1. Articles
Bryan Lopez

2. Articles:
A and The

3. A and An are called indefinite articles.
They are used with singular count nouns when the thing is introduced for the first time.

4. The is called a definite article.
It is used with all nouns when the speaker and listener know the thing already.

5. Other Rules - Indefinite Articles: A and The

6. The indefinite article is used with jobs.

7. Examples
John is a teacher.
She is a sales person.

8. Some expressions of quantity.

9. What + A + Singular Count Noun / What + Plural Count Noun.

10. Other Rules - Definite Article: The

11. The definite article is used with: oceans, seas, rivers, hotels, theatres, museums, newspapers, mountain ranges.

12. Examples
The Red Sea
The Fraser River
The Pacific Ocean
The Ritz Hotel
The Vancouver Sun
The New York Times
The Rocky Mountains

13. If there is only one of something.

14. Examples
the sun
the King
the Government
the Internet
the door in our classroom

15. With superlative adjectives.

16. Examples
the most crowded city
the biggest park
the hottest country
the easiest language

17. No Article

18. There is no article when talking about things in general.

19. Examples
She loves clothes.
I hate tomatoes.
Milk is healthy.

20. Before countries, cities, streets, languages, breakfast, lunch, dinner, airports, stations, and mountains.

21. Examples
Canada is a big country.
French is a beautiful language.
Lunch was delicious today.

22. Before some places and with some forms of transportation.

23. Examples
at home
at school / to school
at university / to university
at work / to work
in bed / to bed
by bus, train, car, plane

24. Sentences
He is at home today because he’s sick.
I didn’t go to school yesterday.
What time did you go to bed last night?
He always comes to school by bus.

25. What + Uncount Noun.

26. Examples
What beautiful weather!
What strange music!
What good information!