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There are two Articles - a ( or an ) and the
A or an is called the Indefinite Article, because it leaves indefinite the person or thing spoken of; as,
a teacher; that is, any teacher
The is called the Definite Article, because it points out some particular person or thing; as,
He saw the theif; meaning some particular theif.
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| Use Of Indefinite Article : A or An |
Example |
The chioce between a and an is determined by sound. Before a word beginning with a vowel sound an is used.
Note: The words hours, honest, umbrella begin with a vowel sound.
Note: The words horse,university,European begin with a consonant sound.
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eg., an orange, an honest man, an hour, an umbrella
eg., a girl, a man, a horse, a university, a European |
The Indefinite article is used
In its original numerical sense of one;
In the vague sense of a certain;
In sense of any, to single out an individual as the representative of a class;
To make a common noun of a proper noun.
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eg., A pencil costs 2 rupees.
eg., One day a strange man knocked my door.
eg., A cow is a useful animal.
eg., A Daniel come to judgment |
| Use Of Definite Article : The |
Example |
The Definite Article the is used
When we speak of a particular person or thing, or one alreadily referred to;
When a singular noun is meant to represent a whole class;
With names of gulfs, rivers, seas, oceans, group os islands, and mountain-ranges;
Before common nouns which are names of things unique of their kind;
Before a proper noun only when it is qualified by an adjective or a defining
adjectival clause;
With superlatives;
With ordinals;
Before an adjective when the noun is understood;
As an adverb with comparatives.
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eg., I love the guy
eg., The cat loves comfort
eg., The Indian ocean
eg., The Earth
eg., The great Alexander
eg., This is the best website for English tutorial
eg., Neil Armstrong is the first man to land on moon
eg., The poor must go higher in their economy
eg., The more you desire, the more you suffer
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| Omission of the Article |
Example |
The Article is omited
Before a common noun used in its widest sense;
Before the names of materials;
Usually before proper nouns;
Before abstract nouns used in general sense;
Before languages;
Before the names of relations;
In certain phrases consisting of a transitive verb followed by its object;
In certain phrases consisting of a preposition followed by its object;
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eg., God is love
eg., Diomond is precious
eg., London is a popular city
eg., Desire is the cause of misery
eg., I prefer Spanish
eg., Mother cooks deliciously
eg., Do not give ear to rumours
eg., Learn English at home
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