6-3 Articles with Count and Uncount Nouns

The Noun Matters

To use articles correctly, you have to decide noun-by-noun. Depending on the noun and its meaning to the sentence, it can be:

The type of noun helps us know which article to use.

A count noun is a noun that can be counted. A noun that can have a number in front of it.

Some rules with articles are:

Rule	Example
You can put both a/an and the in front of a count noun.	A phone (general) = The phone (specific)
You must put an article in front of a singular count noun.	A dog, a cat, and a guitar makes a bad band
You use a plural count noun with no article if you mean all or any of that thing.	Birds are horrible pets!
You usually use a/an with a count noun the first time you say or write that noun.	Excuse me. Can I have a dollar?
You use the with count nouns the second and subsequent times you use the noun.	I saw an elephant! The elephant was very big. I was surprised how much food the elephant ate.
You use the when the listener knows what you are referring to. This could be because there is only one of that thing.	Can you pass me the bag over there?

An uncount noun is a noun that cannot be counted, so a number cannot be put in front of it. Uncount nouns will never be plural.

Uncount nouns are usually concepts, materials, or substances.

They are often followed by phrases.

Here are some rules for using the correct article with uncount nouns:

Rule	Example
You cannot say a/an with an uncount noun.	A rain? A homework? An advice?
You use an uncount noun with no article if you mean that thing in general.	Rain is relaxing (all rain, in general, relaxes me)
You use the with an uncount noun when you are talking about a particular example of that thing.	I sail on water (general). I sail on the water (specific)

Rule

Example

You cannot say a/an with an uncount noun.

A rain? A homework? An advice?

You use an uncount noun with no article if you mean that thing in general.

Rain is relaxing (all rain, in general, relaxes me)

You use the with an uncount noun when you are talking about a particular example of that thing.

I sail on water (general).

I sail on the water (specific)

Some nouns can be either count or uncount, depending on the context and meaning.