Which word is the definite article a the an

TIP Sheet
DEFINITE AND INDEFINITE ARTICLES

In English there are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known. There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.

As a guide, the following definitions and table summarize the basic use of articles. Continue reading for a more detailed explanation of the rules and for examples of how and when to apply them.

Definite article

the (before a singular or plural noun)

Indefinite article

a (before a singular noun beginning with a consonant sound)
an (before a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound)

Count nouns — refers to items that can be counted and are either singular or plural

Non-count nouns — refers to items that are not counted and are always singular

For the purposes of understanding how articles are used, it is important to know that nouns can be either count (can be counted) or noncount (indefinite in quantity and cannot be counted). In addition, count nouns are either singular (one) or plural (more than one). Noncount nouns are always in singular form.

For example, if we are speaking of water that has been spilled on the table, there can be one drop (singular) or two or more drops (plural) of water on the table. The word drop in this example is a count noun because we can count the number of drops. Therefore, according to the rules applying to count nouns, the word drop would use the articles a or the.

However, if we are speaking of water in general spilled on the table, it would not be appropriate to count one water or two waters — there would simply be water on the table. Water is a noncount noun. Therefore, according to the rules applying to noncount nouns, the word water would use no article or the, but not a.

Following are the three specific rules which explain the use of definite and indefinite articles.

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.

• Use the article a or an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.

I think an animal is in the garage
That man is a scoundrel.
We are looking for an apartment.

• Use the article a or an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one).

I own a cat and two dogs.

• Use the article a before a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound.

a boy, an apple

◊ Sometimes an adjective comes between the article and noun:

an unhappy boy, a red apple

• The plural form of a or an is some. Use some to indicate an unspecified, limited amount (but more than one).

an apple, some apples

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:

• Use the article the when a particular noun has already been mentioned previously.

I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious.

• Use the article the when an adjective, phrase, or clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts its identity.

The boy sitting next to me raised his hand.
Thank you for the advice you gave me.

• Use the article the when the noun refers to something or someone that is unique.

the theory of relativity
the 2003 federal budget

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

• When indicating an unspecified, limited amount of a count or noncount noun, use some.

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).

• Noncount nouns are those which usually cannot be counted. Following are some common examples:

◊ Certain food and drink items: bacon, beef, bread, broccoli, butter, cabbage, candy, cauliflower, celery, cereal, cheese, chicken, chocolate, coffee, corn, cream, fish, flour, fruit, ice cream, lettuce, meat, milk, oil, pasta, rice, salt, spinach, sugar, tea, water, wine, yogurt

◊ Certain nonfood substances: air, cement, coal, dirt, gasoline, gold, paper, petroleum, plastic, rain, silver, snow, soap, steel, wood, wool

◊ Most abstract nouns: advice, anger, beauty, confidence, courage, employment, fun, happiness, health, honesty, information, intelligence, knowledge, love, poverty, satisfaction, truth, wealth

◊ Areas of study: history, math, biology, etc.

◊ Sports: soccer, football, baseball, hockey, etc.

◊ Languages: Chinese, Spanish, Russian, English, etc.

◊ Other: clothing, equipment, furniture, homework, jewelry, luggage, lumber, machinery, mail, money, news, poetry, pollution, research, scenery, traffic, transportation, violence, weather, work

• Geographical names are confusing because some require the and some do not.

◊ Use the with: united countries, large regions, deserts, peninsulas, oceans, seas, gulfs, canals, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of islands

the Gobi Desert
the United Arab Emirates
the Sacramento River
the Aleutians

◊ Do not use the with: streets, parks, cities, states, counties, most countries, continents, bays, single lakes, single mountains, islands

Japan
Chico
Mt. Everest
San Francisco Bay

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).
She is going to select the furniture that she needs (the specific furniture that she needs).
She hopes to find some furniture this weekend (an unspecified, limited amount of furniture).

We are going to see the Statue of Liberty this weekend (the only Statue of Liberty).

What is an Article? 

The word A, An/The says Article. According to Modern English Grammar, Article comes/called Determiners, which are used before Nouns.  If an adjective comes before Noun then use the Article before the adjective. 

If  Noun comes before an Adjective and an Adjective comes before Adverb then we use the article before the Adverb.
These are some Examples
Sita is a girl.
Sita is a very good girl.
Sita is an ideal girl.
Sita is an intelligent girl.
This is the horse.
This is the strongest horse.

In many situations Articles come after such as All, Both, Such, Double, Half, Rather, etc.
These are some Examples
All the boys.
Such a woman.
half an hour.
Double the amount.

