All English articles. Special cases of using articles in English

The article is a word that adds a shade of certainty or uncertainty to the meaning of a noun: "After the long conference, the mug of hot chocolate is especially good." / "After a long conference, a mug of hot chocolate is especially good." In the first case, we transfer information about a specific conference and a mug of hot chocolate. In the second, they formulated a general statement, implying that any circle will come in handy after any long conference. English has several ways of conveying this certainty, or lack of it. Let's take a closer look.

Definite article

Definite article ( definite article) is the English word " the". It seems to limit the semantic meaning of the noun. For example, your friend might ask, “Are you planning to visit the party this Monday?” - "Are you planning to attend the party this Monday?" The definite article in English communicates that a friend is referring to a certain party that is well known. The article "the" is used with plural and singular nouns, as well as with uncountable nouns. The following are some examples of the use of the definite article in context:

• Could you give me the screwdriver, please?- Could you give me a screwdriver, please?
• Give me the orange screwdriver, please. The green one is too big.- Give me the orange screwdriver, please. The green one is too big.
• Could you give me the chisel, please?- Could you give me a chisel, please?
• Could you give me the small chisel, please? That's the only one convenient enough to make holes in this plank.- Could you give me a small chisel, please? This is the only tool that works well for drilling holes in this board.
• Give me the screwdriver and the chisel then, please.- Give me then a screwdriver and a chisel, please.

Indefinite article

The indefinite article ( indefinite article) there are two main forms. First, it is a service part of speech a” that precedes a word that begins with a consonant. Secondly, it is the article " an”, used with a word that starts with a vowel. The indefinite article in English "a / an" indicates that the noun is used in a general sense, and not in a specific one. For example, you ask a friend: “Should I take a present then? “Should I bring a present then?” The friend understands that you are not asking about a specific type of gift or a specific item. "I would like to bring an almond cake. “I would like to bring an almond cake.” Again, the indefinite article indicates that no special almond cake is meant. Whether it will be homemade or bought at a local pastry shop does not matter. The indefinite article is characterized by monogamy, so it can only be found with singular nouns. Consider the following examples of the indefinite article in context:

• Could you fetch me a smartphone, please? Any of them will be fine.- Could you give me a smartphone, please? Any of them will do.
• Gimme a bottle of wine real quick now, ok? Any is good.- Give me a quick bottle of wine, ok? Any is good.

NOTA BENE: Uncountable nouns are nouns that are difficult or impossible to count. They include intangible objects(information, air), liquids(beer, rum) and things, that are too large or numerous to count(equipment, sand, wood). Since these things cannot be taken into account, never use"a" or "an". Remember that the indefinite article in English is only for singular nouns. However, uncountable nouns are used without problems with the word some.

"A" vs "an". Exceptions to use

There are a number of exceptions to the general rule of using the indefinite article before words that begin with a consonant and a vowel.

• The first letter of the word "honourable ["ɔn (ə) rəbl] - generous", for example, the consonant "h", however, it is mute (unpronounceable). Despite the spelling, the word "honourable" begins with vowel sound[ɔ]. That's why the choice of the article falls on « an". Consider the example below for illustration:

WRONG
Thomas is a honorable person.

RIGHT
Thomas is an honorable person.

Translation: Thomas is a generous person.

• Similarly, when the first letter of a word vowel, but pronounced with a consonant sound, use " a", as in the example below:

WRONG
Elizabeth was an

RIGHT
Elizabeth was a United States prime minister.

Translation: Elizabeth was the Prime Minister of the United States.

• Acronyms, initial abbreviations and cuts by first letters also obey this rule: a uk based corporation, an HR management etc.

Zero article

Sometimes articles are omitted before certain nouns. In these cases, the article is implied but not actually present. Such an article is sometimes called the zero article ( zero article). Often the article is missing before nouns that refer to abstract ideas. Look at the following examples:

WRONG
Let's have a dinner today.

RIGHT
Let's have dinner today.

Translation: Let's have dinner tonight.

WRONG
The enthusiasm is my strong point.

RIGHT
Enthusiasm is my strong point.

Translation: Enthusiasm is my forte.

