Article Usage Simplified - Editage · “A” and “an” are called indefinite articles astheyareusedtoreferto before non-specific nouns. ... Article usage simplified THE DEFINITE

Article usage simplified


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to Articles ................................................................................................................................ 5

Position of an Article ............................................................................................................................................ 7

The Indefinite Article ................................................................................................................................... 8

Countable and Uncountable Nouns ..................................................................................................................... 8

Singular Nouns ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

A or An? ............................................................................................................................................................... 9

Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................................... 10

The Definite Article .................................................................................................................................... 11

Previous Mention ............................................................................................................................................... 11

Shared Knowledge ............................................................................................................................................. 12

Post-modification............................................................................................................................................... 13

Special Adjectives ............................................................................................................................................... 13

Generic Reference .............................................................................................................................................. 14

Proper Adjectives ............................................................................................................................................... 15

Unique Nouns .................................................................................................................................................... 15

Geographical use of “the” .......................................................................................................................... 16

Zero Article ................................................................................................................................................ 18

Abstract Nouns .................................................................................................................................................. 18

Company Names ................................................................................................................................................ 18

Geographical Use of Zero Article ....................................................................................................................... 18

Meals ................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Sports ................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Others ................................................................................................................................................................ 19

Steps for Choosing an Article ..................................................................................................................... 21

References ................................................................................................................................................ 22

About the Contributor ............................................................................................................................... 22

LEARNING OBJECTIVES


OBJECTIVES

After reading this e-book, learners will be able to

Recognize an article in a sentence

Differentiate between the three different articles

Use the indefinite article where needed

Distinguish when to use “a” and when to use “an”

Apply the different rules of using the definite article

Apply the rules of geographical use of articles

Avoid using articles in instances where they should not be used

Choose the appropriate article for a noun


be able to

Differentiate between the three different articles

Use the indefinite article where needed

Distinguish when to use “a” and when to use “an”

Apply the different rules of using the definite article


Avoid using articles in instances where they should not be used

Choose the appropriate article for a noun


INTRODUCTION TO ARTICLES

“A,” “an,” and “the” are some of the shortest words in the English language, but they are, perhaps, the most

challenging for a second language learner of English. Articles, as the three little words are called, have always

baffled second language learners. This is because when learning a new language, the major problem we face is

understanding concepts that we are not familiar with in our own language. Russian, Japanese, Polish, Hindi are

languages that have no articles. In such languages, sentences like “Give me a book” and “Give me the book”

would translate to the same sentence. Thus, in Japanese, both the sentences would translate to

本本本本をををを取取取取ってってってって下下下下さいさいさいさい。。。。

However, in English, the choice of “a” or “the” before a noun depends on the context.

In the adjoining picture, you see three t-shirts in a box.

Note the following instructions:

1. Give me a t-shirt.

The indefinite article “a” precedes the noun “t-shirt.”

Note: Here, “a t-shirt” refers to any one of the three t-shirts in the box;

it does not necessarily refer to a specific t-shirt.

2. Give me another t-shirt.

Here, the word “another’ is NOT an article. It just refers to “one more” t-

shirt.

Note: Here, “another t-shirt” refers to any one of the remaining two t-

shirts in the box; it does not necessarily refer to a specific t-shirt.

Lesson Objective: After reading this lesson, learners will

recognize an article in a sentence

distinguish between an indefinite article and a definite article

know where to place an article within a sentence


3. Give me the other t-shirt.

An indefinite article “a” precedes the noun “t-shirt.”

Note: Here, “the t-shirt” refers to one specific t-shirt: the only one that

is remaining in the box. Therefore, the definite article is used.

4. Give me the t-shirt that is in the box.

The definite article precedes the noun “t-shirt” and the noun.

Note: Here, the information “that is in the box” makes the t-shirt

specific and tells you exactly which t-shirt is being talked about.

Therefore, the definite article is used.

5. Give me the t-shirts that are outside the box.

The article “the” precedes the plural noun “t-shirts.”

Note: The definite article, like in this case, can also be used to refer to

more than one specific item.

In the above discussion, we have mainly used the articles “a” and “the.” In the English language, there are two

kinds of articles:

The indefinite article: “a” or “an” The definite article: “the”

Position of an Article

In case the noun that needs an article is preceded by one or more adjectives, the article is placed

the noun but before all the adjectives preceding the noun.

I bought new a car last month.

I bought a new car last month.

Is this black the dress that you bought last week?

