Easy way to learn English "Articles" with Gujarat Adda
Article
Defination
An article is a limiting word, not descriptive, which cannot be used alone, but always joins to a substantive word to denoate a particular thing, or class of thing, or any individual of group or class.
Kinds of Article
Articles are either definite or indefinite
The is the definite article, since it points out a particular individual, or group, or claas.
An or a is the indefinitye article, because it refers to any one of a group or class of thing.
'A' is used:
"I need a Chair."
In the above sentence we find the article "a". It shows us that the speaker does not need a specific chair. He can have any chair.
Before a word which begins with a consonant sound. Example : a woman
Before a singular, countable noun, Example: a banana
When we mention something for the first time, Example: I saw a dog.
Before a word with a long sound of 'u'. Example: a university, a uniform, a useful book, a European. etc.
Before the word one/ Example: a one-way street, a one-eyed man, a one-year course, a one-day match,etc.
'An' is used:
I want an apple.
In the above sentence we find the article "an". It shows us that the speaker does not want a specific apple. He can have any apple.
Before a noun which begins with a vowel sound. Exaple: an apple.
Before a noun which begins with a silent 'h'. Example: an hour, an honest man, an heir, an honour,etc.
Before a singular, countable noun which begins with a vowel or silent 'h'. Example: an orange.
'The' is used:
"I want the red aaple."
In the above sentence we find the article "the." It shows us that the speaker wants a specific apple.
- When the same thing or person is mentioned again, that is, a particilar thing or person. Example: I bought an orange. The orange is sweet.
- When there is only one such thing. Example: the earth, the sun, the moon.
- Before the names of famous buildings, etc. Example: The Eiffel Tower, The Wall of China.
- When singular noun is usedto point out a whole class,race,group,etc. Example:The bear is a strong animal.
- Before the special name of rivers,seas,oceans,mountain ranges, groups of islands, certain organizations,political parties, and countries such as the U.S.A., the U.K., the U.S.S.R. and the U.A.E., The Nile, The Dead Sea, The Pacific Ocean, The Himalayas. The United Nations, The Republican Party,etc.
- Before the name of holy or important books. Example: The Bible, The Ramayana.
- Before an adjective when the noun is understood. Example: The poor need help.
- Before the name of the person: Example: I am a fan of Sachin Tendulkar.
- Before the name of place,town,country,street,or road. Example: Mumbai is a beautiful city.
- Before names of materials used in a general sense. Example: Gold is found in Australia.
- Before abstract nouns used in a general sense. Example: We love all beauty.