Using articles

This page sets out important rules for the use of articles.

When do I use an indefinite article – 'a/an'?

1. Use 'a/an' with singular, countable nouns

'A' or 'an' indicates that the noun is one example of many, and does not identify an exact person or thing.

eg. I have read a book on this topic. (i.e. one of several books, but I do not expect the reader to know which book)

2. Use no article (or use a quantity word) with indefinite, uncountable nouns

Quantity words include: 'some, many, much, little, few, considerable, minimal'

eg. __ Water leaked through the ceiling and caused considerable damage. We had little time to clean it up.

When do I use a definite article - 'the'?

Note: You can use 'the' with both countable and uncountable nouns

eg. The books (C) relating to the current research (U) are in the reading guide (C).

1. Use 'the' when the reader knows which noun is being referred to, because:

• The noun has been mentioned before.  
  
  Some schools have a career counsellor. The counsellor has an important role in preparing students for work.  ('counsellor' was introduced in the first sentence, so in the second sentence, 'the' is used)

• The noun is a specific one (or specific group). In this case, a phrase or clause in the sentence specifies 'which one(s)'. 
  
  The results for October are detailed in the report released on Monday. 
  (Which results? Specifically, October; which report? The one which was released on Monday.)

• The noun is unique in this context, and therefore identifiable
  
  The sun had just set and the moon had not yet risen. (We are talking about the sun and moon which are closest to planet Earth, not those of distant planets).
  
  A press release had been sent from the Vatican.  (There is only one Vatican)
  
  Have you heard that the Prime Minister has resigned? (We are in a country with a Prime Minister, so we can assume our reader or listener knows which Prime Minister we are talking about).

When do I not need an article - zero article?

1. When referring to all members of a group.

Tigers are endangered.

2. When an uncountable noun refers to a general concept.

Water is essential for life.

3. Before names of people, books, movies, plays -- unless 'the' or 'a' is part of the title.

My favourite book is Animal Farm.  
The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare.
Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind won four Academy Awards. 

4. Before most geographical features:

This includes towns, cities, states, lakes, and continents.
It also includes single islands, single mountains, and most countries*.

Melbourne is in Victoria.
K'gari / Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world.
The rock on Mount Stromlo is primarily ignimbrite. 

*Exceptions: place names that comprise a group (of islands, mountains or countries), as well as oceans, seas and rivers.
eg. the Andes; the Great Barrier Reef; the Galapagos, the Philippines; the United Arab Emirates; the Pacific Ocean; the Nile River; the Mekong

4. Before sports, games and dishes.

He plays football.
I like chess.
They’re serving fried chicken tonight.

Final tip

Good use of articles makes your writing more precise and easier to read. Take a few minutes each week to practice reviewing articles in texts you read to see which of the rules above apply. You can then begin to integrate them in your own writing.