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A noun or noun phrase is specific (or definite) when the speaker and listener both know which specific person, place, or thing is being talked about. Use the definite article, the, with singular and plural count and non-count nouns that are specific for you and your listener.
The milk you spilled is all over the rug in the living room.
Sean went to the dentist.
The land developers set an enormous fire. The fire burned out of control.
A noun is also specific when it represents something that is uniquethere is only one.
They say that there is a hole in the ozone layer.
The president needs to do something.
Certain adjectives can make a noun represent something unique. Some examples of such adjectives are right, wrong, first, only, and the superlative forms of adjectives.
The best solution is to talk.
Sometimes it's the only solution.
A noun or noun phrase can be made specific by context.
A: Who are you?
B: I'm the doctor.
(A is a patient in a hospital. She has just awakened after surgery.)
The definite article, the, is used with the names of some countries, for example those that are plural or include a "political" word such as republic, kingdom, union, or empire.
There is a great interest in the environment in the United Kingdom.
The names of some regions are preceded by the.
Camels are native to the Middle East.
Many geographical features have the definite article, the, as part of their name. This is a kind of specifying.
The Pacific (Ocean) is the world's largest body of water.
The Rocky Mountains run through the United States and Canada.
The names of specific airplanes, ships, and hotels often use the: the Concorde, the Titanic, the Plaza.
The indefinite article, a/an, can only be used with singular count nouns.
a cat BUT NOT a rice
A noun is often indefinite the first time a speaker mentions it. It is usually definite after the first mention.
Should a petroleum company be allowed to drill for oil on an unspoiled beach? The beach might be ruined.
Use the indefinite article, a / an, with indefinite singular count nouns.
It is cruel and unfair to harm or displace a species.
Use no article (zero article) with plural nonspecific count nouns and nonspecific non-count nouns.
Environmentalists are against development.
Siberian tigers are becoming endangered.
Use zero article before the names of people or the designations Miss, Ms., Mrs., or Mr. or with professional titles such as Dr. or Professor.
Sally Trezona negotiated with Tom Taylor.
Ms. Magenheim called at ten o'clock.
A noun is used generically when it represents all members of a class of persons, places, or things. Use the, a/an, or zero article with generic nouns to generalize, classify, or define. Generic nouns can be singular or plural count nouns or non-count nouns.
Look at these examples of generalization, classification, and definition with generic nouns.
Teachers are devoted to their profession. (generalization)
A monkey is a primate. (classification)
A car is a four-wheeled vehicle. (definition)
Note that the is used with some singular generic count nouns. Singular generic count nouns using the fall into three main categories: inventions, musical instruments, and animal species.
The wheel is one of humankind's most important inventions.
Marjorie plays the violin.
The Siberian tiger is endangered.
Note the four ways of classifying or defining with generic count nouns.
indefinite article singular count noun
An orangutan is a primate.
zero article plural count noun
Orangutans are primates.
definite article singular count noun
The orangutan is a primate.
definite article plural count noun
The orangutans are primates.
These four patterns are approximately the same in meaning when used to classify or define something.
Be careful! In statements where you are not classifying or defining with a generic noun, you may not use a/an in front of the noun. Study the following examples.
They worked to protect the elephant.
They worked to protect the elephants.
They worked to protect elephants. NOT They worked to protect an elephant.
Remember that no article is used with generic non-count nouns.
Carbon is an element.
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