What is an Article?
An article is a short single syllabic word that is used to denote whether the noun is specific or not in a
sentence or in any context. The articles are normally used before nouns, because the main function of an
article is to speak about the noun, sometimes they can be considered as adjectives. The article in other
words known as the Determiners as they describe the noun is specific or non-specific. The following
passages will give elaborate explanations for the same. There are three articles in English – ‘a’, ‘an’ and
‘the’. These articles are classified as two different types, namely
Types of Articles
Definite Article
Indefinite Article
Definite Article
The article, ‘the’ is said to be the definite article among three articles. It is used to determine something
which is specific or particular. Sometimes, the definite article is also used before plural nouns and also in
front of superlative degree of comparison. Additionally the definite articles also used before collective
nouns.
For example:
The Sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
In the above sentence, the nouns ‘Sun’, east and ‘west’ are proper nouns and are also specific and so the
definite article ‘the’ is used.
The children are playing cricket.
In the above stated sentence, the definite article is used to determine the plural noun, ‘children’ in a
particular context.
This is the world’s longest river.
In the above sentence, the definite article is used to denote the superlative degree of comparison.
The mob has sung along with the band.
In the above mentioned sentence, the definite article is used before the collective nouns, ‘mob’ and
‘band’.
Indefinite Article
The articles ‘a’ and ‘an’ are termed as indefinite articles. An indefinite article, by its nature suggests that it
is used to indicate something that is not definite and specific. It is mostly used before singular nouns in a
sentence or a context.
It should be noted that among the indefinite articles, ‘an’ is used before singular nouns that start with
vowel sounds and ‘a’ is used before singular nouns that begin with consonant sounds.
For example:
Kannan ate an apple for breakfast.
Does Robert have an eraser?
The people saw an aeroplane
Ms. Anne has a pet cat.
My father is a doctor.
My brother gave me a calculator.
The articles ‘a’ and ‘an’ are termed as indefinite articles. An indefinite article, by its nature suggests that it
is used to indicate something that is not definite and specific. It is mostly used before singular nouns in a
sentence or a context.
It should be noted that among the indefinite articles, ‘an’ is used before singular nouns that start with
vowel sounds and ‘a’ is used before singular nouns that begin with consonant sounds.
For example:
Kannan ate an apple for breakfast.
Does Robert have an eraser?
The people saw an aero plane
Ms. Anne has a pet cat.
My father is a doctor.
My brother gave me a calculator.
Where and How to use Articles and Points to be Remembered
When Using Articles
It is significant to note that the articles are used extensively in English language, and for this very reason,
it is important to know where to use and where not to use the articles. Turn the look at the following in
order to have a thorough knowledge of how to use the right articles in the right places.
A or An?
The article ‘an’ is on the whole used before words that begin with vowel sounds. However, it incurs a
larger confusion among the people that it can be used before words that start with a vowel on only the
vowel sound. Here are a few examples for the better clarity regarding the usage of the article ‘an’.
I have an umbrella.
This is an orange.
An elephant was crossing the road.
In contrast, there are many words such as ‘university’ and ‘unique’ starting with a vowel; however, those
words do not have a vowel sound but a consonant sound ‘yu’ in the beginning. It is because of this
reason that the indefinite article, ‘a’ is used instead of ‘an’.
Studying in a university will give you a lot of exposure.
This is a unique way of communicating with birds.
Nevertheless, in the examples given below, ‘an’ is used before ‘MBA’ and ‘hour’ though they are words
starting with consonants but with word ‘MBA’ starts with ‘m’ which has a vowel sound (em) in the
beginning. Likewise, the ‘h’ in the word ‘hour’ is silent, thus having a vowel sound in the beginning.
I have completed an MBA degree.
It took an hour to reach the airport.
Exceptions
There are many words in English starting with a vowel, but needed to use ‘a’ instead of ‘an’. They are the
following;
One
University
Unique
Uniform
Unit
Eucalyptus
Utensil
Euro
UFO
On the other hand there are many words starting with a consonant, but needed to use ‘an’ instead of ‘a’.
They are the following;
Hour
Honest
Hourly
MBA
MBBS
MA
MSc
MMR
MCom
MLA
NCC
Honorary
X-ray
Xmas
At the same time it should be closely noted that there are also some cases in which it is important to use
the indefinite article ‘a’ before a common noun and the definite article ‘the’ in front of a referred common
noun. The following set of sentences will help to understand how this works.
Example 1: My brother and my sister went for a wedding reception. The reception was held in an open
lawn at 5 p.m.
Example 2: The people saw a dog at the end of the street. The dog came running towards them.
Example 3: I watched a movie yesterday. I felt that the movie was too slow.
