Nouns: Known and Unknown

Sometimes when we use a noun, we're talking about a specific thing, or a specific set of things. For example, I can talk about one particular book that I have in my mind. I can also talk about a particular set of books. When I do this, I'm not talking about all books. On the other hand, sometimes we want to use a noun in general. I can talk about all the books in the world, about books in general.

Today, let's talk about how to use 'a/an' and 'the' with a particular noun or a particular group of nouns.

When I am thinking of a specific thing or a specific group of things, I use 'the' when I think the person listening or reading will know (or will be able to work out) which thing or person I'm talking about.

On the other hand, I use 'a/an' (for singular countable nouns) or 'no article' (for plural and uncountable nouns) when I think the listener or reader won't know which thing or person I mean.

The important point is whether the person who is listening knows what the speaker is thinking of, or will be able to work it out. We know that the person who is speaking knows which thing(s) he or she means. For example:
 

• I bought a blue sweater yesterday [the speaker knows which sweater, but the listener doesn't, so we use a].
• We went to a lovely café [the speaker knows which one but the listener doesn't, so we use a].

Remember:

• If the listener knows which one(s), we use the (with any kind of noun).
• If the listener doesn't know which one(s) we use a/an with singular countable nouns and we use 'no article' with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.

Let's review!

1. When we use a noun, sometimes we're talking about a ___________ thing. Other times we're talking in general.
2. When I am thinking of a specific thing or a specific group of things, I use 'the' when I think the person listening or reading will __________ which thing or person I'm talking about.
3. When I am thinking of a specific thing or a specific group of things, I use 'a/an' or 'no article' when I think the person listening or reading will __________ which thing or person I'm talking about.
4. When we think the person doesn't know what we're talking about we use 'a/an' for ___________ nouns.
5. When we think the person doesn't know what we're talking about we use 'no article' for ___________ nouns.