If the Adjective comes before Noun and How/so/too/as comes before the Adjective, then the article comes middle of the adjective & Noun. Such as How/so/too/as + adjective + a/an + noun are these serial.
These are some Examples
How fine a day.
too proud a girl
It is so fine a day!
How brave a warrior was he!  

Definite and Indefinite Articles.

There are two types of Articles:-
1. Definite Articles- The
2. Indefinite Articles- A/An

What are Definite Articles?

Definite Articles says “The”. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that personal, certain, or former acquaintance; which has already been discussed and well-acquainted speaker and audience. In other words, The uses were to denote certain metals/persons/animals. The is used with countable Nouns (Singular noun & Plural noun) and uncountable nouns.

Uses of Definite Article

1. Before a Noun
We use ” The ” when we talk about something that has already been referred to in the prior sentence, we use “The”.
Example:
   A cat got in honor of our dog today. The dog wins the battle.

2. Already Noun Knows to the User
When the user already knows the thing you are talking about, at such places use “The”. Instead of describing that thing since it is known to the user. 
Example:
   “Mr. Micheal is wearing a suit at the party.” In this example, a person already knows about the party to which the other person is referring in this sentence, and thus used “the” to refer to the party.

3.Before Unique Nouns 
“The” will always refer to Universal things Like The Sun, The Moon, The Arabian Ocean, The Bermuda Triangle, The Eiffel Tower, The Himalayas, etc. All these Universal things or Places are certain and would not change. So you use “The” to refer to such things.

4.Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjective is used for Definite Nouns and to describe some special and unique. 
Example:
   My mother cooks the Best North Indian Food in Society.
   At 3307 ft. Height, Burj Khalifa Tower is The Tallest tower in the world.
   Here “Best” and “Tallest” are the superlative adjectives, and thus we used “The” before them.

5.Before Adjectives are Used as Nouns
When you are talking about some advice or duty, we also use “The” in such places.
Example:
   The government should do something for the jobless people.
Here Jobless People are used both as a noun and adjective, that’s why we used “The” before it.

6.Proper Nouns
With Proper Nouns such as Nation’s Name, Plural names of nations, some titles, some associations, some structures, papers, masterpieces, explicit family names, mountains, waterways, oceans, gatherings of islands, and deserts, that use “the”.
Example:
The Indian sea, The Bay of Bengal, The Netherlands, The Caspian, The United States of America, The Taj Mahal, The Times of India, The Suez Canal, The Bay of Bengal, and The Guptas. 

7. With Nationalities
When we talk about any nationality, we must use “the” before it to emphasize that word. 
Example:
   The Mughals and The British controlled India for a long time.
Regardless of whether nationality is in the plural. Like: 
   The Indians.
   The Chinese.
   The Americans.

8. Mentions of Services and Systems
   Switch on the television to watch the newest show.
   We must go to the police station to report the crime.
   You should take this to the buyer’s court.

9.Comparative Proclamations 
When we compare two things with each other motivational advice or something else, must be used “in such a sentence. 
Example:
   The more he works, the more he will be successful.
   The more we travel, the more we shall fall in love with Nature.

General Rules / Tricks to use “The” Definite Article
• Use them for things that have been mentioned already. 
• Use when there is something unique, even if not mentioned already.
• Use them when we are expressing a statement for a particular person or object.

What are Indefinite Articles?

The indefinite article says “A/An”. Because it does not refer to a particular person or thing, but rather to an indefinite person or thing. 
Uses of Indefinite Article-
1. Before Singular Countable Noun (Common noun & Collective noun)
2. If the adjective or adverb +adjective comes before Noun then A/An is used according to comes closest word.
Example:
She is a girl.
She is an extremely beautiful girl. 
3. If word sounds start with vowel sounds, then use “An”. If a word sound starts with a consonant sound then use “A”.
4. Some words are starting with vowel letters but it is not necessary its sound starts with a vowel sound.
5. “A/An” is used in the sense of one or anyone.
Example:
I saw a Boy.
A farmer had three sons.
6. “A/An” using before rate, weight, and speed indicators.
Example:
Grain sells for eight rupees a kilo.
The car runs sixty kilometres an hour.
7.  “A/An” comes before count pointers.
Example:
A couple, A dozen, A hundred, A thousand, etc.
I have a hundred rupees.
He has a dozen bananas.

Definite and Indefinite Articles Examples

Definite Articles Examples:

• The dog is a faithful pet.
• The pen is Japanese.
• Govind is the tallest boy in the class.
• Who invented the radio?
• Mahendra will play the violin.
• Ramesh missed the last train for his hometown.
• Where is the headmaster?
• The Congress party is the national party.
• Mr Narendra Modi is the prime minister.
• Rakesh goes to the office at 10.

