Articles
We begin with the most important aspect of English language -
Grammar! As we get introduced to each chapter, you will realize how
interesting grammar is and also how it improves your language skills.
This chapter deals with three small words ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’ - ‘yes’
the articles. They have a unique importance in every sentence.
At the end of this chapter, we will be able to
1) use definite and indefinite articles.
2) explain examples where articles are omitted.
3) explain nouns used in general and special sense.
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Article is a word which points out at a person, thing or place spoken of.
Thus article refers to the noun.
There are two types of articles. Definite and Indefinite article. Definite
article tells us about a specific person or this while indefinite article speaks of any
person thing or place.
In some cases, as we see ahead nouns may be referred to without any article.
1.2 TYPES OF ARTICLES
The unit at first introduces rules for correct use of articles in sentences.
There are two Articles - a (or. an) and the
A or an is called the Indefinite Article, as it leaves indefinite the person or
thing spoken of as : A doctor, A school, A man, A woman - here a points out any
doctor, any school or any man or woman.
Types of Articles /
1. The is called the Definite Article, as it normally points out some
particular person or thing
As,
He saw the doctor - where the points out some particular doctor.
The indefinite article is used before singular countable nouns e.g. A book,
An orange, A girl.
The definite article is used before singular countable nouns, plural counta and
uncountable nouns, for eg. The book, the books, the milk
A or An
The choice between a and an is determined by sound before a word beginning
with a vowel sound an is used: For eg., an egg, an orange an honest man, an
hour. A and An are used with the singular number only.
1.3 USE OF THE DEFINITE ARTICLE
When we talk about a particular person or thing, or one already referred to
earlier,
When a singular noun is meant to represent a whole class for eg. The cow
is a useful animal; The rose is the sweetest of all flowers
Before some proper names :
for eg., oceans and seas: the Pacific, the black
sea rivers : the Ganga, the Nile
Before the names of certain books :
for eg., The Vedas, the Puranas, the Ramayana
Before names of things unique of their kind; as for eg., The sun, the sky,
the earth
Before a Proper noun when it is qualified by an adjective or a defining
adjectival clause : for eg., The great Caesar, The immortal Shakespeare
With Superlatives
for eg., The darkest cloud has a silver lining, This is the best
book of elementary chemistry.
With ordinals :
for eg., He was the first man to arrive, The ninth chapter of the
book is very interesting.
Before an adjective when the noun is understood, for eg., The poor is
always with us.
Before a noun to give the force of a Superlative for eg., The Verb is the
word in a sentence.
As an Adverb with Comparatives :
for eg., The more the merrier.
Uncountable nouns take the when used in a particular sense (especially
when qualified by an adjective of adjectival phrase of clause) for eg.,
Would you pass me the sugar! The wisdom of Solomon is great
1.4 USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE
In its original numerical sense of one:
for eg., Twelve inches make a foot. Not a word was said
In a vague sense of a certain
for eg., One evening a beggar came to my door
In the sense of any, to single out an individual as the representative of a
class:
for eg., A pupil should obey his teacher A cow is a useful animal
To make a common noun of a proper noun:
for eg., A Daniel come to judgement! (A Daniel - a very wise man)
1.5 OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE
Before names of substances, proper and abstract nouns (uncountable
nouns) used in a general sense: for eg., Sugar is bad for your teeth.
Gold is a precious metal
Delhi is the capital of India
Wisdom is the gift of heaven
Before plural countable nouns used in a general sense:
for eg., Children like chocolates
Computers are used in many offices
Before languages
for eg., We are studying English
They speak Punjabi at home
Before predicative nouns denoting a unique position ie., a position that
is normally held at one time by one person only:
for eg., He was elected Chairman of the Board
Mr. Mathur became Principal of the School in 1995.
The given chapter thus explains the significance of articles we can
summaries the chapter in the following points:-
• ‘a’ and ‘an’ are called indefinite articles while ‘the’ is a definite article.
• Definite article point out to a particular person or a thing or place a.
• Indefinite articles points out to any person, thing or place.
• Articles are omitted in case of proper and abstract nouns and plural
countable nouns.
