Articles in English: The Beginning of Learning English Grammar will get you started with English grammar in elementary school. The articles are a part of determiners. The articles in English are ‘the’, the definite article, and ‘a and ‘and the indefinite articles. Articles in English form the basis of elementary students’ studies and are the first step in learning English grammar. Readlearnexcel will write about the meaning, types, uses, and practical examples of articles in English grammar.

1. Go and call a woman. [Indefinite Article]

2. Go and call the woman in the white dress. [Definite Articl]

 

What is the definition of an article in English?

An article is a tiny and concise word that defines the nature of the noun whether it’s specific or not. They define the nouns and are used before nouns. Thesaurus defines an article: “An article is a word that is used to indicate that a noun is a noun without describing it. For example, in the sentence Nick bought a dog, the article indicates that the word dog is a noun. Articles can also modify anything that acts as a noun, such as a pronoun or a noun phrase.”

Check the examples of articles:

• After hard work for the whole day, the cup of masala tea relaxes you.
• The money you gave me helped me a lot.
• I got excellent marks after the adviceyou gave me near examinations.
• The English Grammar book which you gave me helped me to learn English.
• An article is a tiny and concise word.
• Do you have a pencil?
• I saw an elephant.

In the above sentences, ‘the’, ‘a’, and ‘an’ are used before the nouns. In the first four sentences, ‘the’ is used to denote the “special” or “particular” ‘cup of masala tea, ‘the money, and thus, ‘the’ is used for definite articles while ‘a and ‘an’ are used for indefinite articles.

What are the types of articles in English?

On the basis of their determining the generality or particularity, definiteness, and indefiniteness of a noun, the articles can be divided into two categories. In the above sentences, “the,” “a, and “an” are the articles and are used to convey the different meanings of the noun. For example, ‘I saw an elephant’ or ‘I saw the elephants of Kerala’ or ‘A pencil is a stationary item’. An elephant is used for one elephant, and the elephant denotes the particular elephant from Kerala.

Now, see the difference between an elephant and a pencil. Although both a and an are used for a single entity, what is the difference between a and an?

Therefore, there are two types of articles: definite and indefinite. Now, let us define definite and indefinite articles in English grammar.

Two Types of Articles in English Grammar: The Beginning of Learning Articles in English Grammar

• Definite Article in English Grammar: The
• Indefinite Articles in English Grammar: A and An

The Definite Articles in English Grammar: The

Let us understand the definition of a definite article by looking into some examples:

Examples of Definite Article ‘the’ in English Grammar.

• The Sun rises in the east.
• The Sun sets in the west.
• The students of class 12 are playing on the school ground.
• The Gangais considered a holy river.
• The M.B.A. from Oxford Universityis best for management students.
• The bangles of Ferozabad are beautiful.
• The crowd attended the mass prayer.

The Sun, the students of class 12, the Ganga, the M.B.A. from Oxford, and the bangles of Ferozabad have one thing in common; the word “the” is used in all these sentences. Here, “the” denotes a specialty, something specific. It means’ the’ is a definite article.

ReadLearnExcel Sureshot Questions Class 12 English(Core): Coming Soon

Definition of Definite Article in English Grammar

The definite article defines something particular or definite or distinct, exact, or explicit. The definite article in English grammar is generally used before plural nouns as in the sentence,

• The bangles of Ferozabad are beautiful.

  and as an indication of superlative degree, and the definite article, ‘the’, is used before collective nouns, as in the sentence,

• The bangles of Ferozabad are beautiful.

Rules for use The Definite Article, “The”

Rule 1. Definite article, ‘The’ is used in case of superlative degrees.

Examples: 

Priyanka is the most intelligent girl in class 12.

Ganga is the longest river in India.

Rule 2. The definite article is used as an adverb.

Examples:

The higher we climb, the cooler it is.

The sooner, the better.

The word “indefinite” indicates something not specified, definite, or distinct, and creates a sense of the general idea. “A” and “An” are indefinite articles and are used for a single noun or one thing or a single entity. Let us explain the indefinite articles with examples. OK, students, think of some examples of indefinite articles that you use daily.

• I have an orange
• I have an umbrella.
• I have an M.B.A. degree from Delhi University.
• I have purchased a table for Diwali.
• We went to Delhi by bus.
• An object is made of steel.
• He is a European.
• A university degree always matters.

After analyzing the above sentences, we understood one thing: all the nouns are singular, but they have used two different articles, “a” and “an”.

Rules to Follow in Articles ‘A’ and ‘An’: Learn to Understand English Grammar

While using articles, ‘a’ and ‘an’,  learn some rules of indefinite  articles in English. You must note that choice between‘A’ and ‘An’ is determined by Sound.

1. ‘A’ is used when a word begins with a consonant: a girl, a child, a man, a woman, a student.
2. ‘A’ is used when a vowel gives a sound of consonant: a one-eyed man, a university professor, a European, a uniform, and a a universal truth.

Rule 1. The article ‘an is used before words that start with vowels, a,e, i, o, and u, but before using ‘an’, always try to pronounce the word. If the word starts with a vowel sound, then use ‘an’.

Examples:

I purchased an elephant.

I met an artist in the function.

Rule 2. Certain words start with vowels but the sound of consonants is there. Examples: University, M.P., M.B.A., One, Umbrella, Euro, UFO, Utensil, and Uniform are the words where we always use ‘an’ instead of ‘an’.

Examples:

He is an M.P.

She has become an M.L.A. four times.

