the (definite articles)

Rule: When noun is referred to a second time, use the definite article or replace it with a personal pronoun (er, sie, es, sie)

a/an (indefinite articles)

No plural exists! 

Rule: When a noun is mentioned for the first time, use the indefinite article.

not a, no, not any (negative indefinite articles)

Rule: Use to negate a NOUN.

not

Rule: Used to negate any other part of the sentence BUT the noun.

but (conjunction)

Rule: Used after an affirmative statement; the two ideas are compatible and can co-exist.

rather, but instead (conjunction)

Rule: Used after a negative statement and then only when a wrong idea is replace by a correct one; the two ideas presented are incompatible.

mine

(possessive article)

yours

(informal, 2nd person, possessive article)

Yours

(formal, 2nd person, singular & plural, possessive article)

his

(3rd person, possessive article)

her

(3rd person, singular & plural, possessive article)