1. Indefinite articles a or an are not used with proper nouns.
2. The definite article the is used only in certain places.

Ahmed Ali
David Wang
The Wangs

Use the with the names of seas, rivers, oceans, deserts, or other landmarks:

the Atlantic Ocean
the International Dateline
the Black Sea
the Mohabi Desert

Use the with the names of plural mountains, lakes, and islands but not with singular names:

Mount St. Helens
Lake Michigan
the Hawaiian Islands
the Rocky Mountains

Do not use the with the names of continents, countries, states, provinces, or cities. Use the, however, with the name of a country if it is plural, if it contains the word united or union, or if you use an official name that includes an of phrase:

the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China
the country of Spain, the state of Minnesota, the city of Tokyo
China, Europe, Asia, Mexico
the Philipines, the United States, the United Kingdom

Do not use the with the names of streets, parks, or squares.

Rodeo Drive
Central Park
Berkeley Square

Do not use the with the name of a college or university unless it contains an of phrase:

National College
the University of Minnesota

Do not use the with the name of a company unless the name includes the word association, company, corporation or foundation:

Honeywell
the 3M Company
Honda
the Toyota Company
the McKnight Foundation
the Eaton Corporation
Productivity Inc.

Use the with the names of most buildings, structures, or bridges, but not if the name includes the word hall:

the Hilton Hotel
the Statue of Liberty
Lind Hall
the Golden Gate Bridge

Continue to Other Troublesome Articles.

Copyright © 1995-2008, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman Legal and Privacy Terms