Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021
Use no article with most singular proper nouns; use the with most plural proper nouns
Articles (a, an, the)
Multilingual Writers and ESL Topics
Since singular proper nouns are already specific, they typically do not need an article: Chancellor Merkel, Jamaica, Lake Huron, Mount Etna.
There are, however, many exceptions. In most cases, if the proper noun consists of a common noun with modifiers (adjectives or an of phrase), use the with the proper noun.
The is used with most plural proper nouns: the McGregors, the Bahamas, the Finger Lakes, the United States.
Geographic names create problems because there are so many exceptions to the rules. When in doubt, consult the chart below, check a dictionary, or ask a native speaker.
USING THE WITH GEOGRAPHIC NOUNS
When to omit the
streets, squares, parks cities, states, counties most countries, continents bays, single lakes single mountains, islands |
Ivy Street, Union Square, Denali National Park Miami, New Mexico, Bee County Italy, Nigeria, China, South America, Africa Tampa Bay, Lake Geneva Mount Everest, Crete |
When to use the
country names with of phrase large regions, deserts peninsulas oceans, seas, gulfs canals and rivers mountain ranges groups of islands |
the United States (of America), the People’s Republic of China the East Coast, the Sahara the Baja Peninsula, the Sinai Peninsula the Pacific Ocean, the Dead Sea, the Persian Gulf the Panama Canal, the Amazon the Rocky Mountains, the Alps the Solomon Islands |
EXERCISE 29-1
Edit the following sentences for proper use of articles and nouns. If a sentence is correct, write “correct” after it. Answers appear in the back of the book.
a. Doing volunteer work often brings a satisfaction.
b. Although Gemma now lives on the West Coast, she grew up in the Cape Cod.
c. Melina likes to drink her coffees with lots of cream.
d. Recovering from abdominal surgery requires patience.
e. I completed the my homework assignment quickly.