How to Use English Articles
a an the
English learners often struggle with articles, especially if their native language doesn't have them. There are numerous rules for article usage and just as many exceptions. Articles can be annoying, but they are possible to master.
Articles are divided into definite (the) and indefinite (a, an). The means something specific and implies only this/that or these/those; a and an mean something non-specific and imply any one thing or person. We choose articles based on whether nouns are count or non-count. Also, context plays an important role. Sometimes no article is required.
Count nouns are those that we can count, and they can be singular or plural:
book – books; cup – cups; woman – women; leaf – leaves; costume - costumes
Count nouns can be used with a/an, the, or no article.
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Non-count nouns we cannot count, and they take only a singular form:
coffee (we can't say "coffees"); knowledge (we can't say "knowledges")
Non-count nouns use only the or no article.
- When it is clear from the context who or what exactly is being discussed, we use the.
The painting on the wall is beautiful. (Everyone understands which painting, and it is the only wall where that painting is hanging)
- When it is unclear from the context who or what is being discussed, we use a/an or no article.
I bought a painting. (It can be any painting; it is mentioned for the first time)
Some words and phrases are used in set ways. Here are some examples:
Indication of time: in the evening, the past, the twenty-first century, the end
Social groups: the public, the government, the media, the middle class
Body parts: the heart, the leg, the lungs, the stomach
Adjectives used as plural nouns: the poor, the homeless, the Swiss, the Irish
Geographic references: the Bahamas, the Atlantic Ocean, the West, the USA
Organizations: the United Nations, the Red Cross
Idioms with the: go to the store, the bank, the restroom, the movies, the hospital,
play the piano, call the police, listen to the radio,
without articles: go to work, school, home, college (but to the university);
by bus, by train, on foot, on campus, stay in bed, eat dinner, after lunch
Read the following story, underline all the nouns and analyze why they are used with or without articles:
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I have a friend. Her name is Katy. She is an adult, but sometimes she acts like a child. She loves Halloween, and every October she buys a huge pumpkin to carve a funny monster face on it and wears a crazy costume to go trick-or-treating. She decorates her house with giant artificial spiders, evil witches, and spooky skeletons. Last year, she had several Halloween misfortunes. When she grabbed a spider into her hand, thinking it was one of the decorations, the spider turned out a real tarantula. It didn't bite her, but she screamed so loudly that the whole neighborhood could hear her. That same night, another incident happened. Some pranksters smashed her fancy pumpkin displayed on the porch, and she had to clean the terrible mess. She was so depressed that she ate all the candies she got from trick-or-treating, which caused her a severe stomachache. Nonetheless, she still loves Halloween.
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Over time, everyone can develop a natural sense for articles. Nowadays, you can get any information online, so if you are not sure whether a noun is count or non-count, browse the Internet or look it up in a dictionary. Also, read and analyze articles in various contents and try to figure out why they are used that way.
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現役留学生コラム Vol. 140
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