Articles
A/an, the
What is English has two articles: the and
a/an. The is used to refer to
specific or particular nouns;
an a/an is used to modify non-
specific or non-particular nouns.
article? We call the the definite
article and a/an the
indefinite article.
For example:
"Let's read the book," (specific book)
"Let's read a book," (any book)
The is used to refer to a specific or particular
member of a group.
I just saw the most popular movie of
the year."
A/an is used to refer to a non-specific or non-
particular member of the group.
- "I would like to go see a movie."
"My daughter really wants
A/ an a dog for Christmas."
This refers to any dog.
"A" and "an" signal
that the noun modified
is indefinite, referring
to any member of a "Somebody call a policeman!"
group. This refers to
any policeman.
Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite
articles are used to indicate membership in a group:
I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large
group known as teachers.)
Brian is an Irishman. (Brian is a member of
the people known as Irish.)
Seiko is a practicing Buddhist. (Seiko is a
member of the group of people known as
Buddhists.)
REMEMBER, USING
A OR AN DEPENDS ON THE
SOUND THAT BEGINS THE
NEXT WORD. SO...
a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a
bike; a zoo; a dog
an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an
egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
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a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user
(sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so
'a' is used); a university; a unicycle
an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour
a + nouns starting with a pronounced "h": a horse
Introductory Composition at Purdue (ICaP)
handles first-year writing at the University.
Therefore, an ICaP memo generally discusses
issues concerning English 106 instructors.
An MSDS (material safety data sheet) was used
to record the data. An SPCC plan (Spill Prevention
Control and Countermeasures plan) will help us
prepare for the worst.
DEFINITE ARTICLE:
THE
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the
noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that
it refers to a particular member of a group.
"The dog that bit me ran away."
"I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!"
When we talk about a particular group of things, we use the.
We went to the zoo and saw the kangaroos.
(These are the particular kangaroos in that zoo – not
kangaroos in general.)
GEOGRAPHICAL USE OF THE
Do not use the before:
names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, the
Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United States
names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miami
names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St.
names of lakes and bays: Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie except with a group of lakes like
the Great Lakes
names of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains
like the Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn
names of continents (Asia, Europe)
names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains like the
Aleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary Islands
Do use the before:
names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the
Pacific
points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole
geographical areas: the Middle East, the West
deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the
Sahara, the Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the
Iberian Peninsula
"I saw an elephant at
the zoo."
"I saw the elephant at
the zoo."
OMISSION OF
ARTICLES
Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English,
Spanish, Russian (unless you are referring to the population
of the nation: "The Spanish are known for their warm
hospitality.")
Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball
Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology,
history, computer science
