Basic rules about usage of articles in English

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Article in the English
Language
By Sviatlana Abbasava

2. Today we are going to learn:
1. What is an article?
2. Articles in English
3. The definite article the and its usage
4. The indefinite article a/an and its usage
5. The difference between a/an
6. Cases when we do not use articles
7. Practical task

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What is an article?
 An article is a word used to
modify a noun, which is a
person, place, object, or idea.
 An article can technically be
called an adjective, which is any
word that modifies a noun.
Adjectives modify nouns
through description, whereas
articles are used instead to point
out or refer to nouns

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Articles in English
 There are two articles in English:
definite article = the, indefinite
article = a,an.

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The definite article the
 We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows
exactly what we are referring to:
1. Because this object is unique or there is only one:
The Pope is visiting Argentina.
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System.
Who is the president of Belarus?
2. With a superlative adjective:
He is the tallest boy in the class.
Russia is the biggest country in the world.
3. With musical instruments:
He has been playing the piano for 10 years.
I would like to play the guitar.

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Geographical use of the
There are some specific rules for using the with geographical nouns.
Do not use the before:
 names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, the Netherlands, the Dominican
Republic, the Philippines, the United States
 names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miami
 names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St.
 names of lakes and bays: Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie except with a group of lakes like the Great Lakes
 names of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains like the Andes or the
Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn
 names of continents (Asia, Europe)
 names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains like the Aleutians, the
Hebrides, or the Canary Islands

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The indefinite article a/an
 A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example:
When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant. (a single, non-specific thing, in this case an elephant)
I want a cat for Christmas. (a single, non-specific)
 When the noun is countable:
I want an apple.
Pass me a glass of water, please.
 When we indicate membership in a group:
He is a doctor.
My dad is an engineer.

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The difference between a and an
Usage of a or an depends on the first sound of the next word:
 a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a
car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
 an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an
elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
 a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a
user (begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a
university; a unicycle
 an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour
 a + nouns starting with a pronounced "h": a horse
 In some cases where "h" is pronounced, such as
"historical," you can use an. However, a is more
commonly used and preferred.
A historical event is worth recording.

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Omission of articles
There are some common types when nouns don't take articles :
 Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian
(unless you are referring to the population of the nation: The Spanish are known
for their warm hospitality)
 Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball
 Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer science

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Let’s complete an easy exercise!
Choose the correct article: a, an, the or -(no article)
1. Are you coming to…party next Saturday?
2. I bought…new TV set yesterday.
3. I think…man over there is very ill. He can't stand on his feet.
4. I watched…video you had sent me.
5. She was wearing…ugly dress when she met him.
6. I am crazy about reading…history books.
7. She is…nice girl.
8. Do you want to go to…restaurant where we first met?
9. He is…engineer.
10. He thinks that…love is what will save us all.

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Thank you for attention!