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In this lesson, learn about the articles "a," "an," and "the," which are used before nouns to show whether something is specific or general. Simple explanations and easy examples to understand their use.
What Are Articles?
Articles are a type of determiner used to introduce and modify nouns in a sentence. They can show definiteness/indefiniteness as well as singularity/plurality of the noun.
Why Do We Use Articles?
Articles are used to specify or indicate whether a noun is specific or nonspecific in a sentence. They are essential for clear communication, as using different articles for the same noun can alter the meaning of a sentence. Compare the following examples:
She is the doctor.
Here we mean the doctor that we mentioned before and we want to refer to what we meant.
She is a doctor.
In this example, we mean she practices medicine as a profession.
Articles: Types
Articles can be categorized into two groups based on whether they are used to refer to a specific or general noun:
Here are a few examples:
Give me the book.
definite article
I need a book to help me learn about quantum physics.
indefinite article
Definite Article
The definite article 'the' is used to modify nouns that are specific. By specific, we do not mean that it must be a proper noun; rather, we mean it is clear to both the listener and the speaker what the noun refers to.
Usually, we use the definite article when the noun has already been mentioned and introduced. Here are some examples:
The butter was melting in the oven.
I saw a man at the station; the man was wearing a mask.
How to Use the Definite Article?
The definite article 'the' can be used with both singular and plural countable nouns as well as with uncountable nouns. For example:
✓ The old man is standing at the corner.
✓ The chairs were being fixed.
✓ The bread was well-baked.
Indefinite Article
Indefinite articles are used with non-specific nouns. Usually, we use indefinite articles to refer to a noun for the first time. Indefinite articles in English are 'a' and 'an'. For example:
An apple fell from the tree.
I need to buy a new car.
'A' vs. 'An'
With nouns that start with a vowel sound, we have to use the indefinite article 'an'. However, if the initial sound of the following word is not a vowel, the indefinite article 'a' is used. Here are the examples:
I cannot find an envelope for the letter.
In this example, 'e' represents a vowel sound which is /e/.
A baby was left alone at the central park.
The sound of the consonant letter is /b/ which is not a vowel, so we use the indefinite article 'a.'
Tip!
Sometimes, the pronunciation of words might be different from their spelling. Remember to focus on the initial sound rather than the letter. For example, in abbreviations and acronyms that are spelled out or pronounced with a vowel sound in the beginning, the indefinite article 'an' is used; even if the letter is a consonant. Check out the examples:
I got an MBA from the best university ever.
Here, the letter 'm' is pronounced as /em/ which starts with a vowel, so the article 'an' is required.
He arrive an hour late.
Here, although the letter 'h' does not typically represent a vowel, it is not pronounced and the word is read as /aʊər/ which starts with a vowel.
How to Use Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles are only used with singular countable nouns. They cannot be used with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns. Here are some examples:
✗ They are a books.
✗ I had a honey for breakfast.
✓ I have an idea.
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:
Marcus is too kind. (Not 'the Marcus' or 'a Marcus')
Science is my favorite field. (Not 'a science' or 'the science')
When To Use Zero Article
Here are the most common groups of nouns which do not need an article before them:
uncountable nouns (when used in the general sense)
plural countable nouns (when used in the general sense)
proper nouns (unless definite article is part of the name itself, e.g. The White House)
Here are some examples:
I don't drink coffee.
'Coffee' is an uncountable noun used in a geneal sense, so it does not need an article.
The coffee got cold.
Here, a specific cup of coffee is intended, so the definite article is needed.
Cats are curious animals.
Here, 'cats' is a plural countable noun used to refer to cats as a general species of animals.
They live in Paris.
'Paris" is a proper noun and does not need an article.
Position in a Noun Phrase
To make a correct noun phrase, a special word order must be followed. It's important to remember that in some cases, use of certain determiners may exclude the use of articles, resulting in a case of zero article. For example, possessive and demonstrative determiners are used without articles. The word order to be followed is:
(pre-determiner) + article + number + adjective + head noun
Here are a few examples:
All the bad habits that I have are because of you.
In this example, the word order is predeterminer + article + adjective + head noun.
Give me my delicious food.
Here, the word order is possessive determiner + adjective + head noun with zero article.
Review
Articles are categorized into two groups based on whether they define a noun as specific or show that it is an unspecified entity.
definite article (the)
indefinite article (a/an)
Quiz:
Choose the sentence with correct article-noun combinations.
He received an FBI badge for a honorable service.
She poured the water into a glass.
We saw an UFO above the lake last night.
They serve an delicious the cake at that bakery.
Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the zero article?
He is honest person who values integrity.
She wants to adopt rescue dog from shelter.
The Mount Everest is in the Himalayas.
Kindness costs nothing but means everything.
Match each article type with the correct example.
Complete each sentence using the appropriate article.
I saw
elephant at the zoo.
Please close
door when you leave.
books on the table belong to Sarah.
He arrived
hour late to the interview.
cat was chasing a mouse in the alley.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
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