by Liz Walter​

Many learners of English have problems with articles (the words a, an and the), especially when they don’t exist in their own language. This blog looks at some of the basic rules.

The number one rule is this: if a word is countable (e.g. one book, two books), you must always use an article (or my, his, etc.):

I read a book. √

I read book.

This is true even if there are adjectives before the noun:

He drives an old car. √

He drives old car.

Never use a or an with a word that is plural (e.g. books, trees) or uncountable (e.g. water, advice):

I asked her for advice. √

I asked her for an advice.

Note that we use a in front of words that start with a consonant sound (a horse, a carrot) and an in front of words with a vowel sound (an apple, an elephant).

The next most important thing to understand is the difference between a/an and the. Basically, we use a/an when we don’t need to say which thing we are talking about. We use the to talk about a specific thing:

I caught a train to London. (it doesn’t matter which train)

The train was late. (that particular train was late)

We often use a when we mention something for the first time, and then change to the when it is clear which thing we are talking about:

He was talking to a man. The man was laughing.

She gave him a present. The present was very expensive.

We also use the when it is obvious which thing we are talking about or when there is only one of something:

Could you shut the door, please?

I cleaned the bathroom this morning.

He travelled around the world.

The sun is hot today.

If you stick to the rules above, you will be correct in almost all cases. However, there are a few exceptions, and the following are the most useful ones to learn:

We don’t use a/an before the names of meals:

We had lunch at noon.

We don’t use a/an before words like school, prison, or college when we are talking about them in a general way:

I hope to go to college.

He spent three years in prison.

With the word ‘hospital’, there is a difference between British and American English:

My brother’s in hospital (UK) / in the hospital (US).

We use the before the names of shops or places where we go for services when they are the ones we usually go to:

I need to go to the supermarket.

She went to the doctor’s.

Proper names and articles

In this lesson, we will look at the use cases of articles with place names and people’s names.

The use of articles with names:

1. Names and surnames

Before first and last names no article.

• I met Helen yesterday. Yesterday I met Helen.
• Johnson is absent today. Johnson is absent today.

2. Appeal

If there is an address before the surname, i.e. words Mr, Mrs, Doctor, Professor, President, Captain, etc. no article.

• Do you know Doctor Johnson? — Do you know Dr. Johnson?
• Where is Mrs Brown? — Where is Mrs. Brown?

3. Some, some

Names can be preceded by indefinite article in the meaning of some, some.

• There is a Mrs Smith waiting for you. “A certain Mrs. Smith is waiting for you.
• There is a Helen calling. — It’s some Helen calling.

4. One of

Indefinite article in front of names is also used in the meaning of one of.

• He is a Lannister. “He’s one of the Lannisters.
• She is a Taylor. — She’s Taylor.

5. A family

If we are talking about a family (the Johnson family, the Taylor family, etc.), then the surname is preceded by definite article, and the surname itself is used in the plural.

• The Lannisters always pay their debts. “Lannisters always pay their debts.
• The Taylors are rich. — The Taylors are rich.

6. Geographical names without article

The following place names are used without articles:

Continents	South America	South America
Australia	Australia
Countries, regions and singular cities	France	France
Moscow	Moscow
Texas	Texas
Exception: the hague	Hague
Island names	Majorca	Mallorca
Bali	Points
Mountain Peak Names	Everest	Everest
Montblanc	Mont Blanc
Lake names	Lake Huron	lake Huron
Lake baikal	Lake Baikal
Cardinal directions used as descriptive terms	Northern england	Northern England
Southern spain	Southern spain

7. Geographical names with the article

The following place names are used with the definite article:

Continents	South America	South America
Australia	Australia
Countries and regions plural, countries with words in their names States, Republic, Kingdom etc.	the United States	U.S.
the Czech Republic	The Czech Republic
the Netherlands	Netherlands
Archipelago and island group names	the balearic islands	Balearic Islands
the british isles	British islands
Mountain range names	the Himalayas	Himalayas

Source: https://polyglotmobile.ru/poliglot-angliyskie-artikli/imena-sobstvennyie-i-artikli/

Use of the article THE

In this article we will touch upon the topic «Articles» — one of the most «unloved» topics of our students.

Many admit that, although they have gone through this topic many times, they continue to put articles at random and cannot systematize knowledge in any way. Particularly difficult is the article THE. Perhaps you have the same problem.

