Articles are the main determiners of names nouns. Before using any noun, it is necessary to decide whether it is definite or indefinite, i.e. It is necessary to imagine what subject is being discussed: about a specific or any.
IN English language The article is almost always used before nouns:- Articles a And an are called indefinite article (the Indefinite Article)
- The is called certain article (the Definite Article)
Consider three cases: when the indefinite article is used before the noun, when the definite article is used, and when the article is not used before the noun.
Indefinite article
a used before words that begin with a consonant.
an used before words that begin with a vowel.
A noun with an indefinite article is the name of an object in general, and not the name of a particular object. For example, a student evokes the idea of a student in general, that is, a student of a higher educational institution, but not of a specific person.
The meaning of the indefinite article can be expressed in Russian with such words as one, one of, some, any, any, any, any, each.
The indefinite article is used with singular countable nouns. It is not used in the plural, sometimes it is replaced by indefinite pronouns some (several) any (any, anyone).
Definite article
The definite article has only one form: the. individualizing article the derived from demonstrative pronoun that- that.
No article: zero article
No indefinite article
The indefinite article is not used:
- before plural nouns
an article - articles
- abstract nouns
imagination - imagination - nouns mi real, uncountable(nouns that cannot be counted, for example, you cannot say: three waters).
water (water), salt (salt), tea (tea)
If there is a definition before the noun, then the article is placed before this definition:
a story (story)
an interesting story (interesting story)
substitution rule
Use of the indefinite article
1. Indefinite article is used before a noun when it only names an object, classifies it as a representative of a certain kind of objects, but does not single out it specifically.
- a table - some table (just a table, not a chair)
a chair
2. when mentioning an object or person for the first time
- That "s a pretty girl. - Beautiful girl
3. in a general sense:
A noun with an indefinite article in this sense means: any, anyone.
- A cow gives milk.
A cow (any) gives milk.
3. with professions:
- My Dad is a Doctor. - My dad is a doctor.
She "s an architect. - She is an architect.
4. with some quantity expressions:
- a pair
a little - a little
a few - a few
5. in exclamatory sentences: before a singular countable noun after the word what (what).
- What a beautiful day! - What a wonderful day!
What a pity! - What a pity!
Use of the definite article
Definite article is put in the event that the subject or person in question is known to both the speaker and the listener (from the context, the environment, or as previously mentioned in this speech).
- It is a chair - this is a chair
The chair is at the table - the chair is near the table
Try to substitute the word this or that before the noun. If the meaning of what is being said does not change, then the definite article must be put before the noun, and if it changes, then the indefinite article is put before the noun in the singular (if it is countable), and not put before the plural noun at all.
1. Re-mentioned when it is clear from the previous text what it is about:
- The girl was beautiful. (This) girl was beautiful.
2. Clear in a situation where it is clear what/who is meant:
- The lesson is over. - The lesson is over.
3. Having an individuating definition, that is, a definition that distinguishes this person or object from a number of similar ones.
- 3.1. Definition, naming a sign
:
This is the house that Jack built. This is the house that Jack built. - 3.2. Definition, expressed by the adjective in the superlative form e
This is the shortest way to the river - This is the shortest way to the river - 3.3. Definition, expressed by ordinal number
He missed the first lecture. - He missed the first lecture - 3.4. Definition, expressed by proper name
the Bristol road - the road to Bristol. - 3.5. Definitions expressed in words:
The next stop is ours. “The next stop is ours.
4. Before singular nouns:
- the sun - the sun
the moon - the moon
the Earth
the floor - floor (one in the room)
the sea - the sea (the only one in the area)
5. Before adjectives and participles that have turned into nouns, with a plural meaning:
- the strong- strong the old- old men, the young- young people,
Absence of an article (zero article
1. If there is a pronoun before the noun or nouns in the possessive case.
My room is large - My room is large.
2. A noun is used without an article in the plural in those cases:
- 2.1. when singular in front of him there would be an indefinite article:
I saw a letter on the table. — I saw a letter on the table.
I saw letters on the table. — I saw the letters on the table.
3. Uncountable real nouns.
water water, milk milk, chalk chalk, sugar sugar, tea tea, snow snow, grass grass, wool wool, meat meat and others.
4. Uncountable abstract nouns (abstract concepts).
weather weather, music music, power force, knowledge knowledge, art art, history history, mathematics mathematics, light light, love love, life life, time time
I like music - I love music.
But at the same time, some abstract nouns can be used with the indefinite article, expressing a kind of quality, state.
He got a good education. He received a good education.
In English, plural nouns may be preceded by a definite article, the pronoun some (any), or the determiner may be absent.
