Articles and proper nouns
Do not use articles with most singular proper nouns. Use the with most plural proper nouns.
Since singular proper nouns are already specific, they typically do not need an article: Prime Minister Cameron, Jamaica, Lake Huron, Mount Etna.
There are, however, many exceptions. In most cases, if the proper noun consists of a common noun with modifiers (adjectives or an of phrase), use the with the proper noun.
The is used with most plural proper nouns: the McGregors, the Bahamas, the Finger Lakes, the United States.
Geographic names create problems because there are so many exceptions to the rules. When in doubt, consult the chart below, check a dictionary, or ask a native speaker.
Using the with geographic nouns
When to omit the
| streets, squares, parks | Ivy Street, Union Square, Denali National Park |
| cities, states, counties | Miami, New Mexico, Bee County |
| most countries, continents | Italy, China, South America, Africa |
| bays, single lakes | Tampa Bay, Lake Geneva |
| single mountains, islands | Mount Everest, Crete |
When to use the
| country names with of phrase | the United States (of America), the People’s Republic of China |
| large regions, deserts | the East Coast, the Sahara |
| peninsulas | the Baja Peninsula, the Sinai Peninsula |
| oceans, seas, gulfs | the Pacific Ocean, the Dead Sea, the Persian Gulf |
| canals and rivers | the Panama Canal, the Amazon |
| mountain ranges | the Rocky Mountains, the Alps |
| groups of islands | the Solomon Islands |