Article Usage Articles precede and introduce nouns in English. There are two kinds of articles in the English
language: definite (“the”) and indefinite (“a” or “an”). The concept of count and non-count
nouns is important in understanding how and when to use the definite article or indefinite
articles.
USING THE DEFINITE ARTICLE “THE”
1) General Usage
“The” is called a “definite article” because it identifies a specific noun. A noun is considered
specific when both the writer and the reader understand what is being referred to, or when the
noun has already been mentioned.
Examples:
Did you feed the dog? (Both the reader and writer know which dog is being referred to.)
We gave my mother a big box of gourmet chocolate for Mother’s Day. The box
included four different kinds of chocolate truffles. (“The” is used the second time the
noun “box” is mentioned.)
2) Count and Non-Count Nouns
Uses of the definite article “the” will vary depending on whether you are identifying count or
non-count nouns.
Count Nouns: These are nouns that are individual items which can be counted. Plural count
nouns use the definite article “the” when referring to specific items and never use “a/an.” (Nonspecific, singular count nouns will use the indefinite articles “a” or “an.”)
Examples:
The apples in the refrigerator came from my neighbor’s orchard. (“The” is appropriate
in this sentence since the writer is referring to specific apples.)
Apples are at their best in early fall. (In this sentence, “apples” does not require an
article because it refers to apples in general.)
1 Updated 3/13 Non-Count Nouns
Non-count nouns describe items or ideas that are abstract and that cannot be counted
individually. Some examples are air, dirt, wisdom, intelligence, pasta, and wine (see Diane
Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference, 7th edition, for a list of commonly used non-count nouns, p. 243).
Non-count nouns are never made plural, and always use “the” if the noun referred to is specific.
Examples:
The information that you gave me enabled me to get the job. (“Information” is a noncount noun, and “the” is used because the sentence refers to specific “information.”)
Satisfaction is guaranteed, or you will get your money back. (“Satisfaction” is a noncount noun. However, no article is used because “satisfaction” is an abstract idea in this
context.)
Exceptions: Some nouns can be determined as countable or uncountable only when read in the
context of the sentence.
Examples:
Hope was the only thing that kept the victim alive. (In this sentence, hope is a non-count
noun because it is a generalization.)
Anne held on to the hope that she would get an engagement ring for Valentine’s Day.
(In this sentence, hope is countable because there are different things for which Anne
could hope.)
Proper nouns (the names of specific people, places, or things) are considered non-count nouns,
but only use the article “the” if the proper noun is plural.
Examples:
I have never visited the Great Lakes. (“The” is appropriate in this sentence because the
proper noun, Great Lakes, is plural.)
We went to Europe on our family vacation. (There is no definite article before
“Europe” because it is singular.)
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1) General Usage
The two definite articles in English are “a” and “an.” They are used before nouns that are
non-specific and singular. “A” is used before nouns beginning with consonants, while “an” is
used before nouns beginning with a vowel.
Examples:
A child with blue mittens was playing on the swings. [“A” is used because the particular
child is not identified, and because “child” begins with a consonant.]
An apple was left on the teacher’s desk at the end of the semester. [“An” is used
because no particular apple has been identified, and because “apple” begins with a
vowel.]
Exceptions:
1) When singular nouns begin with a vowel that sounds like a consonant, use “a”
instead of “an.” Conversely, if the noun begins with a consonant that has a vowel
sound, then use “an” instead of “a.”
Examples: a unit (yoo-nit), an hour (our)
2) When an adjective is used between the article and the noun, choose “a” or “an”
depending on the beginning sound of the adjective.
Examples: a ripe apple, an unusual circumstance
2) Count and Non-Count Nouns
Count Nouns
To choose the appropriate indefinite article before a singular count noun, follow the
rules stated above. Plural count nouns never use “a/an” (see the guidelines for using the
definite article “the” for plural count nouns).
Non-Count Nouns
Non-count nouns do not use “a/an,” nor are they ever made plural (see the guidelines
for using the definite article “the” for non-count nouns).
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