• a/an = one, non-specific, first mention: I bought a book.
• the = specific/known/unique/second mention: The book I mentioned is here.
• Ø (no article) = in general (uncountable/plural): People need water. / Books are expensive.

Mindset: Ask, “Can the listener identify the exact thing?” If yes → the. If no → a/an. If you mean things in general → Ø.

Using a vs an (sound, not spelling)

• Use an before a vowel sound: an hour, an MBA (em-bee-ay), an umbrella.
• Use a before a consonant sound: a university (you-), a one-way ticket (w-).

First vs second mention

• First mention: I saw a film yesterday.
• Second mention: The film was inspiring.

Specific vs general

• Specific: Close the window (we both know which one).
• General (uncountable/plural): Milk is healthy. / Bicycles reduce traffic.

Tip: With uncountables, add a partitive if you mean one unit: a glass of water, a piece of advice.

Unique/only one → the

• the sun, the sky, the government, the internet, the Prime Minister
• Superlatives/ordinals: the best, the first, the second chart

Generic classes

• Plural/uncountable (preferred): Doctors need training. Plastic harms oceans.
• Singular with the (formal/academic): The tiger is an endangered species.
• Singular with a (one example): A tiger is a big cat.

Places & names (common patterns)

• No article: continents, countries, cities, streets, lakes, mountains → Bangladesh, Dhaka, Lake Victoria.
• Use “the”: country names with republic/kingdom/states, plural countries, rivers/seas/oceans/deserts, groups of islands, ranges → the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Nile, the Pacific, the Sahara, the Maldives, the Himalayas.
• Buildings/institutions: go to school/prison/hospital (Ø when used for their main purpose); visit the school (as a building).

Noun + of + noun

• If the first noun is specific/defined → the: the center of the city, the top of the page.
• Set phrases may take Ø: at home, by car.

Adjectives with nouns

• The article depends on the noun, not the adjective: a difficult question, the main reason.

Countable vs uncountable quick test

• If you can say “one/two ___,” it’s countable → might need a/the.
• If not, it’s uncountable → usually Ø for general meaning (advice, information, traffic, research).

IELTS-specific guidance

Writing Task 1 (charts)

• General statements: Ø/plural → Prices increased from 2010 to 2020.
• Specific reference: the → In 2015, the price of the iPhone rose sharply.
• Categories (general): Ø → Electronics account for 30%.

Writing Task 2 (essays)

• New example: a/an → For an example, consider…
• Previously defined idea: the → Therefore, the policy should…
• General concepts: Ø → Climate change requires global cooperation.

Speaking

• Stories (first vs second mention): I met a man. The man was French.
• General opinions: Ø → People value education.

Frequent mistakes → fixes

• ❌ I need an advice. → ✅ I need advice. / a piece of advice.
• ❌ The pollution is increasing globally. (general) → ✅ Ø Pollution is increasing globally.
• ❌ The people should recycle more. (general) → ✅ People should recycle more.
• ❌ In 2019, a population of Dhaka was 20 million. → ✅ In 2019, the population of Dhaka was 20 million.
• ❌ She has the flu. (diseases usually Ø) → ✅ She has Ø flu.
• ❌ The Mount Everest is crowded. → ✅ Ø Mount Everest is crowded.
• ❌ The Nile River (both are possible, but prefer one): → ✅ The Nile / the River Nile (be consistent).

One-minute checklist

1. Is the noun specific/known/unique? → the
2. Is it one, not specific? → a/an
3. Is it plural/uncountable in general? → Ø
4. Does the next word start with a vowel sound? → an
5. Country/place rule okay? Rivers/seas/deserts/ranges → the
6. Task 1: Does the article match whether I’m general vs specific?

Mini drills (with answers)

A. Choose the correct option.

1. Dhaka has (a/Ø/the) growing metro system.
2. (A/An/The) Himalayas attract climbers worldwide.
3. I read (a/an/the) article about renewable energy.
4. (A/An/The) information is not complete.
5. (A/An/The) pollution harms oceans.

Answers: 1) a (one, non-specific) 2) The (range) 3) an (vowel sound) 4) The (specific info mentioned) 5) Ø (general concept)

B. Fix the sentence.

1. The research show a problem. → Ø Research shows a problem.
2. I need an equipment. → I need Ø equipment. / a piece of equipment.
3. The Netherlands is country in Europe. → The Netherlands is a country in Europe.
4. A Nile is the longest river in Africa. → The Nile is the longest river in Africa.

Quick reference table

Build the habit (5 minutes/day)

• Underline nouns in your paragraph.
• Mark S (specific), N (non-specific), G (general).
• Apply the / a/an / Ø accordingly.
• Read aloud; article errors “sound wrong” with practice.