1) The document discusses the uses of the articles "a", "an", and "the" in the English language.
2) It examines the differences between singular countable nouns, non-countable nouns, plural nouns, and how articles are used with each.
3) Special cases and idioms involving articles are also discussed, including prepositional phrases that can take articles or have no article.
2. The two articles are the and a. The may be used with a singular or a plural noun, a
is generally used with singular countable noun. Each of the articles undergoes a
change before a word beginning with a vowel sound (The changes in
pronounciation, a changes in both pronounciation and spelling.
The chief structural function of articles is a determiners that precede nouns.
However, they differ from other determiners is one important respect (They do not
have the additional power of serving alone as pronouns).
3. A. A vs The vs No Article
A. Articles with Singular Countable Nouns
The choices will be examined in this section represent some of the most basic uses
of the article
If we compare this sentence :
I need________furniture
I need________chairs
I need________chair
We see that only the singular countable noun chair in the third sentence requires
an article, either a or the depending on the meaning intended. Although no article
is necessary with the noncountable furniture or with the plural chairs in the other
two sentences, it is possible to use the to particularize the nouns, or some to
quantify the nouns in these sentences.
The article is required with a singular countable noun even when a description
adjective accompanies the noun ( I need a new chair ).
4. B. No article with Noncountable Nouns
Because of its meaning of singularity, a does not generally accompany nouns used
in a noncountable sense.
Noncountable nouns that are unrestricted by following modifiers frequently also
occur without the
1. Noncountable concrete nouns (Babies need to drink milk). The is omitted
especially in general statements
2. Noncountable abstract nouns :
The is omitted even if these noncountable nouns are preceded by
descriptive adjectives. Ex :
- I like to drink fresh milk
- She’s studying American history this year
5. B. Uses of A
A is traditionally called the indefinite article. Its alternate form an is used before
words beginning with vowel sounds (An apple, an obstruction, an ink bottle, an
hour, an honor, an heir, an honest man) words beginning with silent H
A is used in a general statement to classify a noun. In this use, a points to any
representative of a class from any other specimen in the same class. A occurs most
often in a statement about one event, ex :
> He ate an apple
> A prize will be given to the best student
> A man is here to see you
This is a true indefinite of a. Such indefinite use is far more common than any
other use of a.
- A signaling one specimen
- that Represents a class
A is used in general statement to classify a noun.
6. C. No Article
We have already seen that the article is not used :
1. In general statements, wich noncountable and plural nouns that do not have
post-modifiers
Milk is good for children
Children should eat eggs
2. With many place names-continents, countries, cities, lakes, streets, park-
Europe, Japan, Paris, Lake Geneva, Fifth Avenue, Central Park.
Further usage that don’t require the article are given below
a. No article with names of holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) but
The Fourth of July
b. No article with name of magazines (Life, Vogue, Punch, Holiday) but The
Reader’s Digest, The Saturday Review of Literature
c. No article with nouns denoting certain places in the environment
d. No article with names for most phsycal ailments or disorders
7. D. Special Idioms with A, The, or No
Article
Many idioms involving the use of articles take the form of verb plus objects, or of
prepositional phrases
Verbs Plus Objects
Object with ( a )
after make Make a fool, make a difference, make a living, make a
remark, make a point of
after take Take a trip, take a break, take a picture, take a vacation,
take a look at
after other verbs Do a favor (or a job, a service), become a reality, tell a
lie, play a joke (or a trick)on, call a halt
Object with ( the ) Make the beds, clear the table, wash the dishes, tell the
truth, play the fool
Object with ( no article ) Make friends, beg pardon, make haste, make
conversation, take care of, take heart, take revenge, talk
shop, talk sense, play football (or any other ball games),
etc.
8. Prepositional Phrases
Object with ( a ) In a hurry, as a rule, as a result, for a long time, as a
matter of fact
Object with ( the ) By the way, in the long run, in the least, at the mercy of,
on (the) one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary,
on the whole
Object with ( no articles )By hand, by heart, by mistake, by train, by accident, in
addition, in fact, in front of, in case (of), in trouble, in
general on purpose, on occasion, on foot, at last, and at
times
Many phrasal prepositions having the form preposition + noun + preposition also
occur without an article (on account of, with regard to, in comparison with, on
behalf of, in addition to, by means of).