Rules for using the pronoun some
If it is possible to put one of the words before a Russian noun: several, some, some, some before the corresponding noun in English sentence is the pronoun some (any).
If none of these words can be placed before the Russian noun, then there is no determiner before the corresponding noun in the English sentence.
I bought some apples yesterday - I bought apples yesterday (a few, some apples)
Articles in English indicate the definiteness or indefiniteness of a noun, in other words, it gives us an idea of what subject/concept is being discussed: abstract or concrete. For a Russian-speaking person, articles cause many difficulties, because in our language they simply do not exist. However, dealing with this unknown part of speech is not as difficult as it seems.
Functions of the article
English has only two articles: a (an) and the - the first is used with indefinite nouns, and the second with definite ones. In order to better understand where and what to put it is necessary to consider each separately.
The indefinite article in English
Let's start with the indefinite article a (an). Its spelling changes depending on which letter (consonant or vowel) the noun begins, before which the article will stand.
Consonant letter: a dog - dog
Vowel: an apple - apple
The indefinite article has two features:
- used only when talking about an abstract concept or about an object that is seen for the first time;
- is used with nouns only in the singular, since the article itself comes from the numeral one (one).
The article a (an) indicates that the noun is considered not as a specific object, but as a broad concept. For example, a cup will mean some (any) piece of dishware in the form of a cup, and not your favorite cup in the form of a stormtrooper head, from which you have been drinking coffee in the morning for the second year already. Thus, the indefinite article in English is used either when we encounter an object for the first time, and we still do not know anything about it, or when we are talking about an abstract, collective concept.
The definite article in English
If you want to mention that very special morning cup in a conversation, you need the definite article the. It comes from the pronoun that (that) and is used in cases where it is known exactly which object is being discussed.
Free lesson on the topic:
Irregular Verbs English: table, rules and examples
Discuss this topic with a personal tutor in a free online lesson at Skyeng School
Leave your contact details and we will contact you to register for the lesson
Example: I met a man. The man was very strange - I met a man. The man was very strange.
In the first sentence, we first meet a stranger, in which case the indefinite article is placed before the word man. In the second sentence, we make a conclusion about the person we just talked about. He ceased to be unknown, which makes it possible to put the definite article the before the word man.
The definite article the can be used with both singular and plural nouns.
To finally understand the definite article, you can consider another example - the trilogy The Lord of the Rings ("Lord of the Rings"). Here, within the same name, the definite article is used twice. This is due to the fact that in both cases we are talking about specific objects: about one single ruler (Sauron) and about the only rings created by him. If the concept of "lord of the rings" meant a profession, then we could say a lord of rings, but that would be a completely different story.
Zero article, or when the article is not needed at all
The main difficulty in learning the articles of the English language is to remember in which cases they should not be used.
The noun does not always require additional clarification in the form of articles - sometimes other parts of speech take on their role. Articles are not used if:
- the noun is preceded by a pronoun (my, his, her, their, one's, this, that, etc.);
- before the noun are the words some, any, no;
- names of people or names of continents, islands, mountains;
- uncountable concept (advice, information).
Visual table about articles
As a rule, information is absorbed faster if it is considered in the form of a systematic table. We have prepared such a table for your convenience.
| Indefinite article a/an | The definite article the | No article |
|---|---|---|
| This is one item out of many. an apple - (some) apple a cow - (some) cow |
It is known exactly which object is being referred to. the apple - (the same) apple the cow - (the same) cow |
The noun is preceded by a pronoun (my, his, her, their, one's, this, that, etc.) my apple - my apple this cow - this cow |
| The object is mentioned for the first time I met a man - I met (some) person |
This is the only object in the world the Earth |
The noun is preceded by the words some, any, no any piece - any piece |
| Designation of professions a doctor - doctor an engineer - engineer |
There is an ordinal or superlative before a noun the second floor - second floor the best singer - the best singer |
Before names of people or geographical features such as continents, islands, and mountain peaks Mary - Mary Eurasia - Eurasia Tasmania - Tasmania (island) Mount Everest - Mount Everest |
| Before geographical names of countries formed with common nouns(like their abbreviations) The Russian Federation (The RF) — the Russian Federation(RF) The United States of America (The USA) The United Kingdom (The UK) The United Arab Emirates (The UAE) United Arab Emirates(UAE) |
Before the names of countries, peninsulas Canada Spain Kamchatka - Kamchatka (peninsula) |
|
| Before the geographical names of countries in the plural The Netherlands The Philippines - Philippines |
If the name of the lake is preceded by the word lake, the names of the bays Lake Baikal - Lake Baikal Bounty Bay - Bounty Bay |
|
| Before the names of oceans and seas The Volga - Volga (river) The Caribbean sea The Atlantic Ocean - Atlantic Ocean |
It's an uncountable concept. information knowledge - knowledge |
|
| Designation of cardinal directions the east - East the qest - West |
Understanding when and how to use articles is easy enough. But in order to remember these rules and not to think every time before pronouncing or writing another noun, practice is definitely needed.