Is this the black dress that you bought last week?

She had beautiful, big, blue, a box with her.

She had beautiful, a big, blue box with her

She had a beautiful, big, blue box with her.


In case the noun that needs an article is preceded by one or more adjectives, the article is placed

the noun but before all the adjectives preceding the noun.

Note: The article should be placed

before the adjective “new

before the noun “car

dress that you bought last week? Note: The article should be placed

before the adjective “black”

before the noun “dress

black dress that you bought last week?

box with her.

Note: The article should be placed

before all the adjectives that precede

the noun “box.”big, blue box with her.

beautiful, big, blue box with her.


In case the noun that needs an article is preceded by one or more adjectives, the article is placed not before

The article should be placed

before the adjective “new” and not

before the noun “car.”


before the adjective “black” and not

the noun “dress.”


before all the adjectives that precede

the noun “box.”

THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE

“A” and “an” are called indefinite articles as they are used to refer to

before non-specific nouns.

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

As we noted in the above examples, “a” o

Thus, “a” or “an” can be used in place of “one” in a sentence.

Give me one pen: “A” or “an” can be used

I can see one girl: “A” or “an” can be used

Give me one milk: “A” or “an” cannot be used here.

Note: “A” or “an” can be used to refer to any one of something that can be counted.

Singular Nouns

John has a guitars.

John has a guitar.

I bought an oranges for my mother.

I bought an orange for my mother.

Lesson Objective: After reading this lesson

identify when an indefinite article needs to be used in a sentence

distinguish when to use “a” and when to use “an


LE

ndefinite articles as they are used to refer to any one. Thus, “a” or “an” is used only

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

As we noted in the above examples, “a” or “an” refers to any one of the given items.

Thus, “a” or “an” can be used in place of “one” in a sentence.

“A” or “an” can be used. Note: The article should be placed not

before the noun “car” but before the

adjective “new.”

“A” or “an” can be used.

” or “an” cannot be used here.

Note: This is because “milk” cannot be

counted.

” or “an” can be used to refer to any one of something that can be counted.

Note: We see that “a” or “an” cannot be used

before nouns that refer to more than one. In

other words, “a” or “an” is used only before

singular nouns.

Note: We can say that “a” or “an” is used

before singular, countable nouns that ar

specific in the context.

I bought an oranges for my mother.

I bought an orange for my mother.

After reading this lesson, learners will

identify when an indefinite article needs to be used in a sentence

when to use “an”


Thus, “a” or “an” is used only

The article should be placed not

before the noun “car” but before the

adjective “new.”

This is because “milk” cannot be

We see that “a” or “an” cannot be used

before nouns that refer to more than one. In

other words, “a” or “an” is used only before

e can say that “a” or “an” is used

countable nouns that are not

specific in the context.


A or An?

When do we use “a” and when do we use “an”? Whether to use “a” or “an” depends on the pronunciation of

the word that the article will precede.

“A” is used before any word that begins with a consonant sound. In other words, “a” is also used before a

vowel that is pronounced like a consonant.

Example: The town has a hospital, a university, a park, and a supermarket.

Note: In the example, “a” is used before “town,” “park,” and “supermarket” because all of them begin with

consonants. Although “university” begins with “u,” which is a vowel, it is pronounced as “yu-ni-ver-sity.” Thus, it

begins with a consonant-like sound, the sound of “y.” Therefore, “a” has been used before “university.”

On the contrary, “an” is used before any word that begins with a vowel sound.

Example: He is an Englishman and holds an honorable position in the government. He has an apple every

day and carries an umbrella.

Note: In this example, “Englishman,” “apple,” and “umbrella” begin with a vowel, but “honorable” does not; yet, we

have used “an” before “honorable.” This is because what matters is the pronunciation of the word. In the word

“honorable,” the vowel “h” is silent; thus, we pronounce it as “o-no-ra-ble.”

Here’s another example that clearly indicates that although the initial letter of the word following the article

gives us a clue, what really counts is how the word itself is pronounced:

Example: I’ll ride a horse for an hour.

The indefinite article “a” or “an” is used before singular, countable nouns that are not specific in the

context.

Abbreviations

This brings us to another important area

abbreviations like NMR are read aloud letter by letter. Since the letter N is pronounced as

the vowel sound “e”; hence, NMR should be preceded by “an” and not “a.”

Which indefinite article would you use before the

“NASA”?

