Referring to Objects
Articles - Determiners
'A' is an indefinite article used with nouns or adjectives beginning with a consonant (b, d, z, v, t, etc.).
Bukowski wrote for a publication in San Francisco.
They work at a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization in New England.
An
'An' is an indefinite article used with nouns or adjectives beginning with a vowel (a,e, i, o, u).
An environmental canvasser is required to gather a certain amount of donations in order to reach quota.
The questionnaire was aimed at an educated demographic.
The
'The' is a definite article used with nouns or adjectives beginning with vowels or consonants.
The car over there is fast.
The teacher is very good, isn't he?
A, An - Usage
Use "a or an" when you introduce an object to a discussion. Remember that your speakers are not familiar with which object you are speaking about. However, the next time you repeat that object use "the".
They work at a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization in New England.
The charity gives food to the occupants of a tent city in L.A.
An environmental canvasser is required to gather a certain amount of donations in order to reach quota.
The - Usage
Use definite articles with specific objects that are recognizeed by both the speaker and the audience.
The World Bank interacts with thousands of Civil Society Organizations.
The report on racism documented that profiling was prevalent.
Definite articles are not used with countries, states, counties or provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a collection of states such as "The United States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.
Definite articles are used with specific bodies of water, oceans and seas.
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean.
Articles are not used when speaking about things in general. When speaking in general, use the plural form for count nouns, and the singular with non count nouns.
This regulatory agency encourages health.
We research airplanes and aviation safety.
Articles are not used when speaking about meals, places, or transport.
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.