Hi all! Each language has its own rules that lend themselves to logic and explanation, and there are exceptions that are subject only to cramming. If your native language is Russian and you study English, then you are very lucky. You will have to learn a lot less rules. When studying irregular or modal verbs, you may not agree with me. But believe me, there are far fewer rules and exceptions in English than in Russian. Definite article
Many cases of using, for example, articles in English can be reduced to a few basic rules, and in other cases, you need to learn how to find the logic of these same rules. Well, the rest, of course, you just have to memorize :). In this article, I will tell you about the basic rules for using the Definite Article in English.
You already know from previous lessons that there are two types of articles in English: uncertain (a/an) and definite (the), expressed by the given singular form. Individualizing "The", like the definite, came from the Old English language, where it served as a demonstrative pronoun "that"(this that).
By pointing at something or someone, you rid your speech of any uncertainty, and the interlocutor will immediately understand what you are talking about. " The"That's why it is called definite, because when it is used, it is immediately clear about what object, person or event and it's about: The sandwich on the table(identifies a specific book lying on a specific table).
In this way, Definite Article sometimes used when the person or thing mentioned is known to both the listener and the speaker (from the environment, context previously mentioned in the conversation): It is a table - this is a table. The table is at the wall - the table is near the wall.
Basic Rules for Using the Definite Article
The fact that Definite Article is derived from a demonstrative pronoun determines the basic rules for its use. "The", unlike "a/an", can be used in any number and placed before any nouns. But in what situation? So, the definite article is used before:
- One of a kind items: The Moon moves around the Earth. — The moon moves around the earth.
- Items that have a definition: The boy that has stolen a picture, was caught. The boy who stole the painting has been caught.(Which boy? - who stole the painting)
- Objects from a restricted collection or group: The wheel of the lorry was missing. The truck didn't have a wheel.(One of the 4 or 6 wheels of the truck was missing).
Article The These are the basic rules for using Definite Article.
In general, try to do this: put the pronoun “this” or “that” before the noun.If the meaning of the sentence or phrase does not change, then feel free to sculpt "The", and if it changes, then before an uncountable noun. in units we put “a / an”, and if this is a plural noun, then we don’t put the article at all!Simply and easily! But you need to know the rules, so let's continue.
Other uses of the definite article
Definite Article applies in the following cases:
- Re-mentioned object or phenomenon: The woman was beautiful
- Indicates a sign of a person or object: This is the house that Jonathan built
- When who or what is meant is clear from the situation: The lesson is over
- Expressed superlative adjective: This is the shortest way to the mountain
- Expressed by its own name: the London road
- Before ordinal number: He missed the first beams of the sun
- Before the words (they need to be remembered): same, last, next, right, main, upper, only, left, previous, central, following, very, coming, wrong
- Uses with participles and adjectives that have become plural nouns: the young - youth, the old - old people
- The surname is called in plural. (meaning all family members): The Sidorovs are at home
- When seas, islands, mountains, deserts, rivers, hotels, theaters, yachts are indicated, as well as when they are generalized: I'm taking a trip to the black sea
- When talking about the only object in a given situation: The teacher is in the classroom
- Store name he is light: the North, the south, the west, the east
- Creatures. in singular, which denote a whole class of something, that is, they are generalized: The ostrich is a bird
- When it comes to the honor of matter: the tea on the table. I mean a cup of tea
- After the words: some of, each of, one of, all, most of, many of, both of: Give me one of the books
These are all the rules for using the definite article in English.
You can learn about the use of stable idioms with articles from any grammar reference, and all other cases in a logical sequence and according to its laws are described above. Language is a logical subject, so turn on logic, memorize a few exceptions, and then the use of English articles will succumb to you!
See you soon on our website!
The definite article the
Every language has rules and there are exceptions. The former are subject to explanation and logic, the latter to cramming. If you study english language, and Russian is your native language, you are incredibly lucky! You will have to cram less than you would if you mastered Russian.
