A an the articles rules pdf

All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. What is an article?

Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns. For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book.

If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book. Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year. Therefore, we use the. For example, "I would like to go see a movie. We're talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific one in mind.

Rule 1 - Specific identity not known : Use the indefinite article a or an only with a singular count noun whose specific identity is not known to the reader. Use a before nouns that begin with a consonant sound, and use an before nouns that begin with a vowel sound. I think an animal is in the garage That man is a scoundrel. We are looking for an apartment.

Rule 2 - Specific identity known : Use the definite article the with any noun whether singular or plural, count or noncount when the specific identity of the noun is known to the reader, as in the following situations:.

I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious. The boy sitting next to me raised his hand. Thank you for the advice you gave me. Rule 3 - All things or things in general : Use no article with plural count nouns or any noncount nouns used to mean all or in general.

Trees are beautiful in the fall. All trees are beautiful in the fall. He was asking for advice. He was asking for advice in general. I do not like coffee. I do not like all coffee in general. Additional Information Regarding the Use of Articles. My cousin was seeking some advice from a counselor not advice in general or advice about everything, but a limited amount of advice.

I would love some coffee right now not coffee in general, but a limited amount of coffee. We might get rain tomorrow. Some rain would be good for the crops a certain amount of rain, as opposed to rain in general.

There are some drops of water on the table a limited number, but more than one drop. Examples of the Use of Articles.

I do not want a gun in my house any gun. The gun is in his closet implies there is a specific gun. I am afraid of guns all guns in general.

She sent me a postcard from Italy an unspecific postcard - not a letter, not an e-mail. It's the postcard that I have in my office one specific postcard.

Getting postcards makes me want to travel any postcard in general. I have a dog one dog. The dog is very friendly the dog that I have already mentioned. Dogs make great pets dogs in general. Greta needs furniture in her apartment furniture is a noncount noun.