7. Articles
Section outline
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Articles are words used before nouns to point out whether it’s specific or general.
Articles belong to the category of determiners.
(Determiners are words used before noun to ‘determine’ i.e. to refer to something specific or particular.)
Examples:
We went for a movie. The movie was interesting. We had an orange juice at the theatre.
There are two types of articles.
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Indefinite Articles refer to any noun & don't point to any specific or particular noun.
Use of Indefinite Articles:
1. Before singular countable nouns.
Examples:
A child, a university, an apple, an elephant, etc.
2. To show a group or class or species.
Examples:
A pack of wolves, an orchestra, a bonsai, etc.
3. To show a certain quantity.
Example: A dozen of bananas.
4. To show religion, rank or profession of a person.
Examples:
She is a Hindu.
He is a commander.
Two Indefinite articles are: 'A' & 'An'
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Article 'a' is used before singular countable nouns beginning with a consonant sound.
Examples:
A lake, a dog, a teacher, a book, etc.
Exception:
Article 'a' is used before nouns which begin a vowel when written but make a consonant sound when spoken.
Examples:
A European man, a university, a union, a unicorn, a uniform
(The above nouns begin with vowels 'e' or 'u' but makes a consonant sound 'yoo'; hence we use 'a')
A one-rupee note.
(The noun begins with vowel 'o' but makes a consonant sound 'w'; hence we use 'a')
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Article 'an' is used before singular countable nouns beginning with a vowel sound.
Examples:
An orange, an elephant, an egg, etc.
Exception:
Article 'an' is used before nouns which begin with a consonant when written but make a vowel sound when spoken.
Examples:
An hour, an heir, an honest person, etc.
(These nouns begin with a vowel sound as the sound of 'h' is silent.)
An MLA, an MP, etc.
(These nouns begin with a vowel sound 'em')
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Articles are not used:
1. Before material uncountable nouns.
Example: Sugar is sweet.
2. Before names of people, cities & countries.
Examples:
John has a new car.
Asia is the largest continent.
3. When we talk about sports & games.
Example: We are playing football.
4. Before names of languages.
Example: We are speaking in English.
5. When we talk about meals in general.
Example: I have lunch at 1pm every day.
6. Before abstract nouns.
Example: Time is money.
7. With names of days, month or week.
Example: Tomorrow is Tuesday.
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Articles 'a, an, the' are small yet important words in English grammar that tell us whether the noun is specific or general.
Article 'a, an' introduce nonspecific & article 'the' refers to specific nouns.
Thus, using articles correctly is essential for clear & effective communication in English.
In the next course, we will learn about describing nouns through adjectives!