Articles Three articles Two types of articles a) indefinite articles and b) definite articles Learn to use articles when, where and how definition, examples and rules are given in easy way to understand and remember.

1. English Grammar
Articles
Rajashri Bhairamadgi

2. Articles
a
an
the

3. What is an article ?
— An article is an adjective.
— Like adjectives, articles
modify nouns.

4. Types of Articles
Indefinite
Article
Definite
Article
a, an the

5. Indefinite articles: a or an
— Refers to a non-specific noun
E.g.
1. The children are singing a song.
(no specific song)
2. The artist is drawing a picture.
(no specific type of picture)

6. When to use ‘a’ ?
— Before words that begin with consonants-
e.g. a cat, a pencil, a bag, a game
— When ‘U’ makes the same sound as the ‘Y’ in you-
e.g. a uniform, a used plate
— ‘O’ makes the same sound as ‘W’ in won-
e.g. a one-eyed monster

7. When to use ‘an’ ?
— Before all words that begin with the vowels ‘a’, ‘e’, ‘i’,
‘o’, ‘u’
e.g.
an egg, an ice-cream,
an ant, an umbrella,
an orange an apple
— Before silent ‘H’
e.g. an honest man, an honourable person

8. Definite article: the
— It refers to specific or particular nouns
1. I enjoyed participating in the volleyball competition.
(It refers to a specific competition played)
2. I enjoyed watching the puppet show.
(It refers to a specific showwatched)

9. When to use ‘the’ ?
— Names of rivers, oceans and seas
e.g. The red sea, The Indian ocean
— Points on the globe/ countries/ states/cities/ islands/
continents
e.g. The equator, The India, The Andaman and Nicobar
— Deserts and forest
e.g. The Thar desert
— The parts of the world
e.g.The middle east

10. Self check
1. I want __ apple from that basket.
2. __ church on the corner is progressive.
3. I borrowed __ pencil from your pile of pencils and pens.
4. One of the students said, “__ professor is late today.“
5. I bought __ umbrella to go out in the rain.

11. Thank you