The document provides a comprehensive guide on the usage of articles in English grammar, detailing the types of articles (definite and indefinite), their proper applications, and the contexts in which they should or should not be used. It also includes tips on common errors associated with articles, alongside explanations of exceptions and specific cases involving proper nouns and geographical names. Lastly, the document aims to enhance understanding and usage of articles for improved clarity in communication.

1. 10 TIPS on USING ARTICLES
Grammar Rules and Tips for using Articles

2. What is an Article?
Article: used before Nouns or Noun phrases to limit or define them.
Types Of Articles:
i) Definite Article: ‘The’ points out a particular person or thing, in the
sense of ‘this’ or ‘that’.
Example: Give me the book. (‘that’ specific book)
ii) Indefinite Article: ‘A’ and ‘An’ refer to non-specific, singular person or
thing, in the sense of ‘one’ or ‘any’.
Example: Give me a book/ an orange. (any book or orange)
A: used when the next word starts with a consonant, or before words
starting in ‘u’ and ‘eu’ when they sound like ‘you’. ( a boy, a uniform)
An: when the next word starts with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or with a mute ‘h’.
(an apple, an hour)

3. Usage of A, An
To refer to something for the first time: Would you like a cup of coffee?
With names of jobs: Jyoti is a doctor.
With identities (nationalities and religions) in the singular: John is an Englishman.
When referring to a day of the week but not a specific day: I was born on a Thursday.
To refer to an example of something: The mouse had a tiny nose.
With singular nouns after the words 'what' and 'such’: What a lovely day!
Referring to people when there is vagueness: A Mr. Gupta is going to come.
When referring to a singular object or a single unit of measure: I’d like an orange and
two lemons, please.
When a singular countable noun represents a class of things, persons or animals: A son
should be obedient.

4. Usage of The
Something which has already been mentioned: The thief has not been caught yet.
When there is just one of something in a place: Where is the bathroom?
In sentences or clauses that define or identify a particular person or object: The man who
wrote this book is famous.
Before the choices in comparative degree: He is the poorer of the two brothers.
Before proper nouns which are unique: We went to the Taj Mahal.
Before dates: He was born on the 10th of May.
Give the meaning of an abstract noun to a common noun: It brought out the beast in him.
As an adverb in a comparative sense: The sooner you come, the better.
Before superlatives and ordinal numbers: This is the highest building in Delhi.

5. Cases where articles should not be used
With the names of meals: A Dinner is my favorite meal.
Before uncountable nouns: He gave me the advice.
Before hobbies, professions or sports: A Gardening is her hobby.
Before titles when combined with names: The Prince Charles is a Queen Elizabeth's son.
With years: The 1978 was a wonderful year.
Before collective nouns in the general sense: A Life is a struggle.
Before noun complements: The board appointed him the captain.
Before proper nouns: A Gold is good for investment.
Before common nouns or abstract nouns: An Honesty is the best policy.

6. Tips on using Articles

7. Country Names: Generally, definite
article is not used with country names.
The India is a great country.
Use ‘the’ with countries whose names
include words like kingdoms, states,
republic:
He lives in the United States of America.
Use ‘the’ with countries which
have plural nouns as their names:
Manila is the capital of the Philippines
Tip #1: Names of
countries
Geographical features: Definite article is
used before mountain ranges, groups of
islands, rivers, seas, oceans and canals.
The Himalayas are the largest mountain
range in the world.
No article is necessary before Singular
names of countries or territories, cities,
towns, states, streets, lakes, bays,
mountains, continents, islands, languages,
sports, academic subjects.
The highest mountain in the world is the
Mount Everest.
(Everest is a single mountain and not a
mountain range, so no definite article is
used before it)
Tip #2: Specific
geographic locations

8. People’s Names: usually no article is
used before peoples names or proper
nouns.
Example:
The Harishchandra is a legendary king.
But ‘A or An’ is used to make a common
noun from a proper noun to express
some quality associated to it.
He is a Harishchandra when it comes to
keep his promises.
(here ‘harishchandra’ represents a
quality like ‘utmost honesty’)
Tip #3: Proper Nouns
Tip #4: For a Walk, In a
Hurry, A Million
Noun acting as verbs: Indefinite
articles are used before nouns but they
can be used before verbs when the
verbs are acting as nouns.
Words denoting numbers: ‘A’ is also
used before words denoting numbers
like-a million, a dozen.
Phrases: Indefinite articles are also
used in certain phrases like -in a hurry,
have a mind, make a noise.
I have told you a dozen times not to go
for a walk in a hurry.
(here, ‘walk’ is a verb acting as a noun,
so ‘a’ is used before it, like we say –for
a talk, for a swim etc.)