Indefinite Articles Examples:

•  A lion killed a deer.
• An apple grows on a tree.
• Mr Ramshanker Katherina is an M.P.
• They filled an F.I.R.
• You are a Shakespeare.
• He is a Sachin Tendulkar.
• We walk Five kilometres an hour.
• Radha ran without an ambarella.
• Mr Shanky is a doctor.
• An Elephant killed a man.

Difference Between Definite and Indefinite Articles 

Definite and Indefinite Articles Exercise 

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate articles in the following sentences:

1. I am …… honest boy.
Ans: An

2. …… milk was very tasty.
Ans: The

3. ……. milk of this cow is very sweet.
Ans: The

4. ……. Coffee was hot.
Ans: The

5. This is ……. interesting story.
Ans: An

6.  You are ….. Indian.
Ans: A

7. …….. Hour is enough to finish my work.
Ans: An

8. Have you ….. two rupee notes?
Ans: A

9. It was ….. one-sided game.
Ans: A

10. He is ….. university professor.
Ans: A

11. Ramu is ….. one-eyed boy.
Ans: A

12. You are ….. B.A.
Ans: A

13. He is ….. M.A.
Ans: An

14. It was ….. unique sight.
Ans: A

15. Are you …… I.A.S.?
Ans: An

16. He is ….. F.O.
Ans: An

17. Are you …… forest officer?
Ans: A

18. …… girl I meet yesterday has come today.
Ans: The

19. ……. gold of India is not very yellow.
Ans: The

20. ……. water of this well is pure.
Ans: The

21. ……. watch was old.
Ans: The

22. I have ….. watch.
Ans: A

23. I lost ……. watch you gave me.
Ans: The

24. ……. Ram of ….. Ramayan is …… ideal personality.
Ans: The, The, An

25. …….. horse is …… useful ….. animal.
Ans: A/The, An

26. ……. Indian Nation was …..important daily.
Ans: The, An

27. …… TajMahal is …. historical building.
Ans: The, A

28. …… man you met yesterday is ….. very bad man.
Ans: The, A

29. ……. coffee was very good.
Ans: The

30. …… Ramayan is ….. religious book of …… Hindus.
Ans: The, A, The

FAQ’s

Que 1. What are the 4 definite articles?

Ans. In English grammar there, are three articles: a, an, and the. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader/listener. In Spanish, we have to choose between four definite articles: el, la, Los, and las. Which one we choose depends on the noun which follows. All nouns (including words for things) are either masculine or feminine: this is called their gender and they can also be either singular or plural.

Que 2. What are the 2 types of articles?

Ans. There are two types of Articles:-
1. Definite Articles- The
2. Indefinite Articles- A/An

Que 3. What is the difference between definite and indefinite tenses?

Ans. We use indefinitely to mean non-specific. Indefinite is general. We use definitely to mean specific.

Que 4. What are the 3 indefinite articles?

Ans. There are three indefinite articles in English – two for the singular form (a, an) and one for the plural form (some).

Использование артиклей вызывает существенные трудности у всех, кто пытается освоить английский язык, ведь в русском языке артиклей нет, а в английском они не имеют самостоятельного значения, в их применении слишком много правил и исключений. 

Неопределенный артикль — The indefinite article

В английском языке существуют две формы неопределенного артикля (indefinite article) a and an. То какой артикль использовать, зависит от первой буквы слова, которое следует за артиклем. Если слово начинается с согласной буквы, а также u и eu (если они произносятся с использованием согласного звука / j /), то используется артикль а. Если слово начинается с гласной буквы (a,e,i,o,u) или с немой буквы h, то используется артикль an.

E.g.,

A dog

A table

An arm

An engineer

An old man

An ugly woman

A European  (согласный звук /j /)

A union  (согласный звук /j /)

An hour (немая буква h)

A house

Неопределенный артикль используется только с исчисляемыми существительными в единственном числе, если речь идет об одном человеке или предмете, еще неизвестном читателю или собеседнику, если человек или предмет упоминается впервые:

He bought a book yesterday.

There is a telephone in the room.

Неопределенный артикль употребляется, если мы хотим показать, что человек или предмет принадлежит к определенному классу или группе, перед названиями профессий и титулов, национальностей и религий.

My brother is an engineer.

This is a dictionary.

Ricardo is an Italian footballer.

Mary is a buddhist.

Неопределенный артикль употребляется, если речь идет о всяком, любом представителе определенного класса людей или предметов.

