General rules for the use of articles in English

Why do you even need an article in English? Its main function is to indicate the definiteness or ambiguity
of a noun. Therefore, there are two articles in English - the indefinite article a / an (indefinite article) and
the definite article the (definite article). There is also such a thing as zero article.

The choice of one of the articles is inextricably linked with the calculability of the noun:

The indefinite article a / an is used with singular countable nouns.

The definite article the can be used with countable nouns (regardless of their number) and with
uncountable nouns.

The zero article is used with uncountable or plural nouns.

I heard a story (countable noun singular). - I heard the story.

It is good advice (uncountable noun). - That's good advice.

I liked the films (countable plural noun). - I liked the films.

Students often make three common mistakes when choosing an article:

Use the indefinite article a / an with plural countable nouns:

I'd like to buy a books. - I would like to buy books.

Use the indefinite article a / an with uncountable nouns:

I love a modern furniture. - I love modern furniture.

Use countable nouns in the singular without an article:

You should visit doctor a doctor. - You should go to the doctor.

Give this toy to dog the dog. - Give this toy to the dog.

If a noun is used with an adjective, then we put the article before the adjective.

It is a hot day. - Today is a hot day.

It is the hottest day of this week. - This is the hottest day this week.

We do not use the articles a, an or the if the noun is already preceded by:
possessive pronoun (my - my, his - his);

demonstrative pronoun (this - this, that - that);

numeral (one - one, two - two).

This is my house. - This is my house.

I have one sister. - I have one sister.

The main principle for choosing an article in English: we put the indefinite article a / an when we are
talking not about a specific object, person or phenomenon, but about one of many. If we are talking
about something or someone specific, we use the definite article the.

Articles are not translated into Russian, but if you try to translate by meaning, then the indefinite article
means "one", definite - "this", "that".

I need a purse. - I need a purse. (some one handbag)

I need the purse I took yesterday. “I need the purse I took yesterday. (the same, specific handbag)