9. Tip #5: Little, A Little,
The Little
Tip #6: Few, A Few, The
Few
Little: means not much (i.e., hardly any)
and has a negative meaning.
There is little hope of his recovery. (There
really isn’t much hope)
A little: means some though not much and
has a positive meaning. Used with
uncountable nouns.
There is a little hope of his recovery. (There
is some hope of recovery)
The little: means not much, but all there is.
The little knowledge of carpentry that he
possessed stood him in good stead.
Few: means hardly anyone and has a
negative meaning.
I have few enemies. (I really don’t have
any enemies)
A few: means small in number but not
many either.
I have a few enemies. (I have a small
number of enemies)
The few: means not many, but all there
is.
The few days I had spent in Darjeeling
were very pleasant.

10. Language and Origin: Definitive and
indefinite articles are used with certain
words depending on their function.
French is spoken in many countries.
(here ‘French’ implies a language, so no
definite article is used before it)
He is a French national. (‘French’ is a
adjective)
The French are a courteous people. (here
‘French’ represent a community)
The French Revolution changed the course
of history. (‘the’ is used before revolutions,
events, dynasties, empires etc.)
Tip #8: French, A French,
The French
Tip #7: Singular vs plural
forms for ordinals
Ordinals: These are words that express
position or rank in sequential order. E.g.
first, second etc.
If there is an article before each
ordinal, use the singular noun.
The second and the third chapter is
easy.
If there is one article only before both
ordinals, use the plural noun.
The second and third chapters are easy.

11. Repetition or non repetition of articles
in a single sentence changes the
meaning :
1. She has a black and white saree. (she
has only one saree which is partly black
and partly white)
2. She has a black and a white saree. (she
has two sarees, one black and one white)
3. The Secretary and Treasurer was
present there. (one person who is both
Secretary and Treasurer )
4. The Secretary and the Treasurer were
present there. (two separate persons,
one Secretary and the other Treasurer)
Tip #9: Repetition of
articles
Use and absence of ‘the’:
We are staying at the Ritz Hotel. (‘the’ is
used before names of hotels, pubs,
restaurants etc.)
We had breakfast at the Brown’s hotel. (do
not use the definite article if the name of
the hotel or restaurant is the name of the
owner)
Tip #10: The Ritz Hotel,
Brown’s Hotel

12. Spot the Errors

13. Spot the Error
They don’t have a heir to inherit the family property.
I studied the Sanskrit in high school for four years.
Please give me a water to drink.
Are you driving my the car?
The hypertension is called the silent killer.

14. They don’t have a heir to inherit the family property.
They don’t have an heir to inherit the family property.
I studied the Sanskrit in high school for four years.
I studied Sanskrit in high school for four years.
Please give me a water to drink.
Please give me (some) water to drink.
Are you driving my the car?
Are you driving my car?
The hypertension is called the silent killer.
Hypertension is called the silent killer.
Spot the Error

15. Spot the Error
I would like to visit an Eiffel Tower.
They are planning an European holiday for the vacations.
Mary is training to be the engineer.
The creativity should be encouraged in children.
I was always good at a math.

16. I would like to visit an Eiffel Tower.
I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower.
They are planning an European holiday for the vacations.
They are planning a European holiday for the vacations.
Mary is training to be the engineer.
Mary is training to be an engineer.
The creativity should be encouraged in children.
Creativity should be encouraged in children.
I was always good at a math.
I was always good at math.
Spot the Error

17. Spot the Error
He is the pupil at Bishop Cotton High school.
I read a Times of India every morning.
She is learning a guitar.
This is a best book on elementary chemistry.
Twelve inches make the foot.

18. He is the pupil at Bishop Cotton High school.
He is a pupil at Bishop Cotton High school.
I read a Times of India every morning.
I read Times of India every morning.
She is learning a guitar.
She is learning the guitar.
This is a best book on elementary chemistry.
This is the best book on elementary chemistry.
Twelve inches make the foot.
Twelve inches make a foot.
Spot the Error

19. Spot the Error
I can't forget kindness with which he treated me.
The uncle is coming to our place next week.
These traditions are in place since Vedic ages.
This man is Shylock when it comes to allotting budget.
The first and the second phases of election is over.

20. I can't forget kindness with which he treated me.
I can't forget the kindness with which he treated me.
The uncle is coming to our place next week.
Uncle is coming to our place next week.
These traditions are in place since Vedic ages.
These traditions are in place since the Vedic ages.
This man is Shylock when it comes to allotting budget.
This man is a Shylock when it comes to allotting budget.
The first and the second phases of election is over.
The first and the second phase of election is over.
Spot the Error

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