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An article is a way of letting the listener or speaker know that a noun is either unspecific or specific.
An article is a way of letting the listener or speaker know that a noun is either unspecific or specific.
Articles are small but important words in the English language.
Articles are considered adjectives because they modify or help describe nouns.
Articles always come before the nouns they describe.
There are two types of articles indefinite ‘a’ and ‘an‘ or definite ‘the'
Indefinite
Indefinite
"a" "an"
"a" "an"
Used to demonstrate the speaker is not referring to a specific item or person but rather speaking in a general sense.
If the noun begins with a vowel, you should use ‘an.’
If the nouns begins with a consonant, you should use ‘a.’
Definite
Definite
"the"
"the"
Used to demonstrate that the speaker is referring to something specific and not talking in a general sense.
When using a definite article, it can be combined with either a plural, a singular or an uncountable noun.
Indefinite Articles (a/an)
Indefinite Articles (a/an)
...use them with singular nouns to talk about any single person or thing
...use them with singular nouns to talk about any single person or thing
Definite Articles (the)
Definite Articles (the)
...specifies a person, place, or thing
...specifies a person, place, or thing
...answers the questions "Which one?"
...answers the questions "Which one?"
...means "this" or "that"
...means "this" or "that"
...can be used with both singular and plural nouns
...can be used with both singular and plural nouns
A noun is first introduced with the indefinite article and the definite article is used to refer to it again.
A noun is first introduced with the indefinite article and the definite article is used to refer to it again.
Rules for Indefinite (a/an) or Definite (the) articles?
Rules for Indefinite (a/an) or Definite (the) articles?
Rule #1.
Depending on whether the noun begins with a consonant or a vowel will depend on which form of the indefinite article you will use. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. The best example of this is with the word ‘honor’ which begins with a consonant, but not when pronounced. So you would not use the word ‘a’ in this instance, you would say:
Depending on whether the noun begins with a consonant or a vowel will depend on which form of the indefinite article you will use. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. The best example of this is with the word ‘honor’ which begins with a consonant, but not when pronounced. So you would not use the word ‘a’ in this instance, you would say:
It is an honor to meet the Queen.
Rule #2.
If you are using a noun which has been modified by an adjective, then the article should come before the adjective and should correspond to the adjective rather than the noun. For example, the noun ‘igloo’ would usually take the article ‘an’ however if you wanted to describe it as being large (adjective), you would create a sentence as follows:
If you are using a noun which has been modified by an adjective, then the article should come before the adjective and should correspond to the adjective rather than the noun. For example, the noun ‘igloo’ would usually take the article ‘an’ however if you wanted to describe it as being large (adjective), you would create a sentence as follows:
The Inuit people traditionally lived in a large igloo.
Another example of this would be if you were going to refer to the noun ‘book’ which would usually take the article ‘a’ however if you wanted to describe the book as being amazing, then you would create a sentence as follows:
Last week I read an amazing book.
Rule #3.
When you are using an uncountable noun (this is a noun which cannot be counted or is infinite or intangible. Some examples of these might be sand, soda, air, information, etc). you should never use the indefinite article as it is only used for singular nouns. You should use the word "some" when talking about these uncountable nouns.
When you are using an uncountable noun (this is a noun which cannot be counted or is infinite or intangible. Some examples of these might be sand, soda, air, information, etc). you should never use the indefinite article as it is only used for singular nouns. You should use the word "some" when talking about these uncountable nouns.
Example: If you were to say the following sentences, it would not make any sense.
Please give the dog a water.
Please give the dog the water.
If you wish to refer to an uncountable noun in this way, the correct sentence would be as follows:
Please give the dog some water.
Rule #4.
If you are using an article with a possessive pronoun, the rules change once again. The two together do not make much sense. Look at the following sentence:
If you are using an article with a possessive pronoun, the rules change once again. The two together do not make much sense. Look at the following sentence:
Have you got the my coat?
This is not correct as you cannot use an article with a possessive pronoun so the article should be deleted.
Rule #5.
Finally, there may be times where an article can be left out, as it is not necessary to refer to the noun. A good example of this would be the sentence ‘I like to play football.’ While football is a noun, using the before it would be unnecessary and so the article is not included.
Finally, there may be times where an article can be left out, as it is not necessary to refer to the noun. A good example of this would be the sentence ‘I like to play football.’ While football is a noun, using the before it would be unnecessary and so the article is not included.
When NOT to use articles
When NOT to use articles
Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Countable nouns are individual objects, people, places, etc. which can be counted.
Examples: an apple, a school, 1 picture, 2 pictures, 3 pictures, 2 men, 4 men, 8 men.
Uncountable nouns are materials, concepts, information, etc. which are not individual objects and can not be counted.
Examples: information, water, understanding, wood, cheese.
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