Articles and Proper Nouns

In general, do not use an article with a proper noun unless the noun contains a prepositional phrase.

the MIT, the America

MIT, America

United States of America

the United States of America

However, there are special cases to take note of.

You should use the definite article with a proper noun that includes or refers to geographical terms such as river, ocean, bridge, region, or building:

Charles River, Atlantic Ocean, Harvard Bridge, Northeast, Computer Museum

the Charles River, the Atlantic Ocean, the Harvard Bridge, the Northeast, the Computer Museum

You should use the definite article with plural lakes, mountains, and islands:

Galapagos Islands, Great Lakes, Rocky Mountains

the Galapagos Islands, the Great Lakes, the Rocky Mountains

the Long Island, the Lake Superior, the Mount Washington

Long Island, Lake Superior, Mount Washington

If you are unsure whether you should use an article with a particular proper noun, check the noun in a specialized dictionary.

## Articles and Proper Nouns ##