With
singular common nouns, use 'the' in cases of:
1)
Previously Mentioned
2)
Specificity
3)
Representative nouns
4)
The best/The correct
5)
Some ailments
6)
By/To a part of the body
7)
In + Times of the day or By + Time or Quantity
Omit the article (use no article) in cases of:
8)
When another determiner is used
9)
When some possessives are used
10 Before Uncountable
nouns
11 When clause markers
are used
12 Before an object
in some prepositional phrases
13) Before succeeding nouns in a series after
the article The
14)
Before Gerundials
15) Some ailments
With
plural common nouns, use 'the' in cases of:
1)
Previously mentioned
2)
Specificity
3)
After the phrases: Either of / Neither of / Each of / None of
/ All / All of / Both of / Most of/ Some of / Any of.
4)
Before certain numbers
5)
Before Few
6)
Before Great many
Except for the cases shown above, OMIT the article with plural common nouns.
With
singular proper nouns use 'a' or 'an' in cases of:
1)
Individual Members of a Group
2)
Brand Names
3)
Works of Art
4)
To show Unimportance or Unfamiliarity
5)
To show Importance
6)
To show Specificity with some adjectives
7)
Before some phrasal proper nouns
8)
Before Certain Titles
9)
Before Geographical names
10)
Before the names of Ships · Trains · etc.
11)
Before the names of Bridges · Tunnels
12)
Before the names of Hotels · Buildings
13)
Before the names of newspapers
14)
Before the names of Historical Periods
In most cases no article is needed for a singular proper noun. The situations noted above are special cases. If none of them apply, then no article is necessary. OMIT the article.
With
plural proper nouns use a/an in cases of:
1) Before Few · Before Great many
2)
Before Certain Numbers
OMIT the article in cases of:
3) Non-specific
4)
All inclusive
5)
If another determiner or possessive is used
6)
Directly preceded by a clause marker
7)
Before most numbers
If the special situations shown above do NOT apply, then use the article the.