Articles Checklist

1. Underline all the nouns in your writing.

2. If you have no article before the noun, is it

a. a noncount noun?
b. a plural count noun?
c. a proper noun?

3. Draw boxes around the nouns with the article the.

4. If you have the article the + noun, does this refer to someone or something that is
specified by
a. the context (including common shared knowledge)?
b. previous mention?

5. Circle the nouns with the article a

6. If you have the article a + noun, does this refer to someone or something that is
a. is not specified
b. being mentioned for the first time?
c. is being classified? (e.g., This piece of equipment is a Bunsen burner.)

Speaker Knows Speaker Doesn’t Know

Listener Knows Definite Article Indefinite Articles

Please pass the salt. I hear you bought a new

car.
Please give me the marker.
You said you had some
Have you seen the keys? news for me.

Mary tells you secrets that

she never tells me.
Listener Doesn’t Know Indefinite Articles Indefinite Articles

I bought a new dress today. Have a wonderful vacation!

I had some cookies for Let’s get some pasta for

lunch. dinner.

There are students in my We’re supposed to bring

class who are always late. dessert to the party.