11 KEY RULES FOR ENGLISH ARTICLES
Rule 1 – Using appropriate form
The form for articles is: article (+ adjective) + noun
A kitchen.
A large house.
The red box over there.
Rule 2 – Using indefinite articles for non-specific nouns
I’m going to ask ‘a’ friend to come with me – It could be any friend, I don’t mind or I
haven’t yet decided.
I’m waiting for ‘an’ answer – I don’t know what the answer will be, but I expect ‘an’
answer of some kind.
Rule 3 – Using Definite Article for Concrete Nouns
The definite article ‘the’ is used when the noun is specific. There is only one definite article
that is ‘the’. The can be used with singular, plural and uncountable nouns.
The Prime Minister of India. (singular)
The cars outside my home are blocking my driveway (plural)
Can you pass me the sugar that’s on the table (uncountable)
Rule 4 – Using A before a Consonant Sound
The article ‘A’ is used before a noun starting with a consonant sound and also before
adjectives those start with a consonant sound.
I wish to buy a car
I would like to buy a beautiful house in the heart of the city. (The
adjective beautiful starts with a consonant sound so we use a).
My son is studying in a university (u is a vowel but the sound is a y consonant sound
so we use a).
Rule 5 – using ‘An’ before a vowel sound
Article ‘An’ is used before a noun starting with a vowel sound
Mr. Akilan is an honest man. (The ‘h’ is silent so the first sound of the adjective is an o;
a vowel sound so we use an).
An epic journey. (The adjective is a vowel sound so we use an).
The boat hit an iceberg. (The noun is a vowel sound so we use an).
Rule 6 – Avoiding articles before Standard Place Names, Nationalities and
Languages
Normally article is not used for standard place names, nationalities and languages.
My parents are going to London for the summer holidays.
New York is a cost effective city.
My favourite State is Tamil Nadu in India.
The students speak Japanese and French.
My brother is Tamil but has married an American
Note: It is important to be aware that when the nationalities are used in noun phrases, you
will use an article (an American- means a woman from America).
Rule 7 – Using THE with Grouped Place Names
Generally the article ‘THE’ is used before when the place name describes the type of place
or a collection or group of places.
The United Kingdom.
The Lake District
The Scottish Highlands
The Russian Federation.
The Republic of France.
The Balearic Islands.
The Republic of France
Rule 8 – Avoiding articles for nouns describing Abstract Ideas
Articles are not used if the nouns that we are using refer to abstract Ideas. It basically
means that something is being spoken about in a general sense.
Companionship (in general) is wonderful.
Without creativity (in general) we would have no art.
We go out for dinner to a restaurant every Saturday. (Dinner here is an abstract idea, a
general concept regarding the main meal of the day rather than describing food).
My father showed great bravery in the face of difficulty.
Rule 9 – Omitting Articles with uncountable nouns when describing a General
Concept
The indefinite article is never used in front of any uncountable nouns which are
difficult and impossible to count. Uncountable, by nature itself describes a general
group and general idea about the uncountable noun.
Ms.Roche likes music ( likes music in general, nothing specific)
Gilbert drinks a lot of water (He drinks water in general, no specific type).
Excessive consumption of sugar is bad for health. (A general fact about sugar).
Generally the youth enjoy watching football and cricket (youth enjoy these sports as
a general concept rather than any specific match).
An additional noun is used to turn an uncountable noun into a countable option.
For example, he drinks water could become, he drinks a glass of water.
I like to watch cricket becomes I like to watch a Match of Cricket.
Rule 10 – Using ‘THE’ with uncountable specific nouns
The Definite article ‘the’ is used wherever the uncountable noun is defined or specific.
He ate the food she brought him.
He spilled the sugar he was carrying all over the floor.
Get out of the water, it’s dirty.
I love the music you’re playing.
Rule 11 – Use or Omit article for locations to change meaning
The meaning of a sentence containing a location noun is changed by either by using or
omitting the definite article ‘the’. In this context it is describing a specific building or a
specific location.
On the contrary, the definite article ‘the’ is omitted, when the situation is describing an
activity that is being attended.
Some examples:
I am going to the church – (I am going to the building that is a church. I am going there
for a reason but it may not be to worship, it may be because it’s a beautiful building or
I’m meeting someone there).
I am going to church – (I am going to worship at a church.)
I am in hospital – (I am ill and in a medical facility being cured.)
I am in the hospital – (I am visiting a specific hospital building. I’m probably not ill and
just visiting the place for another reason.)
My son is at university – (My son is studying for a formal qualification at a university.)
My son is at the university – (My son is at a specific university building and he is there
for reasons other than study. Maybe he’s visiting friends or for another reason.)