Articles

What are Articles?

Articles categorise a noun as specific or unspecific and singular or plural. It acts much like adjectives. An article appears before the noun it accompanies.

Types of Articles

There are two types of articles:

Definite articles: the

Indefinite articles: a, an

Definite Article: the

In the definite article, "the" is used for nouns that are known by you and the person you are speaking to. In the following examples, you will notice that the is used regardless of whether or not the noun is plural or uncountable.

General Rules

Before that, let's understand some rules to follow before using a definite article:

→ It is used before a word that refers to a specific place or thing or something/ someone that has already been mentioned. 
→ It is also used to denote a particular class or kind of something.
→ It is used before the names of rivers, seas, oceans, deserts, mountain ranges, gulfs, holy books, historical monuments and important events.
→ It is used before the names of countries that have plural names or if the name contains words like republic, emirate, kingdom, or state.
→ It is also used to refer to a particular community.
→ It is used with the name of some specific diseases.
→ It is also used with unique things like the universe and the world.
→ It is used with the names of directions.
→ It is used with the names of inventions.
→ It is used with the names of musical instruments.

Examples:

→ The majestic mountain range that spans across five countries is known as the Himalayas.

→ The renowned scientist discovered the elusive particle that had long puzzled researchers.

→ The ancient civilisation that thrived along the banks of the Nile River left behind remarkable artefacts.

→ The innovative technology developed by the company revolutionised the way people communicate globally.

→ The historic castle, standing proudly on the hill, has witnessed centuries of political intrigue and battles.

→ The endangered species that inhabits the dense rainforests of South America is the golden lion tamarin.

→ The masterpieces displayed in the Louvre Museum attract millions of art enthusiasts from around the world.

→ The groundbreaking research conducted by the team led to a significant advancement in medical science.

→ The intricate details of the ancient manuscript, written in a forgotten language, captivated linguists and historians alike.

→ The picturesque island, surrounded by turquoise waters, is a popular destination for vacationers.

→ The mysterious phenomenon observed in the night sky turned out to be a rare celestial event.

→ The medieval cathedral, adorned with stunning stained glass windows, is a testament to the architectural marvels of its time.

Indefinite Articles: a and an

In Indefinite articles, "a" and "an" are used in English to refer to non-specific or unidentified items.

Use of "A"

→ It is used before a singular common noun.
→ It is used before a word begins with a consonant sound.
→ It is used before a word that begins with "eu" or "u" but is pronounced as "you".

Use of "An"

→ It is used before a word begins with a vowel sound.
→ It is used before an abbreviation that has a vowel sound. 
→ It is used before a word that begins with a silent "h".

General Rules

Before that, let's understand some rules to follow before using indefinite articles:

→ It is used in exclamatory sentences.
→ It is used to refer to 'per'.
→ It is used with some words like, hundred, dozen, couple, thousand and million.
→ It is used with words like quarter and half.
→ It is used when a verb is used as a noun.
→ It is used with words like 'many, rather, such, quite' are followed by a singular noun.
→ It is used with certain phrases like in a hurry, tell a lie, make a noise, keep a secret, take an interest, in a fix, in a nutshell, etc.
→ Indefinite articles are not used with uncountable nouns.
→ If before an adjective the words like 'so, too, as, how, quite' are used, article a/an is used.

Examples:

→ A persistent entrepreneur continued to pursue a dream of creating an innovative product.
→ An ambitious scientist conducted a series of intricate experiments to unravel the mysteries of quantum mechanics.
→ After attending a captivating lecture on astrophysics, she developed a profound interest in exploring the vastness of the universe.
→ An elusive artist crafted extraordinary sculptures from recycled materials.
→ The archaeologist uncovered a hidden chamber beneath the ancient ruins, revealing an undiscovered civilization.
→ Despite facing numerous challenges, a resilient athlete remained committed to achieving excellence in her chosen sport.
→ An enigmatic writer penned a novel that delved into the complexities of human relationships and societal norms.
→ In a bustling city, an enterprising chef introduced a unique culinary experience that combined diverse flavours and cultural influences.
→ An aspiring musician composed a symphony that seamlessly blended classical and contemporary elements.
→ After stumbling upon a rare manuscript, a dedicated historian embarked on a journey to decipher its cryptic contents.
→ A resourceful explorer discovered a previously unknown species of flora in the remote rainforests of South America.
→ Despite encountering scepticism, a visionary inventor persisted in developing a groundbreaking technology that revolutionised communication.
→ An intrepid astronaut embarked on an exploratory mission to investigate anomalies in the cosmic landscape.
→ An enterprising journalist uncovered a web of corruption within the political system, exposing a scandal of monumental proportions.
→ Intrigued by the enigmatic painting, an art connoisseur embarked on a quest to unravel the artist's mysterious life and inspirations.

Omission of Articles

The omission of articles refers to situations where words are intentionally left out. There are certain cases in which articles are omitted:

→ We generally do not use articles with the names of countries. 
→ Articles are not used with the names of languages, diseases, etc. 
→ We do not use articles with words like heaven, hell, God, or parliament.
→ Articles are not used with 'northern, southern, western and eastern'. 
→ When the name of a building or monument contains two words and out of which one word is the name of a place or a person, articles are not used with such names. For example,
Victoria Palace, Norwegian Airport, London Zoo, etc. 
→ Articles are not used with names of months, days, meals, subjects, roads, hobbies and games.