In preparing this article, we asked our students and subscribers to formulate questions related to the use of THE article, which they find it difficult to answer on their own. I would like to note that the questions were very similar, so we summarized them. And here are the questions that students are interested in:

• Which article to choose: A or THE?
• When is THE always used?
• When is THE used with place nouns?
• How to tell if the article is needed with plural and uncountable nouns?

If you are also not completely sure of the depth of your knowledge about the use of the definite article THE and your previous experience of studying «from the textbook» turned out to be useless, then this material will help you systematize the existing knowledge and, possibly, learn something new.

Which article should I choose A or THE?

Let’s remember a little from theory. A(an) — this is an indefinite article, it indicates an indefinite subject, and emphasizes that the subject is one. THE — the definite article, it is used when something is mentioned that is already known to the speaker.

Consider this example:

— My father bought me UN Chien.
— Great! What color is the dog?
— The dog is black. And my mother bought me to book.

The first sentence uses article A, since the dog is mentioned for the first time and the interlocutor does not know anything about it yet. Further used article THE, since it became clear to both speakers what kind of dog they were talking about. In the last sentence, the word book also used with an indefinite article, since it is mentioned for the first time, the interlocutor has not yet determined what kind of book it is.

Some more examples:

Yesterday I got the letter. the letter was from my friend. — Yesterday I received a letter. The letter was from a friend of mine.

I am reading a newspaper… I bought the newspaper from the newsagent. — I am reading a newspaper. I bought a newspaper from a periodicals seller.

Remember the rule: If in front of you is a countable noun in the singular, then use A if this subject is mentioned for the first time or it is indefinite, insignificant. THE is used if the subject has already been mentioned before and is known to the interlocutors.

Sometimes, despite the fact that something is mentioned for the first time, we can understand from the context what it is about: when additional information about the subject is given, an explanation, or when it is clear from the situation itself. Let’s look at examples with explanations:

I was at the party yesterday. — I was at a party yesterday. (I mean some kind of party that we don’t know anything about yet)

I was at the party organized by my friend. — I was at a party organized by my friend.

(We understand what kind of party we are talking about)

He saw a woman in the corridor. — He saw (some) woman in the hallway.

(No additional information is given about the woman)

He saw the woman who lived next door to him. — He saw a woman who lived next door.

(We understand what kind of woman she is)

He entered a door… — He entered the door.

(He entered one of the doors, we do not know which one).

He entered the door nearest to the stairs. He entered the door closest to the stairs.

(Specifies which door)

When is THE always used?

Remember some of the cases in which THE is always used:

• when something is mentioned that exists in one instance, something unique in its kind: the sun, the moon, the world, the earth, the capital, the ground, the environment, the universe
• with the names of groups of people expressed by adjectives: the elderly, the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the unemployed, the disabled and others
• with nationalities ending in -ese and -sh (-ch): the British, the Scottish, the Spanish, the Chinese, the Japanese. The article THE article may not be used with other nationalities: (the) Russians, (the) Americans
• in combinations related to space: the end, the beginning, the middle, the center

Source: https://enginform.com/article/article-the

Special uses of articles a / an and the

Rules for using a / an and the with transport, cardinal points, direction of travel, time.

— the use of articles with modes of transport

— the use of articles with the names of the cardinal points and words indicating the direction of movement

— the use of articles with words that name certain periods of time

We use the noun with the definite article «the» when we talk about the means of communication, while when we mention any apparatus or device, we use the indefinite article «a» at the first mention.

For example:	the telephone — telephone as a means of communication
a telephone — telephone

The exception here is «television», which is used without the article:

For example:

Did you see him on _ television?

How is the article used with modes of transport?

We use the noun with the definite article «the» when we mean the entire transport system, and not a separate unit, ie. not a specific bus, car, etc.

For example:	How long does it take the bus?
The tube is quicker.

However, if we use the construction «by + vehicle», the article is not used:

Why is it necessary to say «theBallet«But»afilm«?

If we are talking about the entertainment industry in general, then we use the definite article «the». Meaning a specific event, when we first mention it, we use the indefinite article «a»:

For example:	I enjoy watching the ballet.
I saw a good film last night.

Why in some cases we say “bed«, While in others»thebed«?

