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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?
Articles are a type of determiner used to introduce and modify nouns in a sentence. They are small words that come before a noun and provide information about it.
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
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.
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
I need
Definite Article
The definite article 'the' is used to modify nouns that are specific; by specific, we do not mean that the noun is a proper noun, we mean it is known to the listener and the speaker.
Usually, we use the definite article when the noun has already been mentioned and introduced. Here are some examples:
I saw a man at the station;
How to Use the Definite Article?
The definite article 'the' can be used with both singular or plural countable nouns and even with uncountable nouns. For example:
✓
✓
✓
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:
I need to buy
'A' vs. 'An'
With nouns that start with a vowel sound, we have to use the indefinite article 'an'. However, if the sound of the initial letter of the following noun is not a vowel, the indefinite article 'a' is used. 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.'
definite and indefinite articles
Tip!
With 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
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
✗ I had
✓ I have
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:
the Marcus' or 'a Marcus')
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:
- languages
- games and sport
- places
- days and months
- names of people
- academic subjects
- meals
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, the use of certain determiners may exclude the use of articles, resulting in the use of 'zero articles'. For example, possessive and demonstrative determiners are used without articles. The word order to be followed 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 possessive determiner + head noun with zero article.
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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