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Note: As very few proper nouns (the names of particular people, places, and institutions) are preceded by articles, the focus of this discussion refers to common nouns only.
Each time a noun is used, the decision must be made whether to use an article or not. If the choice is made to use an article, the choice of which one must be made. In making these choices, four levels or sets of criteria may be used. A summary of this process appears below.
Is the noun being used to make a generalization? If it is, no article is necessary. If it is not being used to make a generalization, the next criteria must be considered.
Is the meaning given to the noun by the writer “known” or “new” to the reader? If the meaning can reasonably be seen as “known” to the reader, use the definite article the. If the intended meaning is “new” to the reader, use an indefinite article: a, an or some. The choice of the indefinite article is made on the basis of the next two criteria.
If the “new” noun is plural, then use the indefinite article some. If the “new” noun is singular, the decision must be made as to whether it is a count or a noncount noun which leads to the final criteria.
If the singular noun is a noncount noun, use the indefinite article a or an. If the singular noun is a noncount noun, use some.
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