Articles

 

The words a or an and the are called Articles.

There are two Articles – a or an and the.

A or an is called the Indefinite Article, because it usually leaves indefinite the person or thing spoken of.

Example: a teacher; that is, any teacher.

The is called the Definite Article, because it normally points out some particular person or thing.

Example: He saw the teacher; meaning some particular teacher.

 

The indefinite article is used before singular countable nouns.

Examples: a ball, an orange, a woman etc.

 

The definite article is used before singular countable nouns, plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

Examples: the pen, the pens, the milk etc.

 

A or An:

The choice between a and an is determined by sound. Before a word beginning with a vowel sound an is used.

Examples: an elephant, an ink-pad, an orange, an hour, an honest man, an heir etc.

 

The words honest, hour, heir begin with a vowel sound, as the initial consonant h is not pronounced.

 

 

Before a word beginning with a consonant sound a is used.

Examples: a boy, a girl, a deer, a woman, a horse, etc.

Also, a university, a union, a European, a unicorn, a useful article etc. because although these words (union, university, European) begin with a vowel but these vowels have a consonant sound, that of yu.

 

Similarly, we say: a one-dollar coin, such a one, a one-eyed man etc. because the word one begins with the consonant sound of w.

 

Use of the Definite Article:

The Definite Article is used:

1. When we talk about a particular person or thing, or one already referred to (that is, when it is clear from the context which one we mean).

Examples:

a. The phone you want is out of stock. (Which phone? The one you want)

b. Let’s go to the park. (= the park in this city)

c. The boy yelled. (the boy already talked about)

 

2. When a Singular noun is meant to represent a whole class.

Examples:

a. The lion is a ferocious animal.

b. The cow is a gentle animal.

c. The rose is the sweetest of all flowers.

 

 

 

 

The two nouns man and woman can be used in a general sense without either article.

Examples:

1. Man is the only animal that uses fire.

2. Woman is man’s mate.

 

But in present-day English a man and a woman (or men and women) are more usual.

Example: A woman is more patient than a man.

 

3. Before some proper nouns, viz., these kind of place-names:

a. oceans and seas, e.g. the Pacific, the Black Sea.

b. rivers, e.g. the Ganges, the Nile.

c. canals, e.g. the Suez Canal.

d. deserts, e.g. the Sahara.

e. groups of islands, e.g. the West Indies.

f. mountain-ranges, e.g. the Himalayas, the Alps.

g. a very few names of countries, which include words like “republic” and “kingdom”, e.g. the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Netherlands.

 

4. Before the names of certain books.

Examples: The vedas, the Puranas, the Ramayana, the Bible, the Quran.

 

5. Before names of things unique of their kind.

Examples: the sun, the sky, the ocean, the sea, the earth.

 

6. Before a proper noun when it is qualified by an adjective.

Examples: The great Caesar, the immortal Shakespeare.

 

7. With superlatives.

Examples: The best, the fastest, the smallest.

 

8. With ordinals.

Examples: The first man to arrive, the ninth chapter of the book.

 

9. Before musical instruments.

Examples: The flute, the piano, the cello.

 

10. Before an adjective when the noun is understood.

Examples: The poor, the rich.

 

11. Before a noun (with emphasis) to give it the force of a superlative.

Example: The Verb is the word (= the chief word) in a sentence.

 

Use of the indefinite article:

The indefinite article is used:

1. In its original numerical sense of one.

Examples:

a. Twelve inches make a foot.

b. Not a word was said.

c. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

 

2. In the vague sense of a certain.

Examples:

a. A Mayank Tripathi (= a certain person named Mayank Tripathi) was arrested by the police.

b. One evening a beggar came to my door.

 

3. In the sense of “any”, to single out an individual as the representative of a class.

Examples:

a. A student should obey his teacher.

b. A cow is a useful animal.

 

4. To make a common noun of a proper noun.

Example: A Bhagat Singh came to free India (A Bhagat Singh = a brave man).

 

Omission of Articles:

The article is omitted:

1. Before names of substances and abstract nouns (i.e. uncountable nouns) used in a general sense.

Examples:

a. Sugar is bad for your teeth.

b. Gold is a precious metal.

c. Wisdom is the gift of heaven.

d. Honesty is the best policy.

 

 

 

Note: Uncountable nouns take “the” when used in a particular sense (especially when qualified by an adjective or adjectival phrase or clause)

Examples:

a. Would you pass me the sugar? (= the sugar on the table)

b. The wisdom of Socrates is great.

c. I still remember the kindness with which he treated me.

 

2. Before plural countable nouns in a general sense.

Examples:

a. Children like chocolates.

b. Computers are used in many offices.

 

Note: Such nouns take the when used with a particular meaning.

Example: Where are the children? (= our children)

 

3. Before most proper nouns (except those referred to earlier).

Examples:

a. Names of people.

Examples: Rahul, Pankaj, Afsana.

 

b. Names of continents, countries, cities etc.

Examples: Europe, India, Mumbai.

 

c. Names of individual mountains and islands, lakes, hills.

Examples: Mount Everest, Baikal lake.

 

 

 

4. Before names of meals.

Examples: Lunch, dinner. (At what time do you have dinner? Lunch is ready.)

 

5. Before languages.

Examples: English, Russian, French. (We are studying English.)

 

6. Before school, college, university, church, bed, hospital, prison when these places are visited for their primary purpose.

Examples:

a. I learnt Sanskrit at school.

b. We go to church on Sundays.

c. He stays in bed till seven every morning.

d. She is still in hospital.

 

Note: The is used with these words when we refer to them as a definite place, building or object rather than to the normal activity that goes on there.

Examples:

a. The school is near my home.

b. I met her at the church.

c. The bed is new.

d. I went to the hospital to see my uncle.

 

7. Before names of relations, like father, mother, aunt, uncle, and also cook and nurse, meaning “our cook”, “our nurse”.

Examples:

 

a. Father has returned.

b. Uncle wants to see you.

c. Cook has given notice.

 

8. Before predicative nouns denoting a unique position, i.e., a position that is normally held at one time by one person only.

Examples:

a. He was elected chairman of the board.

b. Mr. Sharma became Principal of the college in 1969.

 

9. In certain phrases consisting of a transitive verb followed by its object.

Examples: To catch fire, to take breath, to give battle, to send word, to lay siege, to set sail, to lose heart, to leave home, to take offence.

 

10. In certain phrases consisting of a preposition followed by its object.

Examples: At home, in hand, in debt, by day, by night, at daybreak, at sunrise, at noon, on demand, by land, at dinner, above ground.