ARTICLES
An
article is a word used to modify a noun, which is a person, place, object, or
idea. Technically, an article is an adjective, which is any word that modifies
a noun. Usually adjectives modify nouns through description, but articles are
used instead to point out or refer to nouns.
A,
AN and THE are called articles these articles are divided into
1
Definite articles and
2
indefinite article.
- A and AN are indefinite article: it is used when we speak about something for the first time, or something non-specific.
- THE is a definite article: It is used when we speak about something specific or something that has already been mentioned in the conversation.
1
A:
- We use “A” with singular nouns and adjectives which begin with a consonant sound.
EG: A Ball, A Cap, A pen, A watch etc….
- We use “A” before the words start with vowel letter but having the consonant soundEG: A Union, A University, A Unit, A Useful book, A One rupee coin etc….
- ‘A’ sometimes comes before determiners,
EG:
A Few, A Little, A Lot of etc…
2
AN:
- We use “AN” with singular nouns and adjectives which begin with a vowel sound.
EG:
AN Artist, AN Orange, AN Umbrella, etc…
- We use “AN” before the words begin with a consonant letter but have a vowel sound.
EG:
AN Hour, AN Honest man, AN HMT watch, AN MLA, etc…
NOTE:
- Indefinite articles often precede descriptive adjectives.
EG:
A Good boy, A Nice shirt, AN Honest man etc…
- With the names of jobs and professions
EG:
I want to be a politician, He is a
doctor, etc…
- We Use the indefinite article to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.
EG:
I
think AN animal is in the garage
That
man is A scoundrel.
We
are looking for AN apartment.
3
THE:
- We use “THE” when there is only one such thing.
EG: THE Earth, THE Sun, THE Pacific ocean etc….
- We usually use “THE” before ordinal numbers.EG: THE First prize, THE Third floor, etc…
- We use “THE” before some proper nouns such as :EG: THE Indian ocean, THE Arabian sea, THE Ganga river etc…
- We use “THE” before the Names of Oceans, Gulfs, Seas, Mountain ranges, Great Lakes, Water bodies and Rivers:EG: THE Pacific, THE Atlantic, THE Arabian Sea, THE Persian Gulf,THE Nile, THE Yamuna River, THE Himalayas , etc.
- We use “THE” before names of most Buildings, Landmarks, Monuments and Natural wonders.
EG: THE Taj mahal, THE High court, THE Statue of
liberty, etc…
- Use “THE” before Names of countries with United by different parts or Islands:EG: THE USA, , THE UK, THE UAE, THE Philippines, THE Czech republic, etc.
- Use “THE” before The names of places ending in plurals.
EG:
THE Andaman and Nicobar Islands, THE Bahamas, THE Netherlands, THE West Indies
- We use “THE” when it is clear to the listener or reader which person, animal, place, or thing we are referring to.
EG:
THE Judge found him not guilty
- We use “THE” when a person, an animal, a plant, a place, a thing is mentioned for a second time.
EG:
I ate an apple yesterday. THE apple was juicy and delicious.
- When it comes to eating in general, the article is not used. But if you are speaking about a particular breakfast, lunch or dinner, use “THE”.
EG:
I don’t eat breakfast, We didn’t like THE dinner
- If the compass direction follows a preposition or if it designates a definite region, use “THE”. If it follows a verb, no article is used.
EG:
They went east, THE northern region is cooler than THE south
- If you are speaking about any uncountable noun about something specific, “THE” is used.
EG:
I like bread/milk/honey, I like THE
bread/THE milk/THE honey. (specific breakfast)
- When speaking about members of the same family collectively, “THE” should be used before the surname. In this way, you designate a group of people –a family – with one word. Remember, the surname must be in the plural form.
EG:
THE Smiths, THE Johnsons
- We use “THE” before superlative adjectives.
EG:
THE Tallest boy, THE Longest river, etc…