Help in Determining the Use of Articles

A. Use 'the'

1. before unique nouns (The sun is very hot.) (The Himalayas are very high.)

2. before nouns of nationality (The Spaniards and the Arabs are meeting today.)

3. before nouns made particular in context (She goes to the bazaar everyday.) (She is the mother of that boy,) (At the conclusion of the article, the author summerized his views.)

4. before a noun modified by a participle (The solution given in this article is incorrect.)

5. before superlatives (The richest person in the world is a recluse.)

6. before a noun modified by an "of-phrase" (The Institute of Nuclear Physics has very stringent acceptance criteria.) (We are attending the University of Illinois.)

B. Do not use 'the'

1. before proper nouns

NOT THIS: The shakespeare was an aactor as well as a writer.

THIS: Shakespeare was an actor as well as a writer.

NOT THIS: The Sunday is a day of worship in Christianity.

THIS: Sunday is a day of worship in Christianity.

2. before abstract nouns

NOT THIS: The friendship is a very special relationship between two people.

THIS: Friendship is a very special relationship between two people.

NOT THIS: I enjoy getting out and observing the nature.

THIS: I enjoy getting out and observing nature.

NOT THIS: The science is observable in everyday life.

THIS: Science is observable in everyday life.

3. before nouns behaving like abstract nouns

NOT THIS: After the school, I always go to Treno's.

THIS: After school, I always go to Treno's.

NOT THIS: After eating the breakfast, I have to hurry to work.

THIS: After eating breakfast, I have to hurry to work.

4. before "some"

NOT THIS: The some ancient artifacts have been found in the pyramids.

THIS: Some ancient artifacts have been found in the pyramids.

C. Use 'a' or 'an'

1. before class nouns defined by adjectives (He was a good boy.) (He is a brave man.)

D. Do not use 'a' or 'an'

1. before a plural noun qualified by an adjective

NOT THIS: A holy places are sacred in many religions.

THIS: Holy places are sacred in many religions.

NOT THIS: A human beings may not be the only life in our galaxy.

THIS: Human beings may not be the only life in our galaxy.

2. before uncountables

NOT THIS: A gold used to be mined in Colorado.

THIS: Gold used to be mined in Colorado.

NOT THIS: A work is good for you.

THIS: Work is good for you.

3. before an adjective

NOT THIS: His theory is taken as an acceptable.

THIS: His theory is taken as acceptable.