As mentioned, it will depend on the pronunciation of the word. “MA” is generally

that is, it is pronounced as “em-ey.” Therefore, it is

aloud as one word and not letter-by-letter.

begins with a consonant sound (“-na”), we use “a” before it

Test your learning

Look at the following sentences where “a” or “an” has been used. Find out why B is correct and A is incorrect:

1A This is an useful box.

1B This is a useful box.

2A I met an one-eyed man.

2B I met a one-eyed man.

3A He will marry a heiress.

3B He will marry an heiress.

4A She is a MBA from Harvard.

4B She is an MBA from Harvard.


This brings us to another important area—the use of indefinite articles before abbreviations.

abbreviations like NMR are read aloud letter by letter. Since the letter N is pronounced as

NMR should be preceded by “an” and not “a.”

efinite article would you use before the abbreviation “MA”? Should you use “a” or “an” before

d on the pronunciation of the word. “MA” is generally read aloud

Therefore, it is preceded by “an.” However, “NASA” is generally read

letter. We pronounce it as “na-sa” and not as “en-

na”), we use “a” before it, for example, “a NASA project.”


Sounds like “yuse-ful”

Sounds like “won-eyed”

Sounds like “air-ess”

Sounds like “em-bi-ey”


before abbreviations. Certain

abbreviations like NMR are read aloud letter by letter. Since the letter N is pronounced as “en,” it begins with

“MA”? Should you use “a” or “an” before

read aloud letter-by-letter,

However, “NASA” is generally read

-ey-es-ey.” Thus, as it

ASA project.”



THE DEFINITE ARTICLE

The word “the” is known as the definite article as it is used to refer to a specific item. For example, if you ask

for “the apple,” you are asking for a certain apple you already know of; however, if you were to ask for “an

apple,” it could be any one of a number of apples sitting on the counter.

The definite article helps you to identify a specific noun.

Example: Give me the apple that is on the floor.

Here is an apple for you. The apple seems to be very juicy.

Show me the apple that Dad brought from the orchard.

Give me the second apple from the left.

Give me the only apple that is outside the basket.

Give me the juiciest apple.

Previous Mention

Once a noun has been introduced in a passage, the reader can identify it when it is used again, as it becomes

unique in the context. Hence, all subsequent references are preceded by “the.”

Example: Dennis bought a car last month. But he still cannot use the car as there is a problem with its

engine. (The car has been mentioned in the previous sentence.)

I read some books on philosophy. Although I disagreed with some of the concepts, I found

the books very interesting. (The books have been mentioned in the previous sentence.)

Note: Sometimes a noun is not repeated in the same form as it was introduced. The writer may use a synonym or a

varied form of the noun and still precede it with the definite article.

When a noun is specific or identifiable in the context of the sentence, it is preceded by the definite

article.


identify when a definite article needs to be used

apply the different rules of using the definite article


Example: My brother bought a Mercedes last month, but he does not use the car to commute to his

workplace.

Shared Knowledge

Shared knowledge refers to a situation when both the speaker and listener, or the writer and reader know what

is being spoken or written about, even if it has not been mentioned before. This depends on the knowledge

shared by the reader and writer. Shared knowledge makes a noun unique in a given context as it is identifiable

by all concerned. Therefore, such nouns are preceded by the definite article “the.” In academic writing, the

writer uses the definite article depending on his idea of the readers’ knowledge.

Example: The movie was wonderful, wasn’t it?

It is understood that both the speaker and the listener know which “movie” is being referred to.

Example: You can send out the invitation cards to your clients.

In the second sentence, the reader evidently knows which invitation cards he or she is supposed to send.

Note that in instruction manuals (say of a camera), you will find that references to the different parts are

preceded by “the,” for example, “the lens,” “the flash,” etc. This is because you are expected to be holding the

camera or to have it with you while reading the instructions.

If a noun has been introduced in a passage, the next and subsequent mentions of that noun are preceded

by the definite article.

When both the writer and the reader know what is being written about, the noun becomes identifiable in

the given context due to shared knowledge and is preceded by the definite article “the.”


Post-modification

Nouns are often followed by phrases that describe them. This is called “post-modification.” For instance, in

the phrase “the girl in the yellow dress,” you can see that the prepositional phrase “in the yellow dress”

enables the reader to identify the girl. Thus, the phrase modifies the noun and makes it unique. Hence, it is

preceded by the definite article.

Example: Anyone who has experienced the process of chemotherapy would admit that it is painful.