Many languages ​​and nationalities are not preceded by an article:

WRONG
Mary is fluent in the Korean and the Japanese.

RIGHT
Mary is fluent in Korean and Japanese.

Translation: Mary speaks fluent Korean and Japanese.

Athletic activities, sports and academic subjects do not require an English article in front of them. For comparison, take a look at the following offers:

WRONG
Bobby is keen on the football.

RIGHT
Bobby is keen on soccer.

Translation: Bobby loves to play football.

WRONG
The literature isn't my favorite subject.

RIGHT
Literature isn't my favorite subject.

Translation: Literature is my least favorite subject.

Article + pronoun

Possessive pronouns help determine whether you are talking about a specific or indefinite subject. And although, as you already know, articles in English are used to indicate certainty, nevertheless, if you use both the possessive pronoun and articles at the same time, then the recipient will definitely come to a stupor. Possessive pronouns are words such as: my, his, her, its, their and our. English articles cannot be used in tandem with pronouns. " The" and " my"Do not use together, since both are intended for a similar purpose. The differences lie in the nuances of conveying the required value. Consider the following examples:

WRONG
Dexter is using the my tablet right now.

RIGHT
Dexter is using the tablet right now.

RIGHT
Dexter is using my tablet right now.

Translation: Dexter is currently using (my) tablet.

Article + adjective

In most cases, the article defines not only the noun, but also the adjective that precedes it. Normal word order: article + adjective + noun. If you mean the indefinite article, then the choice between " a" and " an» is based on the letter that the next word begins with.

WRONG
What a interesting magazine!

RIGHT
What an interesting magazine!

Translation: What an interesting magazine!

WRONG
Merriam will cook an banana cupcake.

RIGHT
Merriam will cook a banana cupcake.

Translation: Merriam will make a banana muffin.

Set expressions with articles

• Useful phrases with definite articles in English.

• Useful phrases with indefinite articles in English.

• Useful phrases with the zero article

So, today your piggy bank of knowledge has been replenished with the rules for using articles in English. We hope that the article turned out to be useful and to your liking and, henceforth, you will no longer experience discomfort in recognizing, and, most importantly, understanding the use of this or that article in various situations. You're welcome!

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

Articles in English indicate the definiteness or indefiniteness of a noun, in other words, it gives us an idea of ​​what subject/concept is being discussed: abstract or concrete. For a Russian-speaking person, articles cause many difficulties, because in our language they simply do not exist. However, dealing with this unknown part of speech is not as difficult as it seems.

Functions of the article

English has only two articles: a (an) and the - the first is used with indefinite nouns, and the second with definite ones. In order to better understand where and what to put it is necessary to consider each separately.

The indefinite article in English

Let's start with the indefinite article a (an). Its spelling changes depending on which letter (consonant or vowel) the noun begins, before which the article will stand.

Consonant letter: a dog - dog
Vowel: an apple - apple

The indefinite article has two features:

• used only when talking about an abstract concept or about an object that is seen for the first time;
• is used with nouns only in the singular, since the article itself comes from the numeral one (one).

The article a (an) indicates that the noun is considered not as a specific object, but as a broad concept. For example, a cup will mean some (any) piece of dishware in the form of a cup, and not your favorite cup in the form of a stormtrooper head, from which you have been drinking coffee in the morning for the second year already. Thus, the indefinite article in English is used either when we encounter an object for the first time, and we still do not know anything about it, or when we are talking about an abstract, collective concept.

The definite article in English

If you want to mention that very special morning cup in a conversation, you need the definite article the. It comes from the pronoun that (that) and is used in cases where it is known exactly which object is being discussed.

Free lesson on the topic:

Irregular verbs of the English language: table, rules and examples

Discuss this topic with a personal tutor in a free online lesson at Skyeng School

Leave your contact details and we will contact you to register for the lesson

Example: I met a man. The man was very strange - I met a man. The man was very strange.

In the first sentence, we first meet a stranger, in which case the indefinite article is placed before the word man. In the second sentence, we make a conclusion about the person we just talked about. He ceased to be unknown, which makes it possible to put the definite article the before the word man.

