Articles
Articles are used as modifiers for nouns. However, some nouns do not need to be modified. In this lesson, we will learn about them.
What Are Articles?
Words that are used as modifiers for nouns to define them are called articles.
Articles are mostly necessary, but sometimes they cannot be used as modifiers, which is called a case of zero articles.
Why Do We Use Articles?
Articles are used to define particular or non-specific nouns. So, we need them to make ourselves clear. Actually, using different articles for the same noun makes the sentences mean differently.
She is
Here we mean the doctor that we mentioned before and we want to refer to what we meant.
She is
In this example, we mean her job is being a doctor like other doctors.
Types of Articles
Based on whether an article is used to define a specific noun or not, they are categorized into two groups:
Here are a few examples:
Give me
I need
Definite Article
The term 'the' is used as the definite article. It modifies nouns that are specific; by specific, we do not mean that the noun is a proper noun, we mean it is known by the listener and the speaker.
Usually, we use the definite article when we mentioned the noun in advance. Here are the examples:
I saw a man at the station;
Indefinite Article
Indefinite articles are used with non-specific nouns. Usually, we use indefinite articles to refer to a noun randomly or for the first time. Indefinite articles in English are 'a' and 'an.' For example:
I need to buy
What Is the Difference between 'an' and 'a'?
With nouns that start with a vowel sound, we have to use the indefinite article 'an.' if the sound of the first letter of the following noun is not a vowel, then you can use the indefinite article 'a.' Here are the examples:
I cannot find
In this example, 'e' has a vowel sound and the sound is /e/.
The sound of the consonant letter is /b/ and it is not a vowel, so we use the indefinite article 'a.'
the difference between 'an' and 'the'
Tip!
With abbreviations and acronyms that are spelled out, or pronounced with a vowel sound in the beginning you should use the indefinite article 'an'; even if the letter is a consonant letter. Check out the examples:
I got
How to Use Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles are only used with singular countable nouns. Indefinite articles cannot be used with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns. Here are the examples:
✗ They are
✗ I had
✓ I have
How to Use Definite Articles?
The definite article 'the' can be used with singular or plural countable nouns and even we can use it with uncountable nouns. Here are the examples:
✓
✓
✓
Zero Article
Sometimes there is no need to use an article to modify the noun. In this case, we are actually using a zero article. Check out the examples to get to know them better:
the Marcus' or 'a Marcus')
a science' or 'the science')
When To Use Zero Article
Here are the most common cases in which we do not use an article:
- languages, meals, academic subjects
- games and sport, names
- places, days, months
Position in a Noun Phrase
To make a correct noun phrase there is special word order in English. Remember, sometimes to be able to use some determiners, we are not allowed to use articles, therefore, we use zero articles.
Notice that zero articles are used with possessive and demonstrative determiners. The word order is:
- quantifier + article + number + adjective + head noun
Here are a few examples:
In this example, the word order is quantifier + article + adjective + the head noun.
Give me
Here, the word order is zero article + possessive determiner + head noun.
Review
Based on whether an article defines a specific noun or not, they are categorized into two groups, as follows.
- definite article (the)
- indefinite article (a,an)
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