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.

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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