The definite article the can be used with both singular and plural nouns.

To finally understand the definite article, you can consider another example - the trilogy The Lord of the Rings ("Lord of the Rings"). Here, within the same name, the definite article is used twice. This is due to the fact that in both cases we are talking about specific objects: about one single ruler (Sauron) and about the only rings created by him. If the concept of "lord of the rings" meant a profession, then we could say a lord of rings, but that would be a completely different story.

Zero article, or when the article is not needed at all

The main difficulty in learning the articles of the English language is to remember in which cases they should not be used.

The noun does not always require additional clarification in the form of articles - sometimes other parts of speech take on their role. Articles are not used if:

• the noun is preceded by a pronoun (my, his, her, their, one's, this, that, etc.);
• before the noun are the words some, any, no;
• names of people or names of continents, islands, mountains;
• uncountable concept (advice, information).

Visual table about articles

As a rule, information is absorbed faster if it is considered in the form of a systematic table. We have prepared such a table for your convenience.

Understanding when and how to use articles is easy enough. But in order to remember these rules and not to think every time before pronouncing or writing another noun, practice is definitely needed.

Add to favorites

Indefinite article a/an in English (the indefinite article) has two forms:

a[ə] - used before consonants. That is, if the word begins with a consonant sound, it is used a:

a b ok, a t able, a m an, a g irl, a c computer, a t omato, a yacht [ jɒt], a unit[ ˈj uːnɪt]

an[ən] - used before vowels. That is, if the word begins with a vowel sound, it is used an:

an a pple, an e ngineer, an i dea, an o range, an a nswer, an hour [ˈ aʊə(r)]

For example, the word hour starts with a vowel, so we use the article an (an hour), although the first letter is a consonant h. Or, for example, the word yacht (yacht) spelled with a vowel y, but the consonant sound [j] is pronounced, so we choose a (a yacht). The use of different forms of the same article helps to make speech harmonious, light, natural. Try to pronounce a apple or an book and you will feel how difficult and uncomfortable it is.

Remember:

a pen(a pen), a story(story), a chair(chair), a child(child), a flower(flower)

If the noun is used in the plural form, then the indefinite article is absent. The absence of an article before a noun is commonly referred to as the "zero article".

pens(pens), stories(stories), chairs(chairs), children(children), flowers(flowers)

When the indefinite article a / an is used

Below you will find a description of the main uses of the indefinite article. a/an in English.

№1

Indefinite article a/an used when we first mention an object or person. In this case, we assume that our interlocutor does not know what or who we are talking about.

Yesterday I bought a handbag. — I bought a bag yesterday.
Up until this point, I hadn't even said that I was going to buy a bag. That is, I mention this for the first time (my interlocutor does not know anything about this bag), hence the indefinite article a/an.

If you continue to talk about this bag, then the noun handbag (bag) will already be used with the definite article the, since this time the interlocutor knows which particular bag we are talking about:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. The handbag is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. The handbag is very beautiful.

Although most often a personal pronoun is used instead of a noun, it sounds more natural and avoids repetition:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. It is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. She is very beautiful.

№2

Indefinite article a/an is used when we are not talking about a given (specific) object or person, but simply about any, about some, about one of a group of the same objects or people. In other words, when we talk about an object or a person in general, not meaning a specific skirt, work, handle or dog:

I want to buy a skirt. — I want to buy a skirt. (some kind of skirt, I don’t know which one yet; I only know that I want a skirt, not a dress)
He refused to look for a job. He refused to look for a job. (any job)
give me a pen, please. - Give me a pen, please. (any, any)
It is a dog. - This is a dog. (some dog, any dog)

When we are not talking about a certain object or person, but about any, then further, if we need to re-designate it, we do not use personal pronouns or the definite article the. Again, we use the indefinite article a/an or pronoun one.

She wants a car but he says they don't need one. She wants a car, but he says they don't need it.
or
She wants a car but he says they don't need a car. She wants a car, but he says they don't need a car.
She wants to have a car (not a motorcycle, not a bicycle, but some kind of car, so a car), but he says that they do not need a car (they do not need any car at all, and not some specific one). Since in the second part of the sentence we are again talking about any / indefinite machine, we again use a car.

