How do I know whether to use an article before a noun?

Answer 1

If you want to clarify you are talking about the number of a specific thing or person or a noun that everyone knows because of previous experience. Usually you have to have something in front of a noun to clarify the purpose of the noun. Otherwise the noun would be acting to modify something else. Example: my mother, a mother, the mother, his mother, all mothers, all the mothers, Mother Teresa.

Answer 2

Typically there are only two cases where an article would not be used. If your noun is a singular noun referring to a specific place such as a country, named store or city. You would also not use an article if the known refers to a category of things such as clothing.

You do use an article when referring to any other noun.