Articles are divided into definite and indefinite:
- Definite: the → It is used to refer to specific nouns. By nature superlatives are unique and specific, so they use the definite article. Some comparatives combos use the definite article.
The dog in that house. (= a specific dog)
The book is on the table. (= a specific book on a specific table)
This is the best book that I have read. (= superlative)
The bigger the house, the more expensive it is. (= comparative)
- Indefinite: a, an → It is used to refer to unspecific nouns and can come between a comparative and a countable noun. The sound at the beginning of the noun will define which one to use. The article an is used for nouns that the sound at the beginning is a vowel (a, e, i, o, u, y [sometimes is considered vowel], and silent consonants followed by a vowel). The article a is used for nouns that the sound at the beginning is a consonant.
A dog is an animal. (= unspecific dog, consonant; unspecific animal, vowel)
He is an honest man. (= unspecific man, silent consonant)
It is a car. (= unspecific car, consonant)
I am looking for a better job. (= comparative; countable noun: job)ATTENTION: Don't use an indefinite article with an uncountable noun: I am looking for better work.
When to use articles:
1) You must use an article with singular countable nouns.
I eat an egg every day.
I want to eat a banana.
The dog is barking.
The sun is a star.2) Use a definite article with uncountable nouns
The cheese in the refrigerator is really good.3) Do not use an indefinite article for plural countable nouns, instead use a numeral or a determiner
My neighbor has a cat. (singular) → My neighbor has many cats. (plural)
I am teaching a child. (singular) → I am teaching some children. (plural)
I read a book last month. (singular) → I read two books last month. (plural)4) Use the definite article with plural or singular nouns
The dog that lives beside my house barks a lot.
The dogs that live beside my house bark a lot.5) Use an indefinite article when you introduce someone or something. If you keep talking about it, the noun will be specific, so use the definite article.
When I was traveling in Italy, I stayed in a really nice hotel. Sometimes I had dinner at the hotel because their restaurant was great.6) Use the definite article for specific things
Mary was looking for a job. (= unspecific job)→ Did Mary get the job that she applied for? (= specific job that she had applied for)
Have you ever cleaned a car? (unspecific car) → Have you cleaned the car? (= his car)7) In speaking, usually people use an indefinite article when the quantity is one
I paid a dollar for this candy. (= I paid one dollar for this candy.)8) Use the definite article when there is just one of something
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System.
I am going to travel at the end of this month.
The sky is astonishing today. The stars are really bright.9) Use the definite article before the word "same"
Did you buy this shirt at the same place that I bought mine?10) Do not use the definite article before the combination of noun and number
Do you have these shoes in size 7? (NOT Do you have these shoes in the size 7?)
My flight departs at gate 3. (NOT My flight departs at the gate 3.)
He is at room 170. (NOT He is at the room 170.)11) Use the definite article + adjective (without a noun) to talk about a group of people (the young, the elderly, the blind, the disabled, the rich, the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, etc)
The candidate has promised to help the unemployed. (= unemployed people)
Guide dogs help the blind. (= blind people)ATTENTION: These expressions are always plural in meaning, but you do not use the adjective in plural form: "the young", NOT "the youngs". If you want to say something about an individual person, you have to specify the noun: "a young person", NOT "a young"; "a poor woman", NOT "a poor".
12) Don't use an article with names of people, and most names of places
John is a nice guy. (NOT The John is a nice guy.)
Brazil is a big country. (NOT The Brazil is a big country.)ATTENTION: We use the in names with Republic, Kingdom, States, Emirates, Islands. (The official language in the United States is English.)
13) Don't use an article with Mr/Ms/Doctor etc. + a name
Doctor Marisa is a good professional. (NOT The doctor Marisa is a good professional.)14) Use the definite article with plural names of people or place
The Johnsons' house is big. (= the Johnsons family)15) Try to create a which question about a noun to identify if a noun is definitive. Use the in this case.
The population of Brazil has started a protest against the corruption of their government. (The population of which country has started a protest against the corruption of their government? The population of Brazil, so use a definite article.)16) You must use the definite article with superlatives (the best, the most interesting, etc)
This is the best pizza I have had.17) You can use an article with comparatives (better, more interesting, etc)
The bigger the house, the more expensive it is.
I am looking for a better job.
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