ENGLISH ARTICLES – THE GROUPS

English articles fall into three groups: definite, indefinite and zero articles.

DEFINITE ENGLISH ARTICLES

The single definite article is the. The specifies a particular noun, usually in a specific
context.

For example, the Prime Minister of the UK. There may be many prime ministers in
the world, but the context is that there is is only one specific Prime Minster of one
specific UK.

INDEFINITE ENGLISH ARTICLES

The indefinite articles are a and an. These are unspecific and define any noun within a
group.

For example, I would like to watch a film. We haven’t specified which film so it
could be any film.

ZERO ENGLISH ARTICLES

Sometimes, with certain nouns, the article is omitted. This occurs in specific instances
such as with some abstract nouns or ideas, place names, languages and sports nouns.
See the rules below for specific examples.

With those outline grammar rules understood, let’s look at the 11 rules of English
Articles.

Rule 1 – Use the Correct Form

The form for articles is: article (+ adjective) + noun
  A kitchen.
 A large house.
 The red box over there.
 The small house on the hill.

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Rule 2 – Use A or AN for Non-Specific Nouns

Use the indefinite articles a and an when we are referring generally to a noun within a
larger group; when the noun is not specific.

For example,

 I’m going to ask a friend to come with me – It could be any friend, I don’t
mind or I haven’t yet decided.
 I’m waiting for an answer – I don’t know what the answer will be, but I
expect an answer of some kind.

Rule 3 – Use THE for Specific Nouns

We use the definite article the when the noun is specific, there’s only one. The can be
used with singular, plural and uncountable nouns.

 The Prime Minister of the UK.

 Can you pass me the sugar that’s on the table.
 The cars outside my home are blocking my driveway

Rule 4 – Use A Before a Consonant Sound

A is used before a noun beginning with a consonant sound. If the noun is modified by
an adjective, a is used before those adjectives which start with a consonant sound.

 I want to buy a camera.

 I’d like to live in a big apartment. (The adjective big starts with a
consonant sound so we use a).
  My son is choosing a university (u is a vowel but the sound is a y
consonant sound so we use a).

Rule 5 – Use AN Before a Vowel Sound

An should be used before a noun with a vowel sound. When an adjective modifies the
noun, an is used before an adjective with a vowel sound

 He’s an honest man. (The ‘h’ is silent so the first sound of the adjective is
an o; a vowel sound so we use an).
 An epic journey. (The adjective is a vowel sound so we use an).
 The ship hit an iceberg. (The noun is a vowel sound so we use an).

Rule 6 – Omit Articles for Standard Place Names, Nationalities

and Languages
We don’t use articles for standard place names, nationalities and languages.

 I’m going to Spain for my holidays.

 London is a very expensive city.
 My favourite county in England is Essex.
 My cousin is German and my brother has married a Mexican.
 I speak Spanish and French. I can read a bit of Italian, but I don’t
understand German.

Note: when the nationalities are used in noun phrases, you will use an article. I am
English and I am an English man. She is French, she is a French woman.

Rule 7 – Use THE with Grouped Place Names

We use the when the place name describes the type of place or a collection or group
of places. For example:

 The United Kingdom.

 The Lake District
 The Scottish Highlands
 The Russian Federation.
 The Republic of France.
  The Balearic Islands.

Rule 8 – Omit Articles for Nouns Describing Abstract Ideas

We do not use articles when the nouns we are using refer to abstract ideas. Often we
use abstract nouns for this, but not always. The key point is that the idea you are
expressing is abstract.

It can also mean that something is being spoken about in a general sense.

 Friendship (in general) is wonderful.

 Without creativity (in general) we would have no art.
 I’d like to go out for dinner to a restaurant. (Dinner here is an abstract
idea, a general concept regarding the main meal of the day rather than
describing food).
 He showed great bravery in the face of danger.

Rule 9. Omit Articles with Uncountable Nouns when Describing

a General Concept
Since uncountable nouns are nouns that are difficult or impossible to count, you never
use an indefinite article.

By definition, uncountable nouns describe a general group, whereas a or an indicate

that you are describing one of a group. You are describing a general idea about the
uncountable noun.

 She likes music (She likes music in general, nothing specific)

 He drinks a lot of water (He drinks water in general, no specific type).
 Too much sugar is bad for your teeth. (A general fact about sugar).
 I enjoy watching football and cricket (I enjoy these sports as a general
concept rather than any specific match).
 My daughter is studying economics and mathematics at university.

We often use an additional noun to turn an uncountable noun into a countable option.
In this situations we use an article. Therefore, he drinks water could become, he
drinks a glass of water. I like to watch football becomes I like to watch a game of
football.
 Rule 10 – Use THE with Uncountable Specific Nouns
Wherever the uncountable noun is defined or specific, you should use the.

 He drank the water she brought him.

 He dropped the sugar he was using all over the floor.
 Get out of the water, it’s dirty. (Get out of the specific water you are in).
 I love the music you’re playing. (It’s a specific piece of music you love).

Rule 11 – Use or Omit Articles for Locations to Change

Meaning
We change the meaning of a sentence containing a location noun by either using or
omitting the article the.

When using the with a location noun, what we are describing will be a specific
building or a specific location.

When we omit the article the, we are describing an activity we are attending.

Some examples:

 I am going to the church – I am going to the building that is a church. I

am going there for a reason but it may not be to worship, it may be
because it’s a beautiful building or I’m meeting someone there.
 I am going to church – I am going to worship at a church.

 I am in hospital – I am ill and in a medical facility being cured.

 I am in the hospital – I am visiting a specific hospital building. I’m
probably not ill and just visiting the place for another reason.

 My son is at university – My son is studying for a formal qualification at a

university.
 My son is at the university – My son is at a specific university building and he
is there for reasons other than study. Maybe he’s visiting friends or for another
reason.