General Rules |
When to use “a” or “an” |
When to use “the” |
Don’t use “a,” “an” or “the” |
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With a singular count noun when you mean “one of many,” “any,” “in general”:
-Bob is a student. (One of many students)
-I like a good movie. (one of many movies) |
When the meaning is specific (ex: when the noun names the only one of its kind)
-Adam was the first man.
-New York City is the largest city in the U.S. (only one city can be the largest)
-Have you heard the news? (specific news) |
With a non-count when you mean “any” or “in general.”
-We believe in love (in general).
-He gave me information. (not specific) |
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The first time you use a noun in a paragraph:
-I saw a movie last night.
-A man ran into the street. |
The second time you use the same noun in the same paragraph:
-I saw a movie last night. The movie was funny.
-A man ran into the street. A car hit the man. |
Don’t use plural count when you mean “some of many things” or “any” or “in general”:
-Movies are entertaining.
-She likes men. |
Title |
If the title is not specific:
-a president. (any president)
-a doctor. (any doctor)
-a queen. (any queen) |
If a specific person has a title:
-the president (ex: our current president)
-the doctor (ex: the doctor that I saw this week)
-the Queen of England. |
Don’t use if the person’s name is given:
-President Kennedy
-Dr. Yang
-Queen Elizabeth |
Names of Countries |
Non-specific:
-a country. |
If the name of the country is plural or indicates a group (of states, islands, etc):
-the United States.
-the Philippines
-the Netherlands |
Don’t use (it is specific but not plural):
-Russia
-South Africa
-Holland
-Canada |
Names of Continents |
Non-specific:
-a continent |
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Don’t use:
-Africa
-Asia
-Europe |
Some Geographical Areas |
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-the South Pole
-the West
-the South |
-Western Europe |
Oceans, Rivers, Seas, Deserts, Forests, Canals |
Non-specific:
-an ocean
-a river
-a sea |
Specific:
-the Pacific Ocean
-the Potomac River
-the Red Sea |
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College, University |
Non-specific reference:
-a school
-a university |
If the title has “of” or “for” in it:
-the University of Maryland
-the Maryland School for the Deaf |
Don’t use if the school is named for a person or place:
-Harvard University
-George Washington University
-Georgetown University |