When to Use 'A,' 'An,' or 'The'

To use A, AN, and THE properly, you must know whether a noun is a Count or Non-Count Noun. (A count noun is something that can be counted: one book, two books, three books. A non-count noun is something that cannot be counted: milk, flour, freedom, justice).

Here are some of the general and specific rules about using A, AN, and THE. Please note that there are several exceptions and more complicated situations than this guide can cover.

General Rules

• Use “a” or “an” with a singular-count noun when you mean “one of many,” “any,” or “in general.”
• Bob is a student (one of many students).
• I like a good movie (one of many movies).
• Use “the” with any noun when the meaning is specific; for example, when the noun names the only one (or one) of a kind.
• Adam was the first man (the only “first man”).
• New York is the largest city in the United States (only one city can be “the largest”).
• We live on the earth (the only Earth we know).
• Have you heard the news (specific news)?
• Don’t use “a,” “an,” or “the” with a non-count noun when you mean “any,” “in general.”
• We believe in love (in general).
• He gave me information (not specific).

More specific rules and examples