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Rule #3 - All things or things in general: Use no article with plural count nouns or any noncount nouns used to mean all or in general.

Use the article the when the noun refers to something or someone that is unique.

The boy sitting next to me raised his hand.

Use the article the when an adjective, phrase, or clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts its identity.

Use the article the when a particular noun has already been mentioned previously.

Rule #2 - Specific identity known: Use the definite article the with any noun (whether singular or plural, count or noncount) when the specific identity of the noun is known to the reader, as in the following situations:

The plural form of a or an is some. Use some to indicate an unspecified, limited amount (but more than one).

◊ Sometimes an adjective comes between the article and noun:

Use the article a before a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound.

Use the article a or an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one).

Use the article a or an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.

Rule #1 - Specific identity not known: Use the indefinite article a or an only with a singular count noun whose specific identity is not known to the reader. Use a before nouns that begin with a consonant sound, and use an before nouns that begin with a vowel sound. Therefore, according to the rules applying to noncount nouns, the word water would use no article or the, but not a.įollowing are the three specific rules which explain the use of definite and indefinite articles. However, if we are speaking of water in general spilled on the table, it would not be appropriate to count one water or two waters - there would simply be water on the table. Therefore, according to the rules applying to count nouns, the word drop would use the articles a or the. The word drop in this example is a count noun because we can count the number of drops.

Noncount nouns are always in singular form.įor example, if we are speaking of water that has been spilled on the table, there can be one drop ( singular) or two or more drops ( plural) of water on the table. In addition, count nouns are either singular (one) or plural (more than one). Non-count nouns - refers to items that are not counted and are always singularįor the purposes of understanding how articles are used, it is important to know that nouns can be either count (can be counted) or noncount (indefinite in quantity and cannot be counted). Continue reading for a more detailed explanation of the rules and for examples of how and when to apply them.Ī (before a singular noun beginning with a consonant sound)Īn (before a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound)Ĭount nouns - refers to items that can be counted and are either singular or plural There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.Īs a guide, the following definitions and table summarize the basic use of articles. The indefinite article ( a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known. The definite article ( the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader.

Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective. In English there are three articles: a, an, and the.