Rule 3. Words starting with consonant sounds, but the article ‘an’ is used instead of ‘a’. Some examples include hour, honest, M.P., X-ray, M.B.B.S, M.Sc., MA, N.C.C., honorable, and honorary.

Examples:

He is an M.B.B.S doctor.

He is an N.C.C. officer in my school.

Rule 4. Indefinite articles in English grammar are used before a singular countable noun when it’s used for the first time.

Examples:

I want a pen.

He bought a car.

Rule 5. Indefinite articles are used when the whole class is represented.

Examples:

An elephant has a small tail.

An orange is a fruit.

Rule 6. Indefinite articles are used when a noun is compliment to is/am/are/was/were etc.

Examples: 

She is a nurse.

Her mother was a professor.

Rule 7. Indefinite articles can be used when we buy something per kilogram or per 10 gram.

Examples: 

A car can run 120 miles per hour.

Wheat costs today is 40 rupees a kilogram.

Rule 8. Indefinite articles can be used in case of conveying the ‘same’ meaning.

Examples: 

Two of a different people seldom agree.

Birds of a feather fly together.

Rule 9. Indefinite articles are used in exclamatory sentences.

Examples:

What a fine man!

What a handsome boy!

Rule 10. Indefinite articles are used to precede ‘few’ or ‘little’

Examples:

There were only a few people when the leader reached the stage.

There is only a little water left in the pot.

Mix Examples of indefinite articles:

1. He is an M.P.
2. She is an M.B.A. from Oxford university.
3. He is a one-eyed man.
4. She is an untidy girl.
5. It is an  Umbrella.
6. She is an M.A.
7. His wife is a  European.
8. Honesty is the best policy.

Rules to Follow in Definite Article ‘The’: Learn to Understand English Grammar

• It limits the use of nouns to a particular thing. Are you going to the dance party today? Here, check, the reference is the special party, i.e., the dance party.
• The definite article, “the,” can be used before singular, plural, and uncountable nouns. 1. Do you think you’ll pass the salt?  2. Give me the red shirt. The black one is very hot. 3. Please give me the shirt and the trousers.

Can we use an article before an adjective?

Yes, you can use an article before an adjective. But it will modify the noun then.

Examples:

• She will bring a small toy to the party.
• I have an interesting story to tell you.

Avoid the Use of Indefinite Articles with Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns as the word signify which either can’t be counted or are difficult to count. Examples; Water, air, milk, butter, wood, steel, and iron. Hence, always avoid the use of ‘a’ and ‘an’ with uncountable nouns.

Examples: 

• Will you please give me some water?( Wrong)Note: Water is uncountable, hence avoid an indefinite article. Correct: Will you please give me water?
• Wrong:Steel is good to use in bridges. Correct:Steel is good to use in bridges.
• Wrong:A light is dim in this room. Correct: Light is dim in this room.

• Why are you using the my phone( Incorrect)? Therefore, avoid using the my.
• Use: Why are you using my phone?(Correct)
• Why are the you disturbing my son? ( Incorrect). Therefore, avoid using the you.
• Why are you disturbing my son? (Correct)

No Articles in English: Sentences are Without Articles

Don’t use articles in case of abstract views. They are present but invisible.

• Let’s go for the match today.: Correct
• Let’s go for a match today. Incorrect
• Innovation is welcomed everywhere. Correct
• innovation is welcomed everywhere. Incorrect
• I have never studied Hindi. Correct
• I have never studied Hindi. Incorrect

Supply articles wherever necessary: BSEH Class 12 English

(1) We buy ………. oil by the liter.
(2) ………. great Shakespeare committed grammatical errors.
(3) ………. rich should help the poor.

(4) There is ………. swimming pool in our area.
(5) Air is important for ………. life to exist.
(6) Mr. Rao is ………. Director of the Institute.

(7) ………. sky has no limits.
(8) He is admitted to ………. hospital.
(9) This ring is made of ………. gold.

(10) ………. girl in jeans is my neighbor.
(11) Martha goes to ………. church every Sunday.
(iii) Shakespeare is ………. Kalidasa of England.

(12) He is ………. one-eyed man.
(13) Keep to ………. left.
(14) Life is not ………. bed of roses.

(15) ………. Sun shines brightly.
(16) She is ………. untidy girl.
(17) Do not make ………. noise

(18) Crime is on ………. increase.
(19) She is ………. M.A.
(20) Ink is ………. useful article.

(21) It was ………. unique sight.
(22) I read ………. Gita every day.
(23) He was struck by ………. arrow

(24) …………… girl in the red dress is my sister.
(25) He gave me ..………. one rupee note.
(26) He plays ………. cricket.

(27) The box was made of ……………. wood.
(28) You must finish ……………. work in hand.
(29) I want ……………. pen.

(30) I bought …………… inkpot.
(31) He is ……………. best boy of the class.
(32) I went to ……………. university for studies.

(33) ….…… peacock is in danger of extinction.
(34) Could you get me ………. kilogram of sugar, please?
(35) Neha will go to ………. school when she is three

(36) You can take ….…… Rajdhani Express to Delhi.
(37) ………. gold you buy here is of excellent quality.
(38) She heard an old tale about ………. unicorn.

(39) He is kind to …………… poor.
(40) ..………. lunch given by you was delicious.
(41) He came here by ………. train

(42) ……………. Bible is a holy book.
(43) It is ……………. Umbrella.
(44) His wife is ……………. European

(45) A house has ……………. roof.
(46) ……………. Honesty is the best policy.
(47) She thanked me for ……………. present I gave her