Articles a, an and the
Noun markers
Standard English uses noun markers to help identify the nouns that follow.
The definite articles
The, is used with specific nouns use The with one or more than one specific thing: The newspaper, the soldiers.
Rule of article
To choose an appropriate article for a noun, you MUST first determine whether the noun is - Common or proper - Count or noncount - Singular or plural - Specific or general
The indefinite articles
a and an, are used with general nouns. a and an both means "one" or "one among many" A is use before a consonant sound An is used before a vowel sound
Quantifiers
all, any, either, every, few, many, more, most, much, neither, several, some, and so on. Also known as noun markers or determiners
Articles a, an, the
are part of a category of words known as noun markers or determiners
Possessive pronoun/adjectives
my, your, his, her, its, our, their. Also known as noun markers or determiners
Other example of noun markers
numbers: one, twenty-three and so on.
Demonstrative pronoun/adjectives
this, that, these, those. Also known as noun markers or determiners
Rule of "THE"
(1) The noun has been previously mentioned A truck cut in front of our van. When THE truck skidded a few seconds later, we almost crashed into it.
Rule of "THE"
(2) A phrase or clause following the noun restricts its identity Bryce warned me that ⌃the GPS in his car was not working
Rule of "THE"
(3) A superlative adjective such as best or most intelligent makes the noun's identity specific Our petite daughter dated ⌃ the tallest boy in her class
Rule of "THE"
(4) The noun describes a unique person, or thing During an eclipse, one should not look directly at ^ the sun.
Rule of "The"
(5) the context or situation makes the noun's identity clear Please don't slam ^the door when you leave
Rule of "the"
(6) The noun is singular and refers to a scientific class or category of items (most often animals, musical instruments, and inventions) ^the tin whistle is common in traditional Irish music
Types of articles
Articles are classified as indefinite or definite.
Avoiding rule about noun markers
In most cases, do not use an article with another noun marker The Nathalie's older brother lives in Wisconsin ❌
Noun markers' examples
Possessive nouns, such as Elena's