Common Article Errors

Proper nouns (countries) do not take articles unless part of a structure like 'The United States'.

'M.Sc.' is 'em-es-see', vowel sound.

Specific material usage.

'Idea' starts with a vowel sound.

'S.D.O.' is pronounced 'es-dee-o', vowel sound.

Names of holy books take 'the'.

'Umbrella' starts with a vowel sound.

'The school' refers to the specific institution attended.

'European' starts with a consonant sound.

'The' is used because it refers to the honesty of that specific boy.

'SOS' is 'es-o-es', vowel sound.

Unique planetary bodies take 'the'.

'Hour' starts with a vowel sound.

General material noun.

'Union' starts with a consonant sound ('y').

'The' is required because it refers to a specific water supply.

'Heir' starts with a vowel sound (h is silent).

'Man' used in the general sense of humanity does not take an article.

Names of sports do not take articles.