Match the rules with the sentences from 1. We use no article when we talk about things in general 3 b We use the to talk about a specific person or thing or previously mentioned person or thing We use alan to talk about a singular,countable person or thing for the first time, or to say that the person or thing is one of a number of people or things. d We use the to talk about someone or something that is unique We use alan to say what somebody's profession is.