№3

Indefinite article a/an we also use to describe or give some information about what has already been mentioned before. In this case, an adjective is often used before the noun. Note that although the article comes before the adjective, it refers to the noun:

It is a beautiful place. - This is a beautiful place. (describe what this place is)
He is a clever boy. - He is a smart boy. (characterize what kind of boy he is)
Do you live in a big house? — Do you live in a big house? (we ask which house)

When we talk about a person's profession or work, we also use the indefinite article a/an:

She is a teacher. - She is a teacher.
I am a doctor. - I am a doctor.

№4

Historically indefinite article a/an derived from the numeral one (one). Hence the possibility in some cases to replace the article a/an numeral one. Such a substitution is possible when the article a/an essentially means "one". For example, this meaning of the indefinite article is observed in numerals a hundred (one hundred), a thousand (thousand), a million (million) and in the word a dozen (dozen) when they are used alone or before a noun:

This toy costs a thousand rubbles. = This toy costs one thousan d rubbles. This toy costs a thousand rubles (one thousand rubles).
give me a dozen, please. = Give me one dozen, please. - Give me a dozen, please (one dozen).

It is with the origin of the numeral one (one) and the meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article is connected, which is especially evident when expressing measures of time, distance, weight or quantity:

This chocolate bar costs a dollar. This bar of chocolate costs a dollar. (=one dollar, we can replace a dollar on the one dollar)
I'll call you in an hour. - I'll call you in an hour. (=in one hour, we can replace an hour on the one hour)
Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? — Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? (=one kilogram, we can replace a kilo on the one kilo)

Please note that the numeral one instead of the article a/an should only be used if you want to emphasize that you are talking about exactly one thing or person, that is, when you want to be very precise:

I have got one sister. - I have one sister. (not two sisters, not three, but only one)
I have got a sister. - I have a sister. (in this case, I'm just reporting that I have a sister)

The meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article can be seen in some stable phrases that convey the one-time action:

have a look- take a look
have a snack- have a snack
have a try- try, try
have a rest- relax
have a good time- have a good time
give a chance- give a chance
give a hint- hint
give a lift- give a ride
make a mistake- make a mistake
play a trick- play a trick

№5

Indefinite article a/an also used when it is necessary to indicate the quantity per unit of measure. For example, when we talk about the price of oranges per kilogram, the amount of wages per month, the number of lessons per week, or the speed of a car per hour. The noun denoting this very one unit of measurement will be used with the indefinite article.

The oranges were 80 rubles a kilo. - Oranges cost 80 rubles per kilogram.
She works 8 hours a day. She works 8 hours a day.
I go to aerobics twice a week. — I go to aerobics twice a week.

№6

Indefinite article a/an can also be used with some uncountable abstract nouns (for example, humor - humor, hatred - hatred, anger - anger, magic - magic) when they carry an adjective. Usually such use of the indefinite article is characteristic of the book style and expresses the author's desire to emphasize the individual, special character of this or that abstract concept.

Note that in the case described above, the use of the indefinite article is optional. If you do not want to emphasize in a certain way the special character of any emotion, character trait, etc., the article a/an may not be used.

On a note

To learn how to use the indefinite article a/an more or less automatically, try forming this rule in your head: use the indefinite article with singular countable nouns when there is no other reason to use the definite article the or some other determiner (possessive or indefinite pronoun).

The scourge of all Russian speakers is articles. While this is clear and obvious to any European, it always seems to our brother that the British deliberately invented such short words to confuse and mislead. But everything is much simpler than it seems.

Yes, in English (and almost any other) language, a noun does not exist without some kind of qualifying word. Whether it will be an article, an adjective, a pronoun is not the point. The main thing is that Tamara and I walk in pairs, a noun needs a pair: acat, mycat, thatcat, bigcat.

Now the good news: there are only two articles. Uncertain a and certain the. However, there is another variation - an. But this is a purely phonetic feature: one cannot say aapple(try it yourself - the feeling of stuttering is guaranteed), that's why they say anapple. And now a few nuances.

