An article is a functional word which we use with a noun to show its definiteness or indefiniteness. There are 2 types of articles in English: indefinite (a/an) and definite (the). The term zero article refers to occasions when there is no article preceding a noun (or a noun phrase). Here is basic information about how to use articles with different kinds of noun:
| Noun | Article | Example |
| countable singular | a / an | My friend has a car. |
| countable singular | the | The black car is his car. |
| countable plural | the | The cars are in the car park. |
| countable plural | zero article | We use cars to get somewhere. |
| uncountable singular | the | The sugar is in the sugar bowl. |
| uncountable singular | zero article | Sugar is not expensive. |
THE MAIN USES OF ARTICLES:
| Meaning | A / An | The | Zero article |
| specific | Sally has a dog. | She walks the dog. | She likes dogs. |
| general | A dog is a loyal animal. | The domestic dog is a member of the genus Canis. | Dogs were not sacred animals in ancient Egypt but cats were. |
| the listener/reader doesn’t know which person/thing exactly | There is a dog with a ball. | – | – |
| the listener/reader knows which exactly | – | The dog which I see is a Dalmatian. | – |
THE MAIN USES OF A/AN:
| The use | Examples |
| something hasn’t been mentioned before | There is a book on the shelf. |
| any one of a group of things or people in general | She wants to be a doctor. |
| all things of the same kind | A snake is a reptile. |
| words expressing an amount | I am a little tired. |
| words expressing frequency | I drink coffee two times a day. |
| two things which are often mentioned together as though they are one thing | I need a cup and saucer. |
| a type of a particular thing | This creamery produces a fine cheese. |
| somebody’s name when the person is a stranger | There is a Mr. Jones waiting for you in the hall. |
| after what, such, and rather to emphasize what we are saying | She is such a good person.
What a beautiful day! He’s rather a nice man. |
THE MAIN USES OF THE:
| The use | Examples |
| somebody or something you have already mentioned | There are two candies – the chocolate one is in my pocket and the caramel is on the table. |
| something unique in some way | This song is the best for me.
The moon and the sun are my inspiration. (BUT This planet has a small moon – there are other suns and moons int he universe) |
| something specific + of / which | The notebook which I am holding is your present.
The capital of Great Britain is London. |
| something restricted to a particular case | The popularity enjoyed by pop stars wasn’t that interesting for him. |
| the names of some countries (usually federations, republics (“collective”) and “plural” countries) | The Netherlands and the Czech Republic have signed an agreement.
The USA has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council. The Russian Federation is commonly known as Russia. |
| mountain ranges/chains | The Alps are a popular tourist destination. |
| names of canals, rivers, seas and oceans | The Nile is the longest river on Earth.
The Panama [ˌpænə’mɑː] Canal divides the national territory from north-west to south-east and is 80 km long. The city of Mariupol is located on the coast of the Sea of Azov. The Pacific Ocean occupies a central place in the lives of the people of the Pacific Islands. |
| somebody who we visit regularly | I am going to see the doctor tomorrow. |
| the name of a whole group (if these are clearly plural) / family | The Johnsons live here.
The Beatles are a legend. (BUT Pink Floyd are a legend too) The Social Democrats are popular in the country now. |
| something well-known because it is a part of everyday life or nature | I always have breakfast in the morning. |
| parts of the body | He kissed her on the lips. |
| an adjective which is used as a noun to refer to a whole group / nationality | The British consume much tea.
(Single examples are not formed in the same way: a Frenchman/woman, an Englishman/woman) It’s the area where the poor live. |
| dates (in speech) | She was born on the second of January (January 2 in writing). |
| a type of entertainment | Let’s go to the theatre/theater (American English). |
| somebody in the official position (these tend to be “unique”) | The Pope is going to visit this church.
The director of studies has come. (BUT if the title has a description coming after the noun, the is more likely, but not essential: She became President in 1999. She became (the) President of India in 1999.) |
THE ZERO ARTICLE (ZERO DETERMINER) IS USED BEFORE:
| Zero article use | Examples |
| the plural form of a countable noun which is used in a general sense | I read books a lot. |
| an uncountable noun which is used in a general sense | I like pop music. |
| names of languages | I am learning English.
BUT I am learning the English language. |
| an adjective if it is not followed by a noun | It is beautiful. |
| airports / train stations | Heathrow is a huge airport.
Shinjuku Station is a major railway station in Tokyo. |
| universities | She’s always dreamed to study at Oxford University.
BUT She’s always dreamed to study at the University of Oxford. |
| shops/restaurants named after people / banks | He works at McDonald’s.
Let’s go to Brown’s Restaurant. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited is the largest bank in the world. |
| churches / cathedrals | St. Paul’s Cathedral is definitely worth seeing. |
| meals | I always have lunch in the same café.
BUT I decided to have a good lunch at the most famous inn in the region. |
| diseases / illnesses | Flu can be very dangerous (generally speaking).
(the/a can also be used): She has come down with the flu. We think it’s a flu or something. |
| streets / roads | She lives in Fifth Avenue.
Route 66 runs directly beneath that building. |
| mountain peaks | Mount Everest is the highest peak of the world. |
| continents | Africa is sometimes called Dark Continent. |
| most countries / states | They live in Alabama.
Australia occupies a whole continent. |
| lakes | Lake Baikal is the deepest on the planet. |
| a school / college / prison / church when not focusing on any particular one | Their children go to school.
Then how could he enter college? I must now go to church. I don’t want to go to prison.
|
| hospitals / universities etc. when talking about the purpose of the institution, not the building | He’s in hospital now but he’ll be getting better soon.
Women occupy many more part-time student spaces at university. |
| a way of travelling | I like to travel by bus. |
| + common phrases like at home, at work, in bed | She likes to spend time at home.
He is at work now. She is in bad with a cold. |
Are you ready for some more information on articles? Check out our post on intermediate-advanced rules about English articles.
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