Category: Determiners
An article is a word used to modify a noun, basically, it’s an adjective. English has two types of articles: the (definite article) and a/an (indefinite articles). They’re used very often and are very important for using English accurately.
Indefinite articles
A and an are indefinite articles used to refer to a singular countable noun. These articles are used to refer to any member of a group or class. The speaker doesn’t tell us exactly which one he or she is referring to.
Use a/an for naming a member of a group:
EXAMPLES
- Mrs. Doudtfire is a nanny / Oscar works as an engineer (Jobs).
- Diego Armando Maradona is an Argentine (Nationalities).
- Barbara is a Jewish (Religions).
THE USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE “A”
1) “A” is used before a consonant (b, c, d, etc.)
EXAMPLES
2) “A” is used before a vowel but consonant sound
EXAMPLES
3) “A” is used before a pronounced “h”
EXAMPLE
THE USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE “AN”
1) “An” is used before a vowel (a, e, i, etc.)
EXAMPLES
2) “An” is used before an unpronounced (mute) “h”
EXAMPLE
3) “An” is used before a consonant but vowel sound
EXAMPLES
1) “A” is used before a consonant (b, c, d, etc.)
EXAMPLES
- a car.
- a dog.
- a Friday.
- a tiny nose.
- a 15 year-old boy.
- a year / week (time).
- a kilo / mile (measurements). Also using “one” instead of “a” is correct.
2) “A” is used before a vowel but consonant sound
EXAMPLES
- a university. [juː]
- a unit. [juː]
- a European. [jʊ]
- a one (1). [w]
3) “A” is used before a pronounced “h”
EXAMPLE
- a horse.
THE USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE “AN”
1) “An” is used before a vowel (a, e, i, etc.)
EXAMPLES
- an orange.
- an eye.
- an alligator.
2) “An” is used before an unpronounced (mute) “h”
EXAMPLE
- an hour [a].
- an honest [ˈɑ] (N. Amer.) - [ˈɒ] (Brit.)
- an honor [ˈɑ] (N. Amer.) - [ˈɒ] (Brit.)
- an heir [ɛ] (N. Amer.) - [e] (Brit.)
- an herb [ɜ] (N. Amer.)
3) “An” is used before a consonant but vowel sound
EXAMPLES
- an “F”. [ε]
- an MBA. [ε]
Definite article
The is a definite article used to refer to something specific (singular or plural nouns). The speaker talks about a particular (or known) member of a group.
EXAMPLES
The is a definite article used to refer to something specific (singular or plural nouns). The speaker talks about a particular (or known) member of a group.
EXAMPLES
- The book on the table is about horror stories.
- Could you pass me the sugar, please?
- The movie was great.
THE USE OF THE DEFINITE ARTICLE “THE”
1) “The” is used before a noun which has already been previously mentioned
EXAMPLES
2) “The” is used to indicate a noun that is unique or there is only one
EXAMPLES
3) “The” is used before superlative adjectives
EXAMPLES
4) “The” is used to talk about the whole population of a country or region
EXAMPLES
HOWEVER: When generalizing about nationalities or a group of people, “the” is not usually used: “Americans eat a lot of hamburgers”
5) “The” is used to indicate all the members of a family
EXAMPLE
6) “The” is used to talk about musical instruments
EXAMPLE
7) “The” is used to talk about directions (cardinal points)
EXAMPLES
THE USE OF THE DEFINITE ARTICLE “THE”
1) “The” is used before a noun which has already been previously mentioned
EXAMPLES
- I lost the wallet you gave me yesterday.
- They have a dog and two cats. The dog is Siberian husky.
2) “The” is used to indicate a noun that is unique or there is only one
EXAMPLES
- The President of United States lives in the White House.
- The Eiffel tower was built in 1889 to commemorate the French Revolution.
- The Nile is a river in Africa.
- Where is the bathroom?
3) “The” is used before superlative adjectives
EXAMPLES
- It’s the largest river in the world.
- She is the most beautiful lady of all time.
4) “The” is used to talk about the whole population of a country or region
EXAMPLES
- The British drink too much tea.
- The Romans invaded Britain in AD 43.
- The Mayans were famous for their architecture and astronomical knowledge.
HOWEVER: When generalizing about nationalities or a group of people, “the” is not usually used: “Americans eat a lot of hamburgers”
5) “The” is used to indicate all the members of a family
EXAMPLE
- The Simpsons live in Springfield.
6) “The” is used to talk about musical instruments
EXAMPLE
- She plays the piano every day.
7) “The” is used to talk about directions (cardinal points)
EXAMPLES
- the north.
- the south-east.
Worksheets
Answers: 1. a 2. an 3. the 4. a 5. the 6. a 7. a 8. the 9. an 10. the 11. a 12. a 13. an 14. the 15. The - an
|
Answers: 1. a 2. the 3. the 4. a 5. a 6. the 7. the 8. a 9. the 10. the 11. a 12. the 13. the 14. a 15. a
|
What to read next