A singular countable noun normally has an article or other determiner with it. We can say a cat, the cat, my cat, this cat, any cat, either cat or every cat, but not just cat. (There are one or two exceptions
Plural and uncountable nouns can be used without an article or determiner, or with the. They cannot be used with a (because it means 'one'.)

	a/an	the	no article
singular countable cat	j a cat	the cat	LJB
plural countable cats	' i	the cats	cats
uncountable water		the water	water

t> See diagram overleaf
Which article do you use with a noun 'X'?

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Enough beer is poured every Saturday across America to fill the Orange Bowl.      .. More >>