Articles and Plural Countable Nouns

To read the introductory units on articles, click here. 
To read Articles and Countable Nouns, click here.

How Do You Know Which Article to Use?

Plural Countable Nouns: the or no article?

The plural form of a countable noun can be introduced by the article* the or no article (empty placeholder).

* also called a noun determiner

no article (empty placeholder)

Use no article in front of a plural count noun when:

  • the person whom you are speaking or writing to does not know exactly which items you are referring to, or when the reference is non-specific.

Here are some examples (noun phrases are underlined):

  • In Russia, I had many friends.

  • People constantly make new discoveries that change lives.

the

Use the article the before a plural count noun when:

  1. the person to whom you are speaking or writing knows and understands exactly what or whom you are referring to, or the noun phrase specifies which group it references

Here are several examples:

  • There are sculptures everywhere, decorating the college campus.  Many of the sculptures are abstract and expressive.   (Note:  In this example, note that at first no noun determiner is used with the noun sculptures, and then in the second instance the noun determiner the is used.)

  • Let me listen to the sounds of the forest. (Note:  This is a reference to the specific sounds of the forest where they are cross-country skiing, not to sounds in general.)

  • The people in my village were mostly [ ] farmers.

Special Cases in the use of the before a Plural Noun

Use the article the before a proper noun (i.e. the name of a specific person, place or thing) if that noun is plural.

  • the United States       the Bahamas

  • the USSR (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

Editing Practice - Unit Review

The following sentences are from ESL students' writing. They cover everything we have learned so far in our articles unit.  Find and correct the problems(s) in the use of articles in each sentence. Rewrite each sentence.

1.  He is very impatient person.

2.  This is wonderful painting.

3.  We used to live in Macau and were educated in Chinese school.

4.  For a long time, she could not find good job.

5.  This tour took us to Statue of Liberty.

6.  This was last time I ever saw those friends; soon each of us would go his own way.

7.  This chapter introduces Finch family and all people of the Macomb County.

Next...  Articles and Noncountable Nouns

Our next lesson is Articles and Noncountable Nouns.

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