#20. A Brief Introduction to Articles (A, An,The) in English Language PDF

 Lesson No: 20

A Brief Introduction to Articles (A, An, The) in English Language

Articles in English are words used in front of nouns to indicate their definiteness or indefiniteness. There are two types of articles in English: definite (the) and indefinite (a/an). "The" is used when referring to a specific noun, while "a/an" is used when referring to a non-specific noun.

There are two types of articles in English:

• Definite (the)
• Indefinite (a/an)

The Correct Use of Definite Article, (the) in writing

The definite article "the" is used before a noun to indicate that the noun refers to a specific thing or set of things previously mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge. Here are some rules and examples of using "the" in writing:

1. Use "the" before a singular or plural noun when the noun is unique or known to both the speaker and the listener:

• The sun rises in the east.
• The books on the shelf are mine.

2. Use "the" before a noun that refers to a specific geographical location:

• The Amazon is the largest river in the world.
• The Grand Canyon is a famous tourist destination.

3. Use "the" before a superlative or ordinal form of an adjective:

• The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa.
• The first person to reach the South Pole was Roald Amundsen.

4. Use "the" before a noun referring to a particular group or set:

• The poor are often marginalized in society.
• The young and the old both enjoy the park.

5. Use "the" before a noun that refers to a particular, unique event:

• The concert was amazing.
• The Great Depression had a profound impact on the world.

The Correct Use of Indefinite Articles, (a and an) in English language

The indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used before a singular noun to indicate that the noun refers to any one member of a group, rather than a specific, known item. Here are some rules and examples of using "a/an" in writing:

1. Use "a" before a noun that begins with a consonant sound:

• A dog is a loyal companion.
• A unicorn is a mythical creature.

2. Use "an" before a noun that begins with a vowel sound:

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
• An orange is a juicy fruit.

3. Use "a/an" to indicate one of a kind, or to introduce a noun for the first time:

• I saw a UFO last night.
• I have a friend who is an astronaut.

4. Use "a/an" to talk about a singular, non-specific noun:

• A car is a useful form of transportation.
• An elephant is a majestic animal.

Note: When referring to professions, use "a" or "an" before the profession, but not before the title, such as "doctor" or "teacher".

• He is a doctor. (Correct)
• He is a Doctor Smith. (Incorrect)

The Position of Articles in English Language

In English language, definite and indefinite articles are placed before a noun. The definite article "the" is used to refer to a specific noun while the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used to refer to non-specific nouns.

• The cat is sleeping. (definite article "the" referring to a specific cat)
• A cat is sleeping. (indefinite article "a" referring to any cat)
• An orange is a fruit. (indefinite article "an" used before a noun starting with a vowel sound)

Article: The

The definite article "the" is used when you want to talk about a specific thing. For example:

1. The sun rises in the east. (We are talking about a specific sun)
2. The cat is sleeping. (We are talking about a specific cat)
3. The books on the shelf belong to my brother. (We are talking about specific books)

When using the definite article, it is important to make sure that both the speaker and the listener know which specific thing is being talked about.

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