There are a number of nouns, similar to the noun «bed», which can either name the object itself, or describe some kind of activity. When they describe a type of activity, we do not use the article:

For example:	Kind of activity	specific object
I go to bed at 11 o’clock.	Don’t jump on the bed.
She went to school for many years.	The school was too small.
Many families eat dinner together.	The dinner was delicious.
I shower before breakfast.	The breakfast was delicious.
They are at church.	The church is very old.
She is in class.	The class is in Room 304.

Is the definite article used with the names of the cardinal points and words indicating the direction of travel?

With nouns for direction NOT used by the definite article «the»:

For example:

Go two blocks south and turn left.

The exception is nouns denoting political formations. They are used with the definite article:

For example:

She is on the left of the party.

Is the article used with words for specific periods of time?

We use the definite article «the» with the names of decades, centuries, historical periods, since they belong to the category of unique events:

For example:

The 1920s were a time of the gold rush.

Additional materials:

1. Indefinite article
2. Definite article
3. Null article

Beginner

Source: https://www.activeenglish.ru/grammar/osobye-sluchai-upotreblenija-neopredelennogo-i-opredelennogo-artiklej/

Use of the article in English

Articles are service words that are used before nouns and noun phrases. Like other adjectives, they help clarify the meaning of a noun in your sentence. In English, there are only two types of articles: 
the and a (an). A noun can also be used without an article.

If you’re a native speaker, you probably know which article to put in front of a noun without even thinking about it. If, however, English is your second language, then where to use which article can be quite problematic. Learning and consciously applying some basic principles can greatly help you improve your use of the articles.

Over time, as a result of many exercises, the correct use of the articles will become second nature to you.

Place of the article in a phrase

Articles appear in front of all words that define a noun:

a large urban university

the first female college principal

There are others definitive words (determinatives)that can be used in a phrase. The article is not used when the expression contains such identification wordslike: this, that, these, those, my, his, her, your, our, their, its, any, either, each, every, many, few, several, some, all.

Rules for the use of articles

You can successfully determine which article to use by answering the following three questions: Noun countable or uncountable? Plural or the only number?  A certain or vague?

1. A noun is countable if you can use it in the plural. For example, the word exam is a countable noun because at the end of the school year, you might have, say, four exams.

The word concentration is uncountable, because we cannot use this word in the plural, the expression “four concentrations” does not make sense even if you need a lot of concentration to pass all four exams.

Many nouns can be countable and uncountable depending on the sentence.

2. It is fairly easy to determine whether a particular noun can be used in the plural. Just ask yourself if I mean more than one.

3. A noun is definite if the reader understands from the context what you mean; otherwise, the noun is indefinite. Very often, if you use a noun for the first time, it will be vague; subsequent use of the same noun will be definite.

When I started university, I had a phobia about exams. I conquered the phobia by writing lots of them.

The first sentence speaks of the existence of a former phobia of the writer. In the second sentence, the reader knows exactly what kind of phobia the writer is talking about — the phobia mentioned in the previous sentence. The first use of a noun can be definite if the reader can understand from context or in some other way what the writer is essentially talking about.

The point of my professor’s exams was to make sure we understood the course material.

Please note that the phrase with a preposition after the word point significantly narrows its meaning and gives it a specific character. The phrase course material can only relate to the specific material of the professor’s course. Therefore, both nouns are definite. 

Countable nouns:

certain	uncertain
Units	theeg I need to study hardest for the exam that I write next Wednesday.	a yeareg I have an exam to write this afternoon, and then my summer holiday finally begins.
Mn.h.	theeg The exams that I wrote last year were much easier.	Øeg Exams are an inescapable fact of life for most university students.

Uncountable nouns:

certain	uncertain
Units	theeg The importance of studying hard cannot be exaggerated.	Øe.g. Do not attach importance to memorizing facts.

In these examples, we can trace the following: if a noun is definite, it is always used with the definite article the; if a noun is indefinite, it is never used with the article the. If you don’t have a sign in front of your eyes, you can always use the article correctly, just by remembering this simple rule.

Using articles to denote a class of items

Nouns can denote a whole group of similar objects, sometimes called a class. In this case, nouns can be of the following nature: (1) defined in the singular; (2) indefinite singular and (3) indefinite plural. Let’s take a look at some examples:

(1) The lion is a majestic animal.

