ARTICLES (ENGLISH GRAMMAR)
DEFINITION: Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific.
examples:
After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good.
explanation: by using the article the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long and one specific
cup of tea that tasted good.
After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.
explanation: by using the article a, we’ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of tea would taste
good after any long day.
Types of articles: definite and indefinite.
1. Definite: the word the.
explanation: it limits the meaning of a noun to one particular thing. For example, your friend might ask, “Are
you going to the party this weekend?” The definite article tells you that your friend is referring to a specific
party that both of you know about. The definite article can be used with singular, plural or uncountable nouns.
Below are some examples of the definite article the used in context:
Please give me the hammer.
Please give me the red hammer; the blue one is too small.
Please give me the nail.
Please give me the large nail; it’s the only one strong enough to hold this painting.
Please give me the hammer and the nail.
2. Indefinite Article: - the word a when it precedes a word that begins with a consonant;
- the word an when it precedes a word that begins with a vowel.
explanation: it indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a particular thing. For example, you
might ask your friend, “Should I bring a gift to the party?” Your friend will understand that you are not asking
about a specific type of gift or a specific item. “I am going to bring an apple pie,” your friend tells you. Again,
the indefinite article indicates that she is not talking about a specific apple pie. Your friend probably doesn’t
even have any pie yet. The indefinite article only appears with singular nouns.
Please hand me a book; any book will do.
Please hand me an autobiography; any autobiography will do.
Exceptions: Choosing A or An
- using a before words that start with consonants and an before words that begin with
vowels. The first letter of the word honor, for example, is a consonant, but it’s
unpronounced. In spite of its spelling, the word honor begins with a vowel sound.
Therefore, we use an.
Example: My mother is a honest woman. INCORRECT
My mother is an honest woman. CORRECT
- when the first letter of a word is a vowel but is pronounced with a consonant sound,
use a, as in the sample sentence below:
Example: She is an United States senator. INCORRECT
She is a United States senator. CORRECT
Indefinite Articles with Uncountable Nouns
explanation: uncountable nouns are nouns that are either difficult or impossible to count. They include
intangible things (e.g., information, air), liquids (e.g., milk, wine), and things that are too large or numerous to
count (e.g., equipment, sand, wood). Because these things can’t be counted, you should never use a or an with
them because the indefinite article is only for singular nouns. They can be modified by words like some.
examples:
INCORRECT CORRECT
Please give me a water. Please give me some water.
Please give me a bottle of water.
Please give me an ice. Please give me an ice cube.
Please give me some ice.
We need a light in this room.
We need some light in this room.
Omission of Articles or Zero Article
explanation: occasionally, articles are omitted altogether before certain nouns. In these cases, the article is
implied but not actually present. This implied article is sometimes called a “zero article.” Often, the article is
omitted before nouns that refer to abstract ideas.
examples:
INCORRECT CORRECT
Let’s go out for a dinner tonight. Let’s go out for (zero article) dinner tonight.
The creativity is a valuable quality in children. (zero article) Creativity is a valuable quality in children.
I studied the French in high school for four I studied (zero article) French in high school for four
years. years.
I like to play the baseball. I like to play (zero article) baseball.
My sister was always good at the Math. My sister was always good at (zero article) Math.
