What Are Articles

The Indefinite Article (a, an)

The indefinite article takes two forms. The letter ‘ a ’ precedes a word that begins with a consonant sound including the vowel letter for example a university. The word ‘ an ’ precedes a word with a vowel sound including the consonant letter for example: an honest man.

The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a particular thing. The indefinite article is only used with singular nouns.

Examples:

• On a festive day, a chocolate cake tasted delicious.

By using the article ‘a’ , we’ve created a general statement, implying that any chocolate cake would taste good on any festive day.

Article Before an Adjective

Sometimes an adjective is used before a noun to describe it. In this case, an article will be used before adjective. The usual word order is article + adjective + noun. If adverb is used before adjective followed by noun, then article will be used before adverb. The word order would be Adverb +adjective +noun. If the article is indefinite(a/an), choose ‘a’ or ‘an’ based on the word that immediately follows it.

Examples:

• Sara will bring a colourful umbrella to Dua’s party.
• I heard a very interesting story yesterday.

Indefinite Articles with Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are nouns that are either difficult or impossible to count. Uncountable nouns include intangible things (e.g., information, air), liquids (e.g., milk, wine), and things that are too large or numerous to count (e.g., equipment, sand, wood). As these things cannot be counted, ‘a’ or ‘an’ should not be used with them. Uncountable nouns can be modified by words like some or by unit of measurement like 20 litres of water or countable units like three pieces of furniture Note that depending on the context, some nouns can be countable or uncountable (e.g., hair, noise, time):

Examples:

• I have a grey hair (refers to one grey hair)
• I have grey hair (refers to whole head is grey haired)

Using Articles with Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are words like his, my, our, its, her, your and their. Articles should not be used with pronouns because both articles and possessive pronouns specify the noun/items.

Examples:

• Why are you using the my computer? (Wrong)

The and my should not be used together since they are both meant to modify the same noun.

Instead, you should use one or the other, depending on the meaning you want to deliver:

Examples:

• Why are you using the computer? (Correct)
• Why are you using my computer? (Correct)

Uses of Definite Article ‘The’

• There is only one item in the world (the pope, the sun, the universe)
• With superlative degree of adjective (the tallest, the most beautiful)
• ‘The’ is not used if possessive noun is placed before the superlative e.g. my biggest achievement.
• Referred to by a noun: The wolf is not really a dangerous animal. (= Wolves are not dangerous animals.)
• To refer to a system or service (the police, the radio)
• When adjectives are used as a noun: rich, poor, elderly, unemployed, about groups of people.
• Before musical instruments: Joe plays the piano really well.
• Countries whose names include words like kingdom, states or republic: The United Kingdom, The Kingdom of Bhutan, The United States
• Countries which have plural nouns as their names: for example: The Netherlands , The Philippines
• Geographical features, such as mountain ranges, groups of islands, rivers, seas, oceans and canals: for example: The Himalayas , The Canaries , The Atlantic (Ocean) , the Amazon , the Panama Canal
• Newspapers: The Times , The Washington Post .
• Well-known buildings or works of art: The Empire State Building , The Taj Mahal , The Mona Lisa
• Organizations: The United Nations , The Seamen's Union
• Hotels, pubs and restaurants: for example: The Ritz , The Ritz Hotel , The King's Head , The Déjà Vu
• However, definite article ‘the’ is not used, if the name of the hotel or restaurant is the name of the owner: Brown's, Brown's Hotel, Morel's, Morel's Restaurant.
• Families: the Obamas , the Jacksons

Omission of Articles

Occasionally, articles are omitted altogether before certain nouns.

• Often, the article is omitted before nouns that refer to abstract ideas.

Examples:

• Let us go out for lunch next Monday.
• Creativity is a valuable quality in children.

Many languages and nationalities are not preceded by an article.

Examples:

• I learnt French in college for two years.

Sports and academic subjects do not require articles.

Examples:

• I like to play baseball.

• My daughter was always good at Math.