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English has two types of articles: definite (the) and in (a, an).
a/an to refer to something general or any member of a group.
=> Use the to refer to something specific or a particular member of a group. When I say specific, I mean something that is known to both the speaker and the listener.
Compare these two examples from the dialogue:
1. I'm shopping for a used car. (Which used car? The speaker is not being specific).
2. The car is still available. (Both the speaker and the listener know which car. We're talking about a specific car now).
When to use the article "a" or "an":
1) Use "a/an" to refer to any member of a group. Examples:
▶ I need a bike. (Any bike - it's not important which one).
▶ If you don't want to be alone, get a dog. (Any dog - it doesn't matter which one).
2) Use "a/an" to describe a person's job, what something is used for, or what type of thing something or somebody is.
Examples:
▶ Julia is a lawyer.
▶ This car is a two-door.
▶ She's a nice person.
3) Use "a/an" to speak about the general properties of somebody or something.
Examples:
▶ An infant requires a lot of attention.
▶ An unpaid parking ticket.can lead to many problems.
▶ A beagle is a friendly dog.
4) Use "a/an" to describe a person in a general sense (if you don't know who the person is or if his or her individual identity is not important).
Examples:
▶ A woman came to the door while you were at the store. (Who? What woman? We don't know).
▶ I'm dating a lawyer.
When to use the article "the":
1) Use "the" when referring to something particular, specific, or unique.
Examples:
▶ The moon is bright tonight.
▶ The plane ride to France will take _about 8 hours.
▶ The White House is a must-see if you visit Washington, D.C.
2) Use "the" when your listener knows which person, place, or thing you're referring to.
Examples:
▶ Please open the window. (Your listener knows which window - perhaps because you 're pointing to it or because it's the only window in the room).
▶ The radio is still on. (Your listener knows which radio).
▶ What happened to the lawyer you were dating? (You're referring to a specific lawyer - someone you've already been told about).
When to use "the" and when to use no article:
1) Do not use "the" when talking about generalizations with plural or non-count nouns ( for more on non-count nouns, see Lesson 17).
Examples:
▶ I like coffee in the mornings. (NOT: the coffee)
▶ Russian is a difficult language. (NOT: the Russian)
▶ Creativity is hard to teach. (NOT: the creativity)
▶ Pandas are popular animals. (NOT: the pandas)
Note: When the noun is singular and you're talking about generalizations, you will often use "the."
Example: The panda is a much studied animal.
2) Most countries do not take "the": France, Australia, South Africa. Some countries do take "the" - especially those countries consisting of more than one word.
Examples: the United States, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic
3) States, cities, and towns do not take "the" except for "The Hague" and for a few towns in the United States.
Examples: California, Paris, Westport, New Haven
4) The names of most lakes, mountains, volcanoes, and islands do not take "the.''
Examples: Lake Superior, Mount St. Helens, Mount Everest
5) Many expressions do not require "the." They include:
▶ at night (but: in the morning, in the afternoon)
▶ at/to college, school, work
▶ Transportation: by car, by foot, by plane, by train
▶ Days of the week and months of the year used with on or in: on Monday, on Tuesday, in December
DO use "the" in these cases:
1) For points of the globe.
Examples: the South Pole, the Equator
2) For most geographical regions.
Examples: the Midwest, the South, the Middle East
3) For names of oceans, seas, canals, and rivers.
Examples: the Mississippi River, the Atlantic Ocean, the Black Sea
4) For forests, deserts, gulfs and peninsulas.
Examples: the Gulf of Mexico, the Black Forest, the Arabian Peninsula
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