WHAT IS AN ARTICLE?
An article has the same basic function as an adjective in that it is used to describe a noun.
There are two different articles in the English language: the and a/an. The is used to describe a
specific noun, whereas a/an is used to describe a more general noun. For this reason, the is also
referred to as a definite article, and a/an is referred to as an indefinite article.
The definite article, the, is used before both singular and plural nouns when
the noun is specific.
The cat is black and white.
I would love to meet the author of my favorite book.
Have you seen the lions that are living at the zoo?
The names of geographical places are specific nouns and, therefore, may
require definite articles. Do use “the” before the following specific nouns:
•
Names of rivers, oceans, and seas
the Mississippi River, the Navesink River
the Atlantic Ocean, the Dead Sea
•
Geographical areas
the Mediterranean, the Northern Hemisphere, the South
•
Deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas
the Gobi Desert, the Amazon
the Gulf of Mexico, the Baja Peninsula
•
Groups of lakes, mountain ranges, and chains of islands
the Great Lakes, the Andes, the Rocky Mountains
the Canary Islands, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas
However, no article is necessary before the following specific nouns:
•
Singular names of countries or territories
Canada, Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico
•
Names of cities, towns or states
New York City, West Long Branch, New Jersey
No article is necessary before the following specific nouns:
•
Names of streets
35th Street, Park Place, Broadway
•
Names of lakes and bays
Lake Winnipesauke, Lake George, Barnegat Bay
•
Names of mountains
Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount St. Helens
•
Names of continents
Africa, Australia, North America
•
Names of islands
Fiji, Easter Island, Hawaii
•
Names of languages
Spanish, English, Russian
•
Names of sports
badminton, bowling, miniature golf
•
Names of academic subjects
psychology, criminal justice, anthropology
A and an are indefinite articles that identify nouns; however, the nouns are
not specific. This means that a and an can refer to any member of a group.
Jamie was hoping to apply to an internship next semester.
(The use of the indefinite article “an” in this sentence implies that Jamie was
hoping to apply to any internship next semester, not a specific internship.)
Jamie was hoping to apply to the internship at the law firm next semes-
ter.
(The use of the definite article “the” in this sentence implies that Jamie was
hoping to apply to a specific internship next semester: not just any internship, but
the one at the law firm.)
My sister needs to buy a new car since she totaled hers.
(The use of the indefinite article “a” in this sentence implies that my sister needs
to buy any car she can find, not a specific one.)
My sister needs to buy the car she saw in the paper since she totaled
hers.
(The use of the definite article “the” in this sentence implies that my sister
needs to buy a specific car: not just any car, but the one she saw in the paper.)
Note: Sometimes a vowel at the beginning of a word may sound like a consonant.
•
a user, a university, a uniform
With these words, the vowel “u” takes on the sound of “you,” requiring the
indefinite article “a.” However, other words beginning with the same letter
may not have a consonant sound and, therefore, require the indefinite article
“an.” For example:
•
an usher, an umbrella
Note: When the noun is modified by an adjective, a or an is used according to the word
closest to it.
•
an important meeting
•
a school play
Note: A and an depend on the sound that follows it. If the sound preceding the article is a
vowel sound, use an. If the sound preceding the article is a consonant sound, use a.
•
an orange
•
an entrée
•
a dog
•
a meal
Note: Sometimes a consonant at the beginning of a word may be silent.
•
an honor, an hour
With these words, the consonant “h” is silent, requiring the indefinite article
“an.” However, other words beginning with the same letter may not be silent
and, therefore, require the indefinite article “a.” For example:
•
a hero, a horror
Last modified 8/11/11
