×

Courses

Chapters

>
<

English

Articles | CrackEase

Articles

Rules for Articles

Articles are words that define whether a noun is specific or general. They are ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’. Here are the basic rules:

  • a – used before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a book).
  • an – used before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple).
  • the – the definite article; used when the noun is specific or already known to the listener/reader (e.g., the book).

Examples:

The girl from the team is short.

Using 'the' shows we are talking about a specific girl from that team.

A mobile phone from Apple is costly.

Using 'a' refers to any (non-specified) mobile phone from Apple.

The Definite Article
the article

1 – The definite article is ‘the’.

2 – It identifies a specific noun (one that is known to the speaker and listener).

3 – Use ‘the’ when both the speaker and listener know which person, place or thing is being referred to.

4 – ‘The’ can be used with singular, plural, and uncountable nouns.

Example: “Are you going to the competition this year?” — here ‘the competition’ refers to a particular competition that both people know about.

The Indefinite Article

1 – The indefinite articles are ‘a’ and ‘an’. Use 'a' before words that start with a consonant sound and 'an' before words that start with a vowel sound.

2 – Indefinite articles refer to a non-specific or general instance of a noun.

Examples: “Should I wear a pair of jeans to the party?” — any pair of jeans (not a specific one). “Why don’t you wear an ankle-length pair?” — refers to a general ankle-length pair.

a and an
Rules for Articles: Using Indefinite Article ‘a’ & ‘an’

Rule 1:

Use a/an with singular common nouns when the noun is non-specific. Plural nouns generally do not take a/an; use the if you want to specify.

Examples:

  • I have an apple. (some apple, not specified)
  • I ate pineapple at home. (no article needed for the mass noun here)
  • I have eaten the apples again. (refers to specific apples)

Rule 2:

Choose between a and an by sound (not strictly by the first letter). Use an before vowel sounds, and a before consonant sounds.

  • a university (starts with a consonant sound 'yu')
  • an hour (starts with vowel sound 'our')
  • a one-man army (starts with consonant sound 'w')

Rule 3:

Proper nouns normally do not take articles, but when a proper noun is used in a general or figurative sense it may take an article.

Examples:

  • He regards himself as a Shakespeare. (meaning: a writer like Shakespeare)
  • She thinks her house is a palace. (figurative use)

Rule 4:

Use a/an to mean “one” or “each” when that sense is intended.

Examples:

  • I am a half hour late for the meeting. (one-half hour)
  • I have a dog. (one dog)
  • The plane travels 10 miles an hour. (per hour)

Rule 5:

Indefinite articles are commonly used before adjectives that describe a singular countable noun.

Examples:

  • He is a good boy.
  • What a nice car!
  • She is a brilliant student.

Rule 6:

'A' can precede certain determiners and quantifiers (e.g., a few, a little, a lot of). The phrase many a is a special idiomatic construction followed by a singular noun and verb.

Examples:

  • I have a few pens on the table.
  • There is a little water in the bottle.
  • Many a man tried to rescue the dog, but none could. (notice the singular verb after "many a")
Footer Content | CrackEase
→
←