Chapter I. The article 1 the definite and indefinite article

The shopping bags are still in the car. I’ll get them.
Where’s the bottle-opener?
The students are waiting for the lesson to start.
The washing machine is broken. We need to get another one.
The presentation is ready for you to check Mrs. Harper.
What’s the weather like in your country?
No article
It can be difficult to know when not to use an article in English, especially when you translate from your native language which has different rules for articles. Here are the main cases when we don’t use an article:

• 
  Don’t use an article with possessive adjectives. For example, “She’s my friend” and not “She’s a my friend.”
  
• 
  Don’t use an article with a general topic. For example, compare the following sentences
  

– I love music. (meaning music in general)
– I love the music you’re playing. (meaning this specific music)

• 
  Don’t put an article in front of country names except when they include ‘kingdom’, ‘states’ and ‘lands’. For example:
  

– France (without ‘the’)
– The Netherlands (with ‘the’)

Definite and Indefinite Articles (a/an/the)

An article is a type of adjective used before a noun or noun equivalent.
Using an article helps indicate whether a noun is specific or unspecific.
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Before a noun that is specific and known, the definite article (“the”) is used. Before an unspecified word, the indefinite article (“a” or “an”) is used.
Example
The book was written by reputable authors.
Example
He said that he had read a book by that author.
The first example indicates one specific book that was interesting while the second suggests that any book can be interesting.

Table of Contents

1. 
   What are Definite Articles?
   
2. 
   What are Indefinite Articles?
   
3. 
   How to Use an Article Before an Adjective?
   
4. 
   Articles with Pronouns
   
5. 
   When NOT to Use an Article