Getting acquainted with such topics in English as modal verbs or articles, you may not agree with me: there are so many rules that your head is spinning. And yet, I will allow myself to insist on my own. The variety of use cases can be reduced to a few basic points, and in all other cases you need to be able to find the logic of the first. And, of course, the rest will have to be remembered. This article will focus on the most basic rules for using articles and situations where the article is not required at all.
As you know, in English language There are 2 types of articles: uncertain (a/an) - for countable entities. in the singular, which is omitted in the plural, and definite(the).
The logic of all the rules for the use of articles comes down to a few basic points.
Indefinite article
because is the former numeral a/an can be used only with countable nouns (which we can count):
a car, a cup, a lamp , a bottle, an apple
Have a drink. There is a bottle of wine in the fridge.
because this is the numeral "1", we can use a/anonly with countable singular nouns In plural the article disappears:
_ car s, _ cup s, _ lamp s, _ bottle s
Have a drink. There are (several) _ bottle s of wine in the fridge.
indefinite article a/an is an evolved Old English numeral "one". This fact determines 2 basic rules for the use of this article.
indefinite article highlights one item out of many like it, no different from it. You have little information about him.
I had a sandwich for breakfast.
There is a book on the table.
Definite article
Like indefinite, it came from Old English, which had demonstrative pronoun that. And if you point to something, then your interlocutor will immediately understand what kind of subject it is, and any uncertainty disappears. Definite the article is called definite because it is clear from the situation what person / object / event you are talking about
The sandwich that I ate for breakfast(identifies which particular sandwich was bad) was obviously bad. I feel sick now.
The book on the table(book on the table) is the Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
And now about situations when the article is not needed at all
The article is not put if
If you have uncountable noun and you do general statement
_ Love is a wonderful feeling.
_ Coffee is good for your health when consumed in moderation.
I often listen to _ music.
The word is part of an expression that is an exception and must be remembered
What did you have for breakfast?
It's time to go to bed now.
but ATTENTION! There are a number of expressions that will be used either without an article or with a definite article, depending on the situation and the meaning that you put in. These are expressions containing words prison, hospital, school, university, church and some others.
If we get into one of these institutions and use them, so to speak, for their intended purpose, that is, serving time (prison), undergoing treatment (hospital), receiving general education (school) or studying a specific specialization (university), reading prayers and confessing (church), then in all expressions with these words there will be no article. In all other cases, an article is needed. Compare:
Table. The use of the article with the names of institutions in English
Now for a little practice. Here are a number of combinations with articles. It is necessary to explain the use of this or that article.
Why do we say:
- Can you turn off the light, please? - Because it is clear that the light must be turned off in the room where the speaker is
- I took a taxi to the station. Because not just to any station, but a station in this city, and you go to a particular bus or railway station
- Do you like _ Chinese food? Chinese food/cuisine - General term consisting of an uncountable noun and an adjective
- I'd like to talk to the manager please. - Because the store has one general manager to whom you can contact with questions, complaints, etc.
- The sun is a star. Because there are many different stars and the sun is one of them.
- I often go to the cinema/theatre. - Probably, it happened historically: earlier in the cities, if there were cinemas or theaters, then, so to speak, in a single copy. Therefore, when you say that you are going to the cinema, there were no questions about which one.
- I must go to the bank. - You apply to the bank in which you have an account, and not to any.
- I listen to _ classical music from time to time. - Classical music - general concept, consisting of an uncountable noun and an adjective
- Is there a bank near here? - This is a situation in which you do not care which bank branch to contact. For example, when you are abroad and you need to withdraw money from the card.
- I work in the city centre. - There is only one center in the city.
- Can you tell the time? - You want to know the current time
- _ Doctors are paid more than _ teachers. - Doctors in general. You can also say: A doctor is paid more than a teacher.
- Who is the best player in your team? There is only one best player. When you talk about the very best(superlative degree) - the very best, the biggest, the most beautiful, the most interesting etc. always use the.
I repeat once again that you can read about stable combinations with one article or another in any grammar textbook, all other cases are amenable to the logic outlined above. Language, after all, is a pretty logical thing, and sometimes doing a grammar test is akin to solving mathematical equations or logic puzzles. Therefore, turn on the logic, remember the exceptions, and the articles will submit to you!
It is used before singular and plural nouns when talking about something specific, specific.
The criminals robbed the bank . – The criminals robbed a bank (some specific one).
Please close the door. – Please close the door (not any door in the house, but this door).
In other words, if “some” can be added before the noun, then there will be an indefinite article, and if “the same \ those same” is suitable, then the definite article.
The definite article is also used with nouns that mean:
1. Something unique that exists in a single copy
the Sun - the sun,
the Columbia river - the Columbia River.