A child can understand it (=All children)

A triangle has three sides (=All triangles)

Неопределенный артикль употребляется в восклицательных предложениях перед исчисляемыми существительными в единственном числе, стоящим после «what» and «such»:

What a shame !

She is such a clever girl!

What a lovely day!

Неопределенный артикль не используется в таких же предложениях с существительными во множественном числе и неисчисляемыми существительными:

These are such interesting books. (= plural noun)

Have you ever seen such weather? (= uncount noun)

Неопределенный артикль используется в значении «один» и относится к единичному лицу, предмету или единице измерения:

I’ll come in an hour.

He didn’t say a word.

He bought one kilogram of sugar.

You can’t run a mile in 5 minutes.

He has won a thousand pounds.

Неопределенный артикль используется в следующих фразах и выражениях:

We use the indefinite article in the following phrases and expressions:

A lot of

A great deal of

A great number of

A few

A little

To have a cold/headache

To have a good time

To be in a hurry

For a short (long) time

Определенный артикль — The definite article

Слово»the» — самое частоупотребимое слово в английском языке. Определенный артикль произошел от указательного местоимения «that».

Определенный артикль «the» используется, если оба собеседника знают, о ком или о чем идет речь, или если предмет разговора уже был упомянут ранее. 

Please close the window.

When I entered the room, I saw a man. The man was very old. 

Определенный артикль используется, если человек или предмет являются единственными в своем роде или единственными в данной ситуации:

Show me the letter which was received yesterday.

The earth is millions of miles from the sun.

Dad, can I borrow the car?

Look at the girl over there.

The president will be speaking on TV tonight.

Определенный артикль используется перед прилагательными в превосходной степени, порядковыми числительными и названиями десятилетий:

He is the tallest boy in the class.

This is the third time I have visited him.

He was born in the seventies.

This is the best wine I have ever drunk.

Определенный артикль используется с названиями морей, рек, горных цепей и групп островов, с названиями стран во множественном числе или если название включает в себя слова «Республика», «Королевство», «Штаты», «Федерация», «Эмираты»:

I have never been to the Netherlands.

He is from the Republic of Ireland.

I will go on a cruise down the Pacific Ocean.

They are travelling in the Sahara Desert

Определенный артикль используется с существительными в единственном и множественном числе, если речь идет о целом классе объектов (например, богатые, бедные, пожилые, безработные, члены одной семьи):

The pineapple grows in southern countries.

Life can be very hard for the poor.

The Browns have left Paris.

Определенный артикль используется с существительными во множественном числе, если речь идет о всех представителях данного класса.

Give me a list of the members.

Определенный артикль используется в определениях со словами same, very, last, following, next, only:

He is the very person I need.

This is the only book I have.

Определенный артикль используется с собственными именами существительными (названиями зданий, музеев, произведений искусства, памятников, газет, гостиниц и ресторанов):

He works for the New York Times.

They would like to visit the Eiffel Tower.

We ate at the Royal Oak.

Определенный артикль используется в следующих фразах и выражениях:

In the morning/in the evening/in the afternoon/in the night

The day before yesterday/the after tomorrow

To tell the truth

On the other hand

On the right (left)

Нулевой артикль — The zero article

Артикль не используется (или используется в нулевой артикль) в большинстве названий стран (кроме перечисленных выше), с названиях языков, имен людей и титулов, если они стоят вместе с именем.

My father’s name is John.

He lives in China.

She was born in Germany

I speak French.

Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth’s son.

Артикль не используется с большинством названий городов, улиц, магазинов, вокзалов, аэропортов, отдельных гор, озер и островов:

They’re flying into Gatwick.

New Street Station is in the centre of Birmingham.

Can you go to Asda for me?

Артикль не используется со словами school, college, hospital, university, and government, class, prison and camp, если они имеют значения института, а не конкретного здания:

She was taken to hospital.

Нулевой артикль используется с существительными во множественном числе или если речь идет о предметах именно данного класса:

Boys like to play football.

They packed the goods in bags and boxes.

Нулевой артикль используется с неисчисляемыми существительными, с названиями «завтрак», «обед» или «ужин». 

Did you have breakfast this morning?

Milk is often added to tea in England.

Нулевой артикль используется с названиями видов спорта, игр, видов деятельности и профессий:

I love swimming.

I’ll probably study engineering.

Нулевой артикль используется с датами:

I was born in 1985.

Нулевой артикль используется с названиями дней недели, месяцев, времен года, праздников, времени суток:

on Monday

in March

in summer

at Christmas

at noon

at night

at midnight

Нулевой артикль используется в следующих выражениях и фразах:

At work

At home

At school

At first sight

By train, bus,plane etc

By sea, by land, by air

By mistake

By chance

By heart

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