Advanced Article Usage

In part 3 of the English Articles Tutorial, we finish up our list of 25 articles usage tips. Here, we take a look at some of the exceptions and more advanced topics relating to the use of A(AN) and THE.

USE 12

A(AN) can be used like the word "per".

USE 13

Use THE with nouns modified by ranking or ordering expressions such as "the first", "the second", "the third", "the next", "the last", "the previous", "the following", "the penultimate", etc.

USE 14

Use THE with superlatives such as "the best", "the biggest", "the most important", "the least interesting", etc.

Comparative forms, such as "bigger", "better", "more" can be used with both A(AN) and THE and follow general article usage. HOWEVER: THE is often used with comparative forms (bigger) rather than superlative forms (biggest) when comparing only two things. This is commonly used in phrases such as "the bigger of the two".

USE 15

Do not use articles when generalizing about uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns.

USE 16

English speakers often use THE plus a singular noun when they talk about or make generalizations about certain topics, including:

• musical instruments (the piano, the guitar, the flute)
• plants (the coconut palm, the saguaro, the baobab)
• animals (the leopard, the elephant, the lowland gorilla)
• inventions (the steam engine, the plane, the light bulb)
• currencies (the dollar, the euro, the yen)
• body parts (the head, the eye, the ear)

In general, English speakers choose to use THE in this way to give the noun a more abstract or conceptual sound. We choose to say "the piano" to make it sound more like an abstract art form. Similarly, "the dolphin" sounds more like we are referring to the species. Moreover, "the plane" has a more conceptual sound that conveys the idea of invention. But remember, you can also make generalizations about these topics using plurals as in USE 15.

USE 17

The expressions "a few" and "a little" mean "some" and express the idea that you have more than expected.

HOWEVER: The expressions "few" and "little" (without an article) mean "not much" and express the idea that you have less than expected.

BUT REMEMBER: When the words "only" or "just" are used, "a few" and "a little" also emphasize the meaning "not much".

USE 18

Generally, articles are not used with the names of illnesses or diseases.

HOWEVER: There are some illnesses which require THE.

MOREOVER: There are a few health conditions or illnesses which can be used with both A(AN) as well as THE and follow general article use. This category includes most aches, pains, growths, and attacks.

REMEMBER: This last category follows general article use. Study the examples below.

USE 19

If a direction (north, west, southeast, left, right) directly follows a verb, do not use an article with the direction.

HOWEVER: If a direction follows a preposition, you must use THE.

MOREOVER: Use THE with compass directions when referring to them as special geographic or cultural regions.

USE 20

THE can be used with plural family names to refer to the family as a group.

USE 21

THE can be combined with certain adjectives to refer to a group of people such as "the blind", "the elderly", "the rich", "the French", "the Sioux", etc.

REMEMBER: This is especially important in situations where nationalities or ethnic groups and their languages might be confused. In such situations, THE is used to specify that we are talking about the nationality or ethnic group rather than the language.

HOWEVER: When generalizing about nationalities or ethnic groups that end in "-ans", such as "Americans", "Mexicans", and "Hawaiians", THE is not usually used.

USE 22

Do not use THE with the names of most countries unless the name contains a word such as "States", "Kingdom", "Republic", "Emirates", "Union", "Coast", etc.

SIMILARLY: Don't use THE with states, provinces, and cities unless THE is specifically part of the name or contains a word such as "Territory" or "Coast".

EXCEPTIONS: THE is used with "the Netherlands" as well as with many nations which are island chains, such as "the Philippines", "the Maldives", "the Bahamas", etc. Additionally, in the past, THE was used with certain countries such as "the Sudan", "the Gambia", and "the Congo"; this usage is becoming less common.

USE 23

Use THE with the names of:

Use our Articles Flashcards to memorize the categories in Uses 23 and 24.

USE 24

Do not use an article with:

HOWEVER: There are additional exceptions to some of the above categories. For example, THE is often used in the pattern "the ... of ...".

Use our Articles Flashcards to memorize the categories in Uses 23 and 24.

USE 25

Time expressions can be especially confusing. THE is used in some time expressions such as:

HOWEVER: In other time expressions, no article is used:

MOREOVER: There are some expressions which can take both A(AN) and THE such as: