a an
Indefinite article a in front of words
beginning with consonants
(b,c,d,f,g… z)
A comes before nouns not
specifically known to the reader.
Singular nouns
the
Indefinite article an comes before
words beginning with vowels
(a,e,i,o,u)
An comes before nouns not
specifically known to the reader.
Singular nouns
No article
Definite article The comes in front of
nouns whether they begin with a
vowel or a consonant.
Is used in front of a specific object General things
the reader knows.
Plural nouns Uncountable nouns
A collection of states (the USA, the Countries
UK, The Philippines, the United States
Emirates) Counties
Provinces
lakes
Multiple areas: The Netherlands, The Sports
British Isles, The Maldives, the Meals
Bahamas) Transport
Places (downtown, Trafalgar Square)
Cities: Rome, London, Paris
Geographical points: the North Pole,
the South Pole, the equator
In front of the names of rivers, seas,
oceans: the Amazone, the Nile, The
Sava, the Danube, the Atlantic, The
Pacific, the Adriatic, the Baltic, The
Indian Ocean, The Black Sea, etc.
Sets of mountains: The Hymalayas,
the Rockies, The Alps, The Velebit
Mountains, The Apalacian Mountains
Exception to the rule: The Hague
(city)