Articles

Articles

There are only three articles: the, a and an. They are very small words which cause very large problems if used incorrectly. If, for example, you wanted someone to hand you the book, but you accidentally said a book, the other person might take some time to go shopping for a book they thought you’d like. While one can never have too many books, work doesn’t get done if we go book shopping every time we need to look up a word in the dictionary. Use of an article can also change the meaning of the noun:

dinner = the evening meal

a dinner = an evening meal held for some kind of event

the dinner = a specific evening meal which was held for some kind of event

What Are Articles?

The articles in English are the (definite article), a, and an (indefinite articles).

Articles define a noun as specific or unspecific.

After the long day, the cup of tea tastes particularly good.

By using the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long, and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.

After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.

By using a, we’ve created a general statement, saying that any cup of tea would taste good after any long day.

 Uses of Articles

Articles are used to differentiate between things or ideas – usually expressed by nouns. The speaker/writer may be referring to a specific thing or idea, or a general one.

We use the to refer to specific nouns, either singular or plural.

Please hand me the book that’s on the table.

Please hand me all the books that are on the tables.

A and an are used to refer non-specific nouns.

Please hand me a book; any book will do.

Please hand me an autobiography; any autobiography will do.

Articles should be placed just in front of the noun they’re modifying. However, if the noun is also being modified by one or more adjectives, the article should go in front of the adjective(s).

Please fetch me a sweater.

Please fetch me the brown sweater.

Please fetch me the fuzzy blue sweater.

An should be used before any noun – or any adjective modifying the noun – which begins with a vowel or a voiceless H.

He is a man.

He is an ugly man.

He is an honest man.

Articles can also be used when emphasizing a point.

He had a hard time with the exam.

He had the hardest time with the exam.

Obviously, using the definite article the makes the point very clear.

 Definite Article: The

The definite article refers to a noun, either in the singular or plural. It can be used with uncountable nouns. The refers to a specific thing or quantity. It should be placed before the noun, or before the adjective which directly modifies the noun.

Please give me the hammer.

Please give me the red hammer; the blue one is too small.

Please give me the nail.

Please give me the large nail; it’s the only one strong enough to hold up this painting.

Please give me the hammer and the nail.

Indefinite Articles: A and An

The indefinite articles are used when we are referring to an unspecified thing or quantity. We use them when we don’t know (or don’t care) which thing we’re talking about.

There once was a sheep.

I don’t know which sheep it was – don’t know its name or where it’s from, or anything about it – so I can’t say the sheep.

We use a before nouns or adjectives which begin with a consonant, or when U sounds like a Y, or O sounds like a W.

A cat

A dog

A university

A young puppy

A one-eyed pirate

We use an before words which begin with a vowel sound or a soft H sound.

An egg

An hour-glass

An antique necklace

This rule also applies to acronyms.

A Society of Writers member was quoted in the article.

A S.O.W. member was quoted in the article.

An S.O.W. member was quoted in the article.

Because S sounds like it begins with a vowel (ess), an should be used in front of it.