In this sentence, the reference to “process” is specific. In this case, “process” is post-modified by the phrase

“of chemotherapy.” This phrase gives the reader specific information about what kind of process you are

referring to. Therefore, the noun “process” should be preceded by the definite article.

Special Adjectives

The definite article is used before a noun preceded by ranking adjectives, a term that includes three kinds of

adjectives: superlative, ordinal, and unique.

Words such as “highest,” “fastest,” and “best” are superlative adjectives, and typically, there can be only one

such entity in a given context. Thus, there can be only one tallest boy in the class, only one highest mountain,

and only one fastest car. Hence, such an adjective helps us to identify that noun, that is, makes the noun

unique in the context.

Example: Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

For many people, Paris would arguably be the most exciting city.

The same is true of ordinal adjectives such as “first,” “second,” “ninth,” “thirty-sixth,” etc. In any set, there can

be only one first position, only one ninth position, and so on. Thus, the noun occupying such a position

becomes unique in the context and is preceded by “the.”

Example: This is the first time I am going abroad.

Pharaoh Tutankhamen belonged to the eighteenth dynasty of Egyptian rulers.

When a noun is followed by a phrase (post-modifier) that makes it identifiable in the context, the noun

should be preceded by the definite article.


Some adjectives such as “only,” “sole,” “same,” “exact,” etc., are naturally restrictive. Such adjectives are

called unique adjectives, and when they qualify a noun, the noun, too, becomes unique. Hence, such nouns

are preceded by the definite article.

Example:

We were the only people at the theater.

My parents have lived in the same house for more than twenty years.

The next person in the queue would have to wait for an hour.

Generic Reference

The definite article is sometimes used generically to indicate that a countable noun or noun phrase refers to

an entire type of something. In such usage, the noun or noun phrase is always in the singular. This rule usually

applies to a particular kind of plant, animal, or a body part.

Example:

The golden retriever is a great pet for children.

The blue whale is the largest mammal.

Transplantation of the heart is one of the most widely researched subjects in science.

Note: In such usage, the article can be omitted altogether so long as the plural version of the noun is used, for

example, Blue whales are the largest mammals.

When an adjective describes a unique rank or position of a noun (best, only, second) so that the noun

becomes identifiable in the context, the noun becomes unique and is preceded by the definite article.

The definite article is used in case of generic references, that is, when you use the name of an object or a

living creature to represent all the objects or creatures of the same group or species.


Proper Adjectives

A proper adjective is an adjective derived from a proper noun. For instance, “India” is a proper noun, and

“Indian” is a proper adjective. Proper adjectives of places or languages are used to refer to people. In such

cases, these adjectives function as nouns.

Example: The French love their wines.

Here, “the French” refers to the people of France.

Note: The definite article is used for groups of people, for example, “the Japanese” or “the French.” However, while

referring to the language, we do not use the definite article. Names of languages never take the definite article

unless they are followed by the noun “language.”

Thus, “Japanese” would mean “the Japanese language” while “the Japanese” would mean “the people of

Japan.”

Example: Do you speak Japanese? (refers to the language)

The Japanese have a great regard for their emperor. (refers to the people)

Unique Nouns

When something is unique or, in other words, only one such object is known to us, the definite article is used.

Example:

The sun

The president

The Queen of England

The capital city

The moon

The equator

The North Pole

The east

The west

This is especially true for objects that are well known by many or most people.


GEOGRAPHICAL USE OF “THE”

Ordinarily, we never use any article—definite or indefinite—with the names of places. However, an exception

is made for names of countries that represent a union of multiple regions. In such cases, the name of the

country is always preceded by the definite article.

Example: The United States of

America

The UAE

The definite article is also used when the name of a place has the preposition “of” or the word “republic” in it.

Example: The Czech Republic

The Dominican Republic

The Republic of China

The state of New York

Names of countries that are pluralized are preceded by the definite article.

Example: The Netherlands

The names of groups of islands are always preceded by the definite article.

Example: The British Isles The Caribbean Islands The Maldives

The names of rivers, seas, oceans, canals, straits, channels, and gulfs take the definite article.

Example: The Indian Ocean The Gulf of Mexico The Mississippi

However, the definite article is NOT used with names of falls or bays (unless the name has “of” in it).

Example: Niagara Falls Hudson Bay The Bay of Bengal

The definite article is used with groups of lakes, but NOT with single lakes.



