The article a, an, the in English: examples of use, rule

In many foreign languages ​​there is such a thing as an article. Starting a grammar study with this topic will be a good option for those who want to know English. The article (the rule of use will help to understand the issue) is the official part of speech in English. It shows the certainty or uncertainty of a noun. The following are the rules for its use when the article a (an), the is omitted.

Article Types

In English, there are two types of article:

• certain is the;
• undefined - a (an) (two forms).

The definite article shows that we are talking about some well-known or familiar subject, which is more individualized, stands out among others. And indefinite indicates a more generalized meaning or object that appears in the text for the first time. Examples:

The girl has a dog./ The girl has a dog.

From this proposal it can be understood that we are talking about a specific girl who is already familiar to the reader and she was previously mentioned in the text, but the word “dog” is more generalized, which dog is unknown.

Next, we will learn the rules, and also perform exercises on the articles in order to consolidate the material.

Origin

We have already found out that in English there is such a part of speech as the article: a (an), the. They originally came from other words and to some extent retained their old meaning.

For example, a certain article is an abbreviated form of the word that (that, that), which is why it carries such a specific meaning.

The indefinite article comes from the word one (one, some).

Definite article

In English, a certain article has two functions: the first of them is concretizing, and the other generalizing. And this part of speech is used if a person knows exactly what subject is being discussed, or if this subject is unique.

The definite article

• It is used if one item is distinguished from the totality, it has some excellent parameters, stands out for a unique case, context. Before adjectives in superlatives.

He is the best player in our team. He is the best player in our team.

• It is put before ordinal numbers, the words following, last, next, only and very. They make the noun more specific.

And not the next day. / And not the next day.

• Adjectives are also superlatively defined.

It is the worst day in my life./ This is the worst day in my life.

A definitive article in a generic sense

• In generalizing - when a noun can be attributed to a whole kind of objects.

Examples include the German Shepherd - the double coat is straight, and short length./ For example, a German Shepherd. Wool has two characteristics: straight and short.

Here we are talking about all dogs belonging to a particular breed.

• Omitted if replaced by possessive.

She sure had some love for her German Shepards. / She definitely loves her German Shepherds.

• If you can put the word "this" before the noun.

The hotel also features easy access to the several subway stations./ The hotel (this hotel) is also easily accessible from several metro stations.

• When indicating an era, significant events.

The First World War./ The First World War.

• Before uncountable nouns, only if we are talking about a certain amount of substance.

And then the farmer has to find another way to deliver the juice ./ Then the farmer will have to find another way to produce juice.

• Before the names of body parts.

The hand.

• Before social classes and sections of society.

The police./ Police officers.

A definite article with proper names and some names

It will help to better understand how to use the article with the proper names and some names of the articles, the table below. Before all the words below, you must add the definite article the.

Definite article. Plural

• If a definite article is used before a word in the singular, then it is placed before it in the plural.

You can bring the ball with, if you want ./ If you want, take the ball with you.

You can bring the balls with, if you want./ If you want, take the balls with you.

• The article also remains before the plural, if we are talking about some group as a whole.

The members of Golf club can breathe fresh air ./ Golf club members can breathe fresh air. (Everyone can breathe fresh air).

The Indefinite Article a (an)

Use "a" if the first letter in the word is consonant, "an" if the vowel:

• a table, a carpet, a dog / table, carpet, dog;
• an elephant, an eagle, an orange / elephant, eagle, orange.

Exceptions to the rule:

• the article "a" is always preceded by words that begin with the letter "u" if it is pronounced as / ju: / (English is a universal language);
• before the words "one", "ones" the article "a" (a one-parent family) is always used;
• if the abbreviations begin with a consonant but are read with a vowel (F is pronounced like / ef /), then the indefinite article "an" (an FBI agent) is always used in front of them.

Classifying, generalizing and numerical value of the indefinite article

• Expressive-colored sentences in exclamatory sentences that begin with the word what use the indefinite article.

What a great! / How great!

• With singular nouns that face words like rather, quite, such and most.

In a rather prescient way./ Extremely far-sighted.

• If a noun is a generalizing meaning for the whole class, species, layer, etc., then an indefinite article is put in front of it. Most often, such a noun is at the beginning of the sentence and does not carry any important information. More significant details are described later in the text.

A newspaper text is a very laconic and relevant essay./ Newspaper text is a concise and relevant essay.

• In numerical terms, the article denotes its original meaning - one.

I can stay in Paris for only a day. (Here it is clear that the particle -a can be replaced by one, the word from which the article a (an) was formed (the from that). In this sentence, the particle takes its usual place).

The Indefinite Article a (an). Plural

Articles that are used in the singular before nouns are not used in the plural.

She had a book of astrology./ She had a book on astrology.

She had two books./ She had two books. (As you can see, the article is omitted).

Proper names and article a (an)

The article a (an) is used before proper names if they:

• unknown

A Mr. Anderson has come to see you ./ A certain Mr. Anderson has come to see you.

• are used as common nouns

You think, I am a Leonardoda Vinci? / Do you think I'm Leonardo da Vinci?

• point to individual family members

It is no wonder; in fact, she is a Smith. / No wonder, she is Smith.

• describe the position of a place or object

We saw a rebuild Rome./ We saw the rebuilt Rome.

In addition, there are persistent expressions that, regardless of context, never change and always remain in place. Such phrases you just need to learn:

a few / few, it is a pity / sorry, a little / little, etc.

When the article is not needed

In the English language there is such a thing as a “zero article”, that is, when it is absent in sentences before nouns. Above in the article, cases where the article is omitted have already been mentioned. Let's consider some more characteristic rules.

• If the nouns are adjectives old / old, little / small, poor / poor, lazy / lazy, honest / honest.

She is little girl./ She is a little girl.

• If there is no definition of a noun.

I do not like Peter./ I do not like Peter.

• Before titles, ranks.

Lord Green./ Lord Green.

Article Exercises

To consolidate the knowledge gained, you need to do a few exercises. Then check your answers with the keys, analyze the errors. For example, you can do the task below.

Insert the missing article a (an), the:

Paris is ... beautiful town./Paris is a beautiful city.

What's going on? I think it's ... salute./ What is happening? I think it's a salute.

Britney Spears is ... singer./ Britney Spears is a singer.

This is Nick. He is ... engineer./This is Nick. He is an engineer.

... spider has eight legs ./ Spiders have eight legs.

It is ... tomato./ This is a tomato.

I am ... nurse./ I am a nurse.

She is ... best./ She is the best.

To take ... seat./ Sit down.

In ... country./ In the country.

Answers to the exercise. How to insert the article a (an), the:

1. a. 2. a. 3. a. 4. an. 5. a. 6. a. 7. a. 8. the. 9. a. 10. the.