Let us learn English Grammar.

1. Articles.
Voiced & compiled by
Nageswar Rao. A
English Teacher
Courtesy
K.V. Madhusudan
Resource Person (English)

2. Articles
(1) Definite (the) (2) Indefinite (a & an)
BASIC CONCEPT
A is used before consonant sounds.
Weakened form of the
demonstrative ‘that’: Two ways of
An-before vowel sounds and unaspirated.
pronunciation (before vowel and
‘h’- It generalises.
consonant sounds). Used before
Ex: a cow; a boy; a European/uniform/
both the sounds. It points out or
union/unique / unitary / united/universal/
particularises. Proper / Material /.
usual/university/utilitarian /one eyed man/
Abstract nouns can become
year / yearly/hotel
common nouns with its application.
an elephant /umberella /heir/heiress
This is the end of the news:
/heirloom/honest/honesty/honorarium/
pronounced differently
honorary/honour/honourable/honoured/
Kalidasa is the Shakespeare of
hour/hourly.
India.

3. A / An
Where used Where omitted
Countable nouns: living creatures, plants; Mass nouns: denoting material.
material, objects; natural features; rivers; Rice is a cereal. Wine tastes sour.
lakes; hills, seas….., salaries; rewards;
punishments; penalties; Exceptions: I want a white wine (= a bottle)
Bombay is a city. He earns a high salary. Let’s have a coffee. (=a cup of coffee)
Take a copper for it (= a copper coin)
Proper nouns: Identity unknown Proper nouns: Known identity
A Rama Rao came to see you. N.T. Rama Rao was a famous cine actor.
Abstract nouns: qualified variability. Abstract Nouns : General
You shouldn’t have such a nasty philosophy of Philosophy is an absorbing subject.
life. Music is universal
Professions and occupations Designations – Official capacity – Titles.
My brother is a teacher. He was elected Prime Minister of India.
I hope to be a doctor. He was appointed President of the club.
I have never known so wet a/such a wet (Titles):King and queen followed by names
summer. Queen Elizabeth-II; Pope John
a few = a small number; none/all expected Few = A small number; more expected.
A few people gave the right answer. Few people gave the right answers.
(Positive in meaning) (I had hoped for more)
A little time to spare = (we are not so short of (negative in meaning)
time). Little time to spare (not so much as we should
like)

4. (The Definite Article : The)
Where used Where omitted
Particular kind of substances. Substances if used in a general sense
The gold mined here is of poor quality. Gold: bread; sand, grass, meat, milk
Meals- social function; idea of food. Meals – general; possessive adjective
The dinner will be held at the Taj. When do you have dinner?
We enjoyed the breakfast she gave us. It’s time I gave this dog its dinner.
Plural nouns: particular Plural nouns: general
The books you gave me are useful. Books are essential to a student.
Countries made up of smaller units. Games, countries, languages
The U.S.A, the Philippines; the U.K. Chess : India ; China French Telugu
The kingdom of Macedon; The Republic of Exceptions: the Sudan; the Transvaal
South Africa / India.
Road (Optional) (The) Rashtrapthi Road
road : the road that leads to Road, street, Avenue, crescent, lane,
Take the Kakinada road. square
Trafalgar Square; Red Cross Street.
The inhabitants of a country - collective
The Indians; the Chinese The inhabitants of a country; Individually
The Englih; the French; the British. Indians have dark skins.
The Spanish, the Irish. Englishmen; Frenchmen, Britons
Spaniards; Irishmen

5. Where used Where omitted
Mountain ranges: The Himalayas Single mountains/hills: Everest; Mont Blanc
Exceptions: The Matterhorn, The Jungfrau
Scientific inventions: the electric bulb.
Musical instruments:the guitar, the flute Jazz, Pop Music , on trumpet
Most Magazines: Frontline; Observer; Probe
News papers:The Hindu, The Indian Express
Rivers: Canals, seas, oceans, valleys, deserts,
forests; the Ganges/the Pacific ….
The generic singular; The tiger is a big cat. Man – representing human race.
Municipal / govt. departments. Universities: Central University
When begun with personal names
Shops: business houses, industrial Lloyds’ Bank. Salar Jung Museum
concerns; banks & local stations: the
Ministry of Education, Exceptions: The Albert Hall; the Usher Hall
The Erode station:The university of
Hyderabad. A means of travel : by train / bus
Ships: trains:the Gitanjali Express
Seasons (optional): summer,winter
Parts of the day: All the morning/after noon/
evening /week

6. Where used Where omitted
Secondary purpose: Primary purpose : go to prison/work/
I went to the school to talk to the Head Master. school/hospital/ church.
He was taken to hospital = admitted
with the comparative. Exception: He goes to the office by scooter
The higher we go, the colder it grows. Newspaper headlines, notices, posters etc
She is the elder of the two sisters. telegrams, instructions, dictionary entries, lists,
notes, All the above are special styles.
Before the superlative adjective.
She is the best sports woman. Common expressions without articles.
All day : all night
With an adjective: Plural to /at/from school/college/university/work
The rich should help the poor. to/at/in/into/from church; to/in/into/out of bed/
prison/hospital; to /at sea; to/in from town /at night
Common expressions of Nature at/from home; for/at/to breakfast/lunch/dinner /
the town: the country, the sea, the seaside. the supper;
mountains; the rain; the wind; by car/bus/bicycle/plane/ train/tube/boat: on foot
go to sleep; watch television (TV): on TV.
Unique things:
the sun (shine), the earth, the moon
Common nouns out of proper names Proper nouns Kalidasa, Bombay
Bombay is the Manchester (= the greatest cloth
centre) of India.
Abstract nouns : particular Abstract Nouns: general
The life of Srinatha is very sad in the end. Life is the gift of God.

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