(2) A lion is a majestic animal.

(3) Lions are majestic animals.

All three sentences convey the same meaning, but with different connotations. The first proposal singles out one lion as a representative of the whole lion class and makes its statement on this representative.

The second sentence states: take any lion you like from a whole class of lions and everything that you tell about him will be true and fair in relation to other representatives of this class. The third sentence makes its statement directly about the whole class of lions.

This third use is probably the most common.

Using articles before proper names

The rules in the table may not apply in all situations. In particular, they will not help you very much in the case of proper names. But, nevertheless, there are quite simple rules for using articles with proper names: for example, the zero article is used with the first and last names of people.

Source: https://lingua-airlines.ru/articles/ispolzovanie-artiklya/

What articles and when are used in English?

In many foreign languages ​​there is such a part of speech as the article (The Article). This is an official part of speech and it acts as a determinant of a noun. There is no such part of speech in Russian, so it is difficult for Russian-speaking people who are starting to learn English to get used to using articles in speech.

How and why are articles used in English?

But if we do not use them, it may be difficult to communicate with an Englishman, because he will not understand which particular subject is being discussed, whether he knows something about him or not. To avoid communication problems and just to learn how to express yourself correctly, it is important and necessary to study articles in English and the cases of their use.

Today we will talk about such an important topic as the use of articles in English, and also consider the cases when you need to use articles.

Types of articles in English

There are two types of articles in English:

• Definite Article (definite article)
• Indefinite Article (indefinite article)

THE — the definite article or Definite Article, and it is pronounced [ðǝ] when the noun begins with a consonant and [rɪ] when the noun begins with a vowel.

For example: the [ðǝ] school, the [rɪ]apple.
A or AN — indefinite (Indefinite Article).

When a noun begins with a consonant, we say “a banana «, but if with a vowel, then»an orange «.

To better understand what is the difference between a definite and an indefinite article in English, we will give an example in Russian:

When articles are used in English

Use of articles in English

It is important to remember here what are the rules for using articles in English:

• The article is used before every common noun.
• We do not use the article when the noun is preceded by a demonstrative or possessive pronoun, another noun in the possessive case, a cardinal number or negation no (not not!).

It is a girl. — It’s a girl.
My sister is an engineer. — My sister is an engineer.
I see the girls jumping the rope. — I see girls jumping rope.

As a rule, the indefinite article (Indefinite Article) in English is used when the subject is discussed for the first time, and also if nothing is known about the subject. The Definite Article appears where something is already known about the subject or it is mentioned again in the conversation. Let’s see this with a few examples. Note:

He has got a computer.- He has a computer (what kind of computer, what is with him, what brand, etc. — we do not know.
The computer is new. — The computer is new (Now there is some information about the computer — it is new).
It is a tree. — This is a tree (it is not clear which tree, nothing is known about it).
The tree is green. — The tree is green (something is already known, the tree is covered with green foliage).

What articles and when are used in English?

• Indefinite Article a, an can be used in exclamation sentences starting with the word que: What a surprise! — What a surprise! What a beautiful day! — What a beautiful day!
• Indefinite article a, an in English it is used only with countable nouns: This is a book. — This is a book. I see a boy. — I see a boy.
• Definite Article is used with both countable and uncountable nouns: The book I read is very interesting. — The book I am reading is very interesting. The meat you’ve bought is fresh. — The meat you bought is fresh.
• Indefinite Article is used before an adjective if it is followed by a noun: We have a large family. — We have a big family. I read an interesting book. — I am reading an interesting book.
• The indefinite article can be used in a sentence in the sense of the word «one, one, one»: My father has three children, two sons and a daughter. — My father has three children — two sons and one daughter. Today I bought a copy-book and two pens. — Today I bought one notebook and two pens.
• Definite Article is used in superlative adjectives: Pink Street is the largest street in that town. — Pink Street is the largest in this city.
• The definite article is used with geographical names, that is, before the names of rivers, canals, seas, mountains, oceans, bays, straits, archipelagos. But it is not used with the names of lakes, countries, continents. Exceptions: the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, the Ukraine, the Congo, the Crimea.