3.1.1 The indefinite article(The Indefinite Article)

It is used when it is not important / unknown (underline as necessary) what subject is being discussed:

Take a pen. - Take a pen.

This means that you are simply asked to take a pen. No hidden meanings or hints. Compare:

Take the pen.- Take THIS/THAT pen.

Here it is already clear that you need to take a certain pen and no more. For example, the one that writes worse (so that she gets better).

The indefinite article was formed from the numeral one(one), and not at all from the first letter of the English alphabet that came across, as you might think. Therefore, it is easy to remember that you need to use it ONLY with a countable noun in the singular (you will not say that you have one money). Such an article indicates a CLASS of objects, without highlighting any particular object.

I have got a dog.
But: I have got dogs.

3.1.2 Definite article(The Definite Article)

Unlike its counterpart, it was formed from demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those). Therefore, it can be used with both plural and singular nouns.

The man is rather angry. This guy is pretty mean.
The bus near the green house is not yours!- That bus near the green house is not yours!
Thegirlsinourgrouparesokind. - The girls from our group are so kind. (meaning the girls from the group)

3.1.3 Indefinite articleversusdefinite

On the one hand, it seems that everything is clear even from the name of the article: indefinite for a certain subject, and definite for a specific one. However, there are nuances.

When we use the indefinite article:

. The noun is part of the nominal predicate (calm! You can, of course, rummage through Wikipedia. But it’s enough to know at least that after any of the forms of the verb tobe, tohave the article is used a)
Iamateacher. This is a lamp. There is a dress in her hands. She was a beautiful girl.

. Meaning "one".
I need an hour to be ready. - I need 1 hour to be ready.
Ican’ tsayaword. - I can't say a single word.

. The noun denotes a class of objects/living beings/people. Usually translated as any/any.
Astudentcangetupquicklywhenhereallyneedsit. - Any student will get up quickly in the morning if he really needs it.
A child will be happy to have a new toy.- Every child will enjoy a new toy.

. Before the name of the profession.
My father, a teacher of German, is rather furious today.

. In exclamatory sentences and amplifying constructions after what, such, quite, rather:
She is such a pretty girl! She is so pretty!
What a nasty child! What an impossible child!
It was quite a nice day. The day was pretty good.

When we use the definite article:

If it is clear from the situation that we are talking about a specific subject.
Look at the woman! Her dress is so bright!- Look at that woman. Her dress is so bright!
Whereisthebook?!! - Well, where is (this) book?
Take the flowers and go away!- Take your flowers and get out!

If the conversation has already mentioned this object.
When I came home there was a woman in the hall. Later I found out that the woman was my aunt. When I got home, there was a woman in the hall. Later I learned that this woman is my aunt.

If there is a clarification/definition that distinguishes an object from others.
The car of my boyfriend is not good enough.- My friend's car is not so good.
showmetheletterinyourhands! - Well, show me the letter that is in your hands.

If the object is one of a kind: thesun, theEarth.

If you need to designate the entire class of objects at once:
The cat is independent.- A cat is an independent being.
The apple-tree grows in Russia as well.- Apple trees grow in Russia too.

3.1.4 When we do not put ANY article(zero article) :

Before uncountable abstract nouns.
I appreciate kindness. I appreciate kindness.

Before plural nouns, when in the same situation the article would be put in the singular a.
There are books on the table. There are (some) books on the table.

Before proper names (names, surnames, cities, streets, continents, islands):
I live in Kiev. America was found in 1492.

But! Before oceans, seas, rivers, waterfalls, straits, countries in the plural (for example, the Philippines), countries with the words union / federation / kingdom / republic, as well as groups of islands / lakes, the:
The Netherlands, the Russian Federation, the Black Sea, the Atlantic Ocean.

Before the names of the days of the week, months, seasons.
I like winter.
Let's go there on Friday

When the recipe for vinaigrette in the head, mixed with articles, is finally known, we offer the dish to chew well. Once again, in simple words and illustrative examples, we focus on the key points in the use of definite and indefinite articles.

Exhaled? Did you get confused? You can check by taking a test on this topic and many others. Let's test and practice :)