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With plural or non-count nouns, you can either use the or not use any article. It depends on what you are describing. You never use a or an. |
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Use the with plural and non-count nouns when referring to particular things, people, or activities.
- Example: Lack of education is one of the main causes of poverty.
(The writer is referring to a particular group of causes of poverty – the main causes.)
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Use the with plural and non-count nouns when the reader already knows what you are referring to.
- Example: In the research that I discussed earlier in this paper, the authors argue that there are many factors that lead to obesity
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Do not use the if you are referring to a group of people or things in general.
- Incorrect: The scientists believe that increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are responsible for global warming.
- Corrected: Scientists believe that increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are responsible for global warming.
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Do not use the if you are referring to a thing, activity, or idea in general.
- Incorrect: The education is important for getting a good job.
- Corrected: Education is important for getting a good job.
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Do not use the with most countries, states, cities, streets, and names of languages. Some exceptions are countries with a countable noun in their name.
- Example: Students in South Korea, Finland, and the Czech Republic scored higher in math tests than eighth graders in the United States. (Republic and States are countable nouns.)
- Example: More than half of the residents of New York City speak a language other than English at home.
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