And now, friends, pay attention to which stable phrases in English there is always a definite article:

• in the south
• in the north
• in the east
• in the west
• to the south
• to the north
• to the east
• to the west
• What’s the use?
• To the cinema
• To the theater
• To the shop
• To the market
• At the cinema
• At the theater
• At the shop
• At the market.

There are still many separate cases of the use of articles in English. We will consider them in more detail in the articles, which are separately devoted to the definite article and separately to the indefinite article.

In general, the situation with articles in English is quite serious. They need and should be used in speech, there is simply nothing without them, otherwise we ourselves can get confused and confuse our interlocutor in the information presented.

And in order not to get confused about which articles and when to use them, just memorize these cases.

And you will see how this small but very necessary official part of speech will bring clarity to your conversation, and your speech will be beautiful and complete! So let the little ones the, a and an be your helpers in your English speech!

Source: https://englishfull.ru/grammatika/artikli-v-anglijskom.html

Articles in English (a, an, the, zero article)

Pauline Updated Nov 6, 2018

What are articles? They are not in the Russian language, we can do well without them. But English is indispensable, so we will master it. The good news is that there are only two of them: a / an and the.

In other words, before naming a noun, you need to think — whether we are talking about a specific object (the) or about any (a).

The indefinite article a / an comes from the numeral one, respectively, it is used with nouns only singular in meaning «any one any».

Give me a pen. — Give me a pen (it doesn’t matter which one, any one pen).

The definite article the comes from the demonstrative this — this. It is used with both singular and plural nouns, the main thing is that we are talking about a specific, known speaking object.

Give me the pen. — Give me a pen (that very, specific).

A / an Indefinite article

Let’s start by defining the difference between the choice of the article a and an.

An apple, an athlete, an architect, an interesting book. Try to guess why the indefinite article an is used and not a. I give a hint: pay attention to the next word, or rather, the letter with which it begins.

Have you guessed? True, if the next word begins with a vowel, then the article an is used, for euphony, so that there is no merger and this article can be heard.

A boy, a table, a chair. As you can see, the following words start with a consonant, so the article a is used, not an.

When the indefinite article a / an is used

I’d a coffee. — I would like 1 (cup) coffee.
He eats 5 times a day. — He eats 5 times a day (that is, in one day).

a hundred = one hundred (one hundred).

• In a classifying meaning, to indicate an item as simply a representative of a class, its name is:

This is a table. It is a table. (= one in a billion tables, not a chair, not a door, but a table).

• When an object is mentioned for the first time. A man entered the room. (Some) A man entered the room. A man not yet known to us. (When this man is mentioned a second time, he will already be used with the definite article the).
• In a generalized meaning — «any, everyone.» A lion is a dangerous animal. The lion is a dangerous animal.
• With the names of the professions. He is a doctor. She is an engineer. He is a doctor. She’s a designer.
• In some phrases expressing quantity — a little water — a little water, a few people — a few people, a couple of times — a couple of times, a lot of money — a lot of money.
• In exclamations after what: What a wonderful day! — What a lovely day! What an expensive car! — What an expensive car!

Remember that the indefinite article is used with only singular nouns, note that if the noun is plural, the article will not be used:

What wonderful people! — What wonderful people!

• In sentences after such:

It’s such a good idea! — This is such a good idea!

Let me remind you about the absence of an article in the plural:

They are such good friends! — They are such good friends!

• In the constructions There is / was / will be:

There is an apple on the table. — There is an apple on the table.

There will be a good way to do it. — There will be a good way to do it.

Zero article zero article

In cases where we are talking about something indefinite, non-specific, but a plural or uncountable noun, the zero article is used, or, in other words, no article is needed at all. Let’s take a closer look.

When used

• In a generalized meaning, but if the noun is plural.

Children chocolate. — Children love chocolate. (In general, children, any).

• With uncountable nouns, if we are talking about something indefinite and non-specific.

Source: https://4lang.ru/english/grammar/articles

Articles in English. When to use the definite article the

»Grammar» Articles » Articles in English. When to use the definite article the

As we continue talking about articles, we finally look at the definite article. How do you know to put the in front of a noun?

By the way, I’ll start with the good news that in the English language the definite article the one does not change, neither by numbers, nor by gender, nor by any other grammatical categories. Those who have studied the German language will surely appreciate it — after der / die / das (and at the same time dem with den), it is a pleasure to use only one form — the — it is a pleasure.

