English Article Usage

English Article Usage

2 Types:

Definite (the): The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is particular or specific. The signals that the noun refers to something in particular.

Example: The dog ate the bone. (Refers to a specific dog).

• The is also used when a noun refers to something unique.

Example: The White House.

The theory of relativity.

The 2009 state budget.

• The is always used with noncount (mass) mouns.

Example: I swam in the water.

I drank the milk.

• The is used with count nouns that are specific.

Example: I stepped into the puddle (refering to a specific puddle).

Indefinite (a/an): A and an are used with indefinite nouns. These are nouns that are nonspecific and can refer to any member of that group. They are used with singular nouns with the noun is general. Some is used when the general noun is plural.

• A is used when the following noun begins with a consonant and an is used when the following noun begins with a vowel.

Example: A boy went to the fair today. (nonspecific, refers to any boy).

An apple fell from the tree. (nonspecific, refers to any apple).

Some kids rode their bikes down the street. (nonspecific, refers to any group of kids).

• A/an is also used to indicate membership in a profession, nation, or religion.

Example: I am a teacher.

My mother is a Catholic.

She is a Korean.

• A/an is used with count nouns that are nonspecific.

Example: I saw an apple tree.

Count versus noncount nouns: Which article you use also depends on the type of noun it preceeds.

• Count nouns are those that can be counted. (For example: 1 puddle, 2 puddles, 3 puddles, etc.).

• Noncount nouns (mass nouns) are those that cannot be counted. (for example: water, milk, sand, etc.).

Other Uses:

• A/an is used to introduce a noun when it is mentioned for the first time in a piece of writing. The is used afterward each time you mention that same noun.

Example: A football game is not normally that interesting to watch, but when it was announced that the president would attend, interest in the game went up.

When to NOT use articles:

The following nouns never take an article:

• Names of languages and nationalities (American, Chinese, English, Russian, etc.)
• Names of sports (volleyball, hockey, baseball, etc.)
• Names of academic subjects (math, biology, history, etc.)