The document discusses the use of articles in the English language, defining them as demonstrative adjectives that point out nouns. It describes the two types of articles: indefinite articles ('a' and 'an') used for non-specific nouns, and definite articles ('the') used for specific nouns, providing numerous examples and rules for their correct usage. Additionally, it outlines cases where articles are omitted altogether in English constructions.

1. Mahatma Gandhi Arts, Science & Late N. P. Commerce College,
Armori, Dist. Gadchiroli
Class :- B. A. – I (Sem. – I)
Subject :- Compulsory English
Topic :- Articles
- Prepared By -
Asst. Prof. Anil P. Raut

2.  ARTCLES :-
 Articles are also known as Demonstrative Adjectives because they
are used to point out the nouns.
 There are three articles in English language.
A. An, The
 Let us examine the following sentences:
(1) Give me the red rose (Definite Article)
(2) Give me a red rose. (Indefinite Article)
(3) Give me an apple. (Indefinite Article)
 The articles are used before nouns. We can classify them into two
types :
(I) Indefinite Article
(II) Definite Article

3. (I) Indefinite Article :-
 A and An are the Indefinite Articles. The use of these articles are dependent on
the sound of the first letter of a word.
 To understand this we have to analyze the alphabets of English language. There
are 26 Alphabets in English language.
 Among these 26 alphabets a, e, i, o, u are called vowels and remaining 21
alphabets are called consonants.
 The article A is used with those nouns starting with a consonant letter or sound.
(Sound is more important.)
Examples :
A house, A man, A car, A university, A unicorn.
 The article An is used with those nouns starting with a vowel or its sound.
(Sound is more important.)
Examples :
An orange, An umbrella, An egg, An honest man, An hour.
 It is the sound that matters more in the selection of these articles(A/An).
 A and An are used only for singular (s) nouns.

4.  Uses of the Indefinite articles :-
(1) We use A/An before a singular countable noun.
Examples :
(i) A woman is driving the car.
(ii) Mahatma Gandhi was an honest man.
(2) We use A/An when we like to express joy, horror, surprise etc.
Examples :
(i) What a wonderful day!
(ii) What an extraordinary man!
(3) We use A/An to express speed, quantity etc.
Examples :
(i) We can store a litre of water in this bottle.
(ii) The train was going at 150 kilometers an hour.

5. (4) We use A/An before some numbers.
Examples :
(i) A couple of shells.
(ii) A hundred rupee note.
(5) We use An to express a vague (unclear) sense in some important situations.
Examples :
(i) A man came to help me when I was in trouble.
(ii) A lady with roses in hands greeted us.
(6) We use A/An to make a common noun of a proper noun.
Examples :
(i) A Bhagat Singh is needed to save our nation.
(Bhagat Singh = a very brave man)
(ii) Every girl should become a Jhansi ki Rani.
(a Jhansi ki Rani = a very brave woman)

6. (II) Definite Article :-
 The article The is called Definite article, because it speaks of some particular person
or thing. This article can be used for both singular as well as plural nouns.
Examples :
The boy, The girl, The children.
 Uses of Definite Article :-
(1) We use ‘The’ with singular and plural nouns to denote something particular.
Examples :
(i) Some of the boys are absent today.
(ii) Let us go to the school.
(2) We use ‘The’ when a singular noun represents a whole class.
Examples :
(i) The cow is a useful animal.
(ii) The rose is the sweetest of all flowers.
(3) We use ‘The’ with the names of rivers, seas, oceans etc.
Examples :
(i) The Ganga is a holy river.
(ii) The Himalaya lie to the North of India.

7. (4) We use ‘The’ before the names of certain books.
Examples :
(i) The Ramayana.
(ii) The Bible.
(iii) The Kuran.
(iv) The Gita.
(5) We use ‘The’ before some special and unique common nouns.
Examples :
(i) The sun.
(ii) The sky.
(iii) The stars.
(iv) The earth.
(6) We use ‘The’ before an adjective, when it qualifies a proper noun.
Examples :
(i) Ashoka the great.
(ii) The great Ceasar.

8. (7) We use ‘The’ with superlatives.
Examples :
(i) Titanic is one of the best movies.
(ii) Mango is the sweetest of all fruits.
(8) We use ‘The’ before certain numbers like first, second, third etc.
Examples :
(i) I remember the first day at my college.
(ii) This is the third time I am warning you.
(9) We use ‘The’ before musical instruments.
Examples :
(i) The flute
(ii) The Piano

9.  Omission of the Article :-
The article is not used in the following cases :
(1) Before proper nouns :
Example :
(i) Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India.
(2) Before titles followed by a proper noun :
Example :
(i) President Kennedy was assassinated.
(3) Before common nouns in the plural number used in a general sense :
Examples :
(i) Boys are generally naughty.
(ii) Dogs are faithful animals.
(4) Before common nouns in the singular number used in their widest sense :
Example :
(i) Man is mortal, God is immortal.

10. (5) Before material nouns used in a general sense :
Examples :
(i) Gold is a valuable.
(ii) Cotton is cultivated on a large scale in Maharashtra.
(6) Before abstract nouns used in a general sense :
Examples :
(i) Honesty is the best policy.
(ii) Wisdom is the gift of heaven.
(7) Before the names of subjects :
Examples :
(i) Mathematics is a very interesting subject.
(ii) Logic is not taught in all schools.
(8) Before superlatives, when they are not used to compare the qualities :
Examples :
(i) He knows best.
(ii) That is best.

11. (9) Before places of assembly such as Church, School, Market, College, Hospital,
University etc. when these places are visited for their primary purpose :
Examples :
(i) We go to school to study.
(ii) We visit church to pray.
(10) Before the names of sports :
Examples :
(i) My brother plays cricket.
(ii) I like to watch tennis.
(11) Before uncountable nouns when used generally :
Examples :
(i) Coffee and Tea are bad for health.
(12) Before names of seasons :
Examples :
(i) Winter is the best time to visit south India.
(ii) I like Spring season.

12. (13) Before the nouns indicating relations like father, mother, aunt etc :
Examples :
(i) My father is a wise man.
(ii) My mother is very kind.
(iii) Uncle Sam is very hardworking.
(14) Before the noun ‘home’ :
Examples :
(i) Go home.
(ii) Stay at home.
(15) Before the names of professions :
Examples :
(i) Engineering is a very creative professions.
(ii) Teaching is a very tough job.
(16) Before years :
Example :
(i) We got freedom in 1947.

13. (17) Before languages :
Examples :
(i) I am studying English.
(ii) I can understand Marathi.
(18) Before the names of week, days and months :
Examples :
(i) Sunday is a holiday.
(ii) January is a very pleasant month.

14. Thank
You