Now about when to use it. In its most general form, the rule looks like this: if the noun that we tell the interlocutor already knows (or we think we know), the article the is used before this noun. Let’s take a closer look at the main cases when it happens.

1.With a noun that has already been mentioned before

This is the basic rule. After the first mention with the indefinite article a, the object becomes known, becomes «thus». And therefore, any subsequent time with it, you must use the article the.

I have an apple and a banana. the apple is sour and banana is rotten. I have an apple and a banana. The apple is sour and the banana has gone bad.

2. The interlocutor knows which particular object is being discussed

If the noun has not yet surfaced in conversation, but the interlocutor must understand which of the many objects in question, use the. For example, if you are visiting, ask the owner where the toilet is — most likely, you mean the toilet in his apartment, and not the toilet in general: therefore «Where is the bathroom?» would be perfectly correct use of the definite article.

Dude, are you going to the party? — You mean tonight at John’s? No. man, I can’t. Dude, are you going out tonight? Which one does John have? No, I can’t.

3. There is an indication of what kind of object we are talking about

If in a sentence you define what kind of object you mean, then you need a definite article. At the same time, such a definition, depending on the situation, can be either a simple adjective or a whole subordinate sentence.

you take the red pill — you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. Choose the red pill — you stay in the Magic Land, and I will show you how deep the rabbit hole is (The Matrix)
You’re face to face with the man who sold the world. You’re face to face with the man who sold the world (David Bowie song. Or Nirvana cover)

4.With objects that are unique in nature

Some objects in nature have exactly one thing. For example, the sun. There are many stars, but the Sun is one, therefore the Sun.

The same can be said about the Earth, the Moon, the Solar System, the Milky Way, the world — in the sense of our world, the World.

But be careful, the rest of the planets are apparently considered less unique and don’t require a definite article. An even more difficult situation is with geographical names, we will talk about them separately.

The Milky Way is truly enormous — one hundred thousand light years in diameter. The Milky Way Galaxy is incredibly large — one hundred thousand light-years in diameter.

5.With superlative degree

For those who do not remember what a superlative degree is, this is all that «the most-most» is the smartest, the most beautiful. And since the two most-most, in theory, should not be (otherwise they cease to be the most-most, and become «one of»), it means that the most-most object is unique and deserves a definite article.

I’d climb the highest mountain, if I knew that when I climbed that mountain I’d find you. I would climb the highest mountain if I knew that after that I would find you (song from the 1920s)
The biggest dog in the world is 2.1 meters long and weights about 114 kgs. The largest dog in the world is 2.1 meters long and weighs about 114 kilograms.

This is where the general rules for using the definite article in English could end. But, as in many other cases, a long list of exceptions and individual cases is attached to the rule. I’m by no means trying to cover them all, but let’s take a look at a couple that I found interesting.

6.With a group of people

With the article the we speak of collective nouns that indicate a group of people. They can be assembled by profession — the Police (police), and by nationality — the Irish (Irish), and by social status — the working class (working class), or even they may not be people in the strict sense of the word — the Neanderthals (Neanderthals).

Well, the poor keep getting hungry and the rich keep getting fat. Politicians change, but they’re never gonna change that. The poor get hungrier, the rich get fatter. Politicians Change, But That Will Never Change (protest song by Hugh Laurie)

7.With decades

With decades, whether they are perestroika 80s, dashing 90s, or just zero, the definite article is used.

The roaring twenties ended with a start of the Great Depression. The Roaring Twenties ended with the onset of the Great Depression.
Synthpop, a genre of popular music which uses synthesizer a lot, became popular in the 80s. Synth-pop, a genre of pop music in which synthesizer was actively used, became popular in the eighties.

So: if the object somehow stands out from the «gray mass» for you and for your interlocutor — use the article the. And it can stand out in anything — or be truly unique (the only one in the world or the most-most), or simply be already mentioned in the previous sentence.

Source: https://englishexplained.ru/articles-4-definite-the/

8 rules for using the article the in English

An article is a word that defines a noun.

There are two types of articles in English: definite (the) and indefinite (a / an).

Based on the names, respectively, the indefinite article is used when we are talking about a phenomenon that we meet for the first time, an object in general, and a definite one — when we are talking about something specific, or already previously encountered in a conversation.