Example: The Great Lakes

Names of deserts, forests, and peninsulas are preceded by the definite article

Example: The Sahara Desert

Remember: The definite article is NOT used

Names of

continents

the Asia

Asia

Names of states

or countries

the Japan

Japan

Names of

streets

the Oxford Street

Oxford Street

Names of single

lakes

the Boston Bay

Boston Bay


Lake Ontario

insulas are preceded by the definite article.

The Kola Peninsula

used with the following:

Names of cities

the Tokyo

Tokyo

Names of states

the Osaka

Osaka

the Oxford Street Names of falls

or bays

the Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls


the Tokyo

the Osaka

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls


ZERO ARTICLE

Zero article refers to a situation when no article is required before a noun. No article is generally required in

the following cases:

Abstract Nouns

No article is required before abstract nouns used in a general sense.

Example: Love is all you need.

Crime is a growing problem in small towns.

Company Names

No article is required before company names.

Example: Cisco, Microsoft, CBS, EMI, Hitachi, Lufthansa, etc.

Geographical Use of Zero Article

No article is needed before most roads, streets, parks, squares, or bridges.

Example: Queens Road, Oxford Street, Central Park, Times Square, Tower Bridge, etc.

No article is needed with the names of single mountains and lakes.

Example: While in New Zealand, I climbed Mount Cook.


identify when articles should not be used before a noun


Meals

No article is needed before the names of meals, unless it is a formal occasion.

Example: Roger had breakfast in his hotel room.

However, when referring to a formal occasion, an article is used.

Example: I attended a dinner at the Rotary Club.

Sports

No article is needed before the names of games or sports.

Example: Anna Kournikova plays tennis.

I play basketball for my college team.

Others

No article is needed before bed, church, court, hospital, prison, school, college, university, etc., when these are

used for their primary purpose.

Example:

She stayed in bed on Sunday instead of going to church.

The dissatisfied customer threatened to take him to court.

The dissident was released from prison.

After graduating from high school, he went to university.

If, however, they are used for any other purposes, “the” is required.

Example:

She sat on the bed while she changed her socks.

He entered the church to photograph its interior.

The carpenter forgot a ladder in the prison and had to come back for it.

No article is required before television as a medium.


Example: Carol saw her brother on television.

However, an article is required when the word is used to refer to an appliance.

Example: She had an indoor antenna on the television.

No article is required before a noun followed by a categorizing letter or number.

Example:

The students have just read section C.

The Chicago train is about to depart from track 5.

Read the paragraph on page 32.


STEPS FOR CHOOSING AN ARTICLE

In order to choose the appropriate article for a noun, you first need to decide whether the noun is singular.

One way to determine this is to ask yourself whether you could put the number “one” before it. For example,

you can say “one experiment,” but not “one knowledge” or “one examples.” This is because “experiment” is

singular, whereas “knowledge” is uncountable and “examples” is plural. If the noun is not singular, then it

must be either plural or uncountable.

1. Singular noun (one of something that is countable)

Is the noun specific? IF YES: Use “the” IF NO: Use “a” or “an”

2. Plural or uncountable noun: Is the noun specific?

IF YES: Use “the”

Example: The reports that I gave you are confidential. (plural and

specific)

Example: The cotton that is manufactured in Egypt is exported to

Europe. (uncountable and specific)

IF NO: Use no article

Example: Long reports are difficult to write. (plural and non-specific)

Example: Egypt's major exports are cotton and crude oil. (uncountable

and non-specific)

Note: Every specific noun can take the article “the,” regardless of whether it is singular, plural, countable,

or uncountable. Therefore, if you cannot decide whether a noun is singular, plural, countable, or

uncountable, go on to the next step and ask yourself whether it is specific (unique in the given context) or

not. If it is specific, then use “the.”


choose the appropriate article for a noun


REFERENCES

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/

http://www.ehow.com/how_5113807_teach-articles-english.html

http://bogglesworldesl.com/indefinitearticles4.htm

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Kakoli Majumder has a Master’s degree in English and a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She has also cleared

the Teaching Knowledge Test conducted by Cambridge ESOL. Kakoli has over ten years of experience teaching

ESL to different target groups, both online and in the classroom. She has been an English Instructor with

Cactus Communications since 2008, teaching English through an online medium.

Documents

Article Usage Simplified - Editage · “A” and “an” are called indefinite articles astheyareusedtoreferto before non-specific nouns. ... Article usage simplified THE DEFINITE