Articles include indefinite articles a, an, and definite article the. This guide does not provide an exhaustive explanation of all three articles. Rather, it delineates some of the rules regarding the use of the definite article. For a more detailed usage guide, check out Articles: A Complete Grammar Guide by Grammarly.
The rule of thumb is to put a the before one or more particular members of a group that you want to address. That is, use the if the noun or noun phrase at issue is too generic and needs to be specified. Otherwise, use a or an, or don't use any article.
For example, numerous manufacturers use the term auto levelling, Snapmaker included. When you use auto levelling as a feature, or a distinctive selling point, put a the before it, as in:
The auto levelling feature of Snapmaker helps you save time.
Whereas when it is used as more of a generic term, a standard process which is part of a whole procedure, don't precede it with a the, as in:
Always do auto levelling before you print anything.
This being said, many people tend to overuse the definite article. In the following text, for instance, replacement is preceded by a the, with the unintended consequence of making it sound like Snapmaker offers a non-standard type of replacement.
If there is no silicone pad, we will send you a new linear module for the replacement.
This sentence will look a lot more natural by deleting the definite article before replacement:
If there is no silicone pad, we will send you a new linear module for replacement.
These nuances seem tricky to grasp, so in order to help you navigate the world of articles, this section outlines a few common situations where the should or shouldn't be used.
Add the before:
- Names of products, services, software and firmware, parts, tools, printing materials, and other accessories that are unique to Snapmaker. As such, say:
- the Snapmaker community instead of Snapmaker community
- the Snapmaker Artisan instead of Snapmaker Artisan
- the Snapmaker Luban instead of Snapmaker Luban
- the Snapmaker A350 User Manual instead of Snapmaker A350 User Manual
- the power module instead of power module
- the USB cable instead of USB cable
- the acrylic plate inside the material box instead of acrylic plate inside material box
- The elements in the UI which are not given a specific name by Snapmaker but have widely accepted names. As such, say:
- the side bar instead of side bar
- the drop-down menu instead of drop-down menu
- the dialog box instead of dialog box
- the window instead of window
- the page instead of page
Don't add the before:
- A stand-alone Snapmaker, as in:
- Snapmaker will not ask for your credit card PIN.
- Snapmaker is an equal-opportunity employer.
- The name of errors, such as:
- black screen
- negative temperature
- A standard or universal service or operation, such as:
- return
- refund
- replacement
- update
- The name of buttons on the printer, and keys on the keyboard, such as:
- Power
- Yes
- Enter
- Ctrl+C