The concept of the article is present in many languages ​​of the world, but in the same number of languages ​​it is absent.

Therefore, do not panic if articles are not used in your native language.

Data 8 rules for using the article the in English help you make fewer mistakes when speaking English.

It is very important to be able to use the correct articles in your speaking or writing.

1.With the names of countries and continents

In this case, we do not use articles at all, BUT if the country name consists of parts, such as, USA, UK, UAEthen our article appears the, and will be: the USA, the UK, the UAE, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands.

This also applies to continents and islands: usually we do not use the article, but if the name is combined, the definite article has a place to be.

For example: Africa, Europe, Bermuda, Tasmania BUT the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas.

• She lived in America.
• They live in England.
• My friend is from the Czech Republic.

2.With the words breakfast, dinner, lunch

When it comes to eating in general, there is no article. But if you are talking about a specific breakfast, dinner or lunch, use the.

For example:

• I don’t eat breakfast.
• We didn’t the dinner.

3.With the names of work, profession

In this case, the indefinite article is used. a / an.

For example:

• I want to be a politician.
• My younger brother wants to be a vet.

4.With the names of the cardinal points

Usually the names of the cardinal points are written with a capital letter, so they are easy to recognize: the North, the South, the East, the West.

True, if a noun indicates a direction, then use it without an article and write with a small letter.

For example:

• They went east.
• The North is cooler than the South.

5.With the names of oceans, seas, rivers and canals

Remember that the definite article is always used with the names of these bodies of water.

For example: The Amazon, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal.

• I would swim in the Red Sea, and you?
• The Amazon is the longest river in the world.

6.With the names of unique phenomena

It means that a phenomenon or object exists in one copy, one of a kind, in particular, the sun, the moon, the interNET, the sky, the earth.

For example:

• The sun is a star.
• We looked up at all the stars in the sky.
• He is always on the internet.

7.With uncountable nouns

This category of nouns implies those units and concepts that we cannot count. Plus, as an identification mark in most cases, they don’t have an ending. -S — plural indicator.

But do not forget that there are ten exceptions for one rule, that is, if you are talking in general about some uncountable concept, there will be no article, but again, if the case is special, use the.

For example:

• I bread / milk / honey.
• I the bread / the milk / the honey. (Specifically, this and nothing else.)

8.With surnames

If we are talking about members of the same family, you can put the article the before the surname. Thus, you will designate a group of people, a family in one word.

For example:

• The Smith are coming for dinner today.
• Have you seen the Jonson recently?

These are not all uses of articles in English. However, remember these rules first as you gradually deepen your knowledge of English grammar.

Good luck!

Source: https://preply.com/blog/2014/11/27/8-pravil-ispolzovaniya-artiklya-the-v-anglijskom-yazyke/

Articles of nouns (Articles)

Articles are the main determinants of names of nouns… Before using any noun, it is necessary to decide whether it is definite or indefinite, i.e. it is necessary to imagine what kind of subject we are talking about: a specific one or any.

In English, the article is almost always used before nouns:

• Articles a и an bear the name undefined the Indefinite Article
• The bears the name opredelennogo the Definite Article

Consider three cases: when an indefinite article is used in front of a noun, when a definite article is used, and when an article is not used in front of a noun.

Indefinite article

There are two types of the indefinite article:

a — used before words starting with a consonant.
an — used before words beginning with a vowel.

A noun with an indefinite article is the name of an item in general, not a name for a specific item. For example, a student evokes the idea of ​​a student in general, that is, of a student of a higher education institution, but not of a specific person.

The meaning of the indefinite article can be expressed in Russian by such words as one, one of, some, some, some, any, any, each.

Use of the indefinite article

The indefinite article is used with countable nouns in the singular… It is not used in the plural, sometimes it is replaced by indefinite pronouns some (several) any (any, any).

Definite article

The definite article has a single form: the… Individualizing article the derived from the demonstrative pronoun That — that.

No indefinite article

The indefinite article is not used:

• before plural nouns
  an article — articles

• nouns abstractive
  imagination — imagination
• nounsreal, uncountable (nouns that cannot be counted, for example, you cannot say: three waters).
  water (water), salt (salt), tea (tea)

! If there is a definition in front of the noun, then the article is placed before this definition: a story (story)

an interesting story (interesting story)