Use a or an for general reference.
When you use a or an, you mean any item.
Al owns a car. [This is the same
as saying any car.]
Nina saw a dolphin. [This is the same as saying any dolphin.]
Use the when you mean a single, specific person,
place or thing. This unique person, place or thing may have been mentioned
using a or an earlier in the writing.
The car stalled. [The refers to
a specific car.]
The dolphin jumped very high. [The refers to a specific
dolphin.]
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 1
RULE
2:
Place a or an before
singular nouns only.
an atom a building a cell a Canadian dollar an Indian elephant
atoms
buildings
cells
Canadian dollars
Indian elephants
Place
the before singular or plural nouns.
the computer the computers
the disk drive
the disk drives the electric bill the electric bills
NOTE:
In general, do not use an article before nouns that name religions,
philosophies, intellectual or artistic movements, or nations.
Not:
The Roman Catholicism
But:
Roman Catholicism
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 2
RULE3:
Place a or an before
nouns that can be counted. Don't use a or an before
nouns that cannot be counted.
Count The mountain climber
used a tank of oxygen.
They marveled at the many cultural wonders of France.
Jason was a hero.
Noncount Oxygen and hydrogen combine to from water.
They learned to speak French.
Jason had courage.
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 3
RULE
4:
Use a before consonant sounds;
use an before vowel sounds.
Consonant:
A thick green slime
covered the bay.
Sajid bought a copier
and a fax machine.
Vowel:
She developed an aptitude
for skiing.
Andre saw an octogenarian
leading an animal that resembled an opossum.
CAUTION:
Words beginning with a silent -h
actually begin with a vowel sound; they take an:
an hour, an
honor
Some words beginning with
-un take a:
a university,
a union, a unicycle
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 4
RULE
5:
If an adjective comes before a noun
Place a before adjectives
that begin with consonants.
a disastrous error in judgement
a juvenile attempt to be funny
Place an before adjectives that
begin with vowels.
an elegant reception at
the British consulate
an online course in English composition
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 5
RULE
6:
In most cases, don't use articles with
abstract nouns, such as words that name attitudes, diseases, emotions,
holidays, languages, philosophies, religions, sports, and studies.
Henri loves art history.
There are laws against sexualharassment.
Marion had recovered from pneumonia.
Enzo's only vice is gluttony.
Our vacation ends on LaborDay.
Paul studied Sanskrit.
My friends follow Buddhism.
Ernie believes excessive pride
is a sin.
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 6
RULE
7:
Don't use the when referring
to all members of a group.
Not:
The woodchucks hibernate
in winter.
But:
Woodchucks hibernate in
winter.
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 7
RULE
8:
Don't use articles with these kinds
of proper nouns:
2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education