(for the article before proper names, see below)
2. Periods (segments) of time
in the morning - in the morning,
in the past - in the past.
3. Before superlative adjectives
the biggest mall in Moscow - the biggest shopping center in Moscow.
The article can quite strongly change the meaning of the whole sentence. For example:
I met a girl yesterday. – I met a girl on the street (I was just walking and saw some girl).
I met the girl yesterday. - I met a girl yesterday (I saw THAT girl, for example, the love of my life).
Zero articles in English
In some cases, the article is not used at all before the noun, for example:
1. Something very general is meant
Crime and punishment. Crime (in general) and punishment (in general).
life is strange. – Life is strange (life in general).
2. Before the names of the days of the week, months, seasons
See you on Monday. - See you on Monday.
August is the last month in summer. August is the last month of summer.
3. Before words denoting a meal
Let's have breakfast. - Let's have breakfast.
Lunch is ready. - Lunch is ready.
Article before proper names
Difficulties with the article arise when we are faced with the question of using articles before proper names. You probably noticed that, for example, there is no article before some geographical names, while others are preceded by the. Let us first consider when articles before proper names are not needed.
When the article is NOT placed before a proper name
In most cases, articles are not used before proper names. A proper name denotes a certain person or object, this is understandable even without an article, so usually the article is not needed.
Here are examples of such cases:
1. Before names.
Jonh, Misha Sidorov, Lewis.
2. Before names with a form of address or title, degree, etc.
General Pupkin, Professor Pavlov, Mr. White.
3. Before common nouns, which serve as a reference.
In fact, they are treated as a proper name:
How are you doing, sergeant? How are you, sergeant?
How can I help you, professor? How can the professor help you?
4. Before the names of family members, if they are used by members of the same family.
In such cases, the words father, mother, sister, etc. used almost like proper nouns.
Let's see what mom says - Let's see what mom says.
I've got to ask father about it - I have to ask my father about it.
Note: the word "mother" in the USA is written mom, and in the UK mum.
When an article is needed before a proper name
There are cases when the article the is placed before proper names. There is not always a pattern in them, here are some typical cases:
1. Before surnames in the plural in the meaning of “family such and such”:
The Whites live in Albuquerque - The Whites (White family) live in Albuquerque.
Have you invited the Petrovs? - Did you invite the Petrovs (the Petrov family)?
2. Before some geographical names.
This is a rather confusing moment, because in the use of the article before toponyms there are patterns somewhere, somewhere not, and somewhere it is possible this way and that. For example, on maps, articles are never written before names to save space. Some of the common patterns and exceptions are well covered in this video from Puzzle English:
My personal note: I never tried to remember all the nuances of the use of articles before geographical names. And that's why. In speech, I use them very rarely, and if I use them, then they are the same (I'm from Russia). Even if I memorize everything that Anton says in the video, I will still safely forget most of it, because this knowledge is rarely useful. I don't see anything wrong with difficult case look in the manual or google. When I write in Russian, I often have to turn to reference literature (anyone who writes something by occupation will say the same), what can I say about foreign language.
English articles in set expressions
There are a number of set expressions in which the definite or indefinite article is used.
| Set expressions with the indefinite article A/AN | |
|---|---|
| a few | several |
| a little | a little |
| a lot of | many |
| a great deal of | many |
| a good deal | many |
| as a rule | usually |
| as a result | as a result |
| as a matter of fact | as a matter of fact |
| at a speed of | with speed |
| at a time when | during the time when |
| for a while | for a while |
| for a long (short) time | for a long (short) time |
| in a low (loud) voice | quiet (loud) voice |
| to be in a hurry | hurry |
| to go for a walk | to go for a walk |
| to have a cold | to have a cold |
| to have a good time | have a good time |
| to have a mind | mean |
| to have a look | take a look |
| to have a smoke | smoke |
| to have a rest | relax |
| take a seat | sit down |
| to tell a lie | lie |
| It is a pity | it's a pity |
| It is a pleasure. | With pleasure. |
| What a shame! | What a disgrace! |
| Set expressions with definite article THE | |
| by the way | by the way |
| in the morning | in the morning |
| in the afternoon | afternoon |
| in the evening | in the evening |
| in the country | outside the city, in the countryside |
| in the past | in past |
| in the present | present |
| in the future | in future |
| in the distance | away |
| in the plural | in plural |
| in the singular | in the singular |
| in the street | on the street |
| just the same | same |
| on the one hand… on the other hand | on the one hand on the other hand |
| on the right (left) | right left) |
| in the whole | in general, in general |
| out of the question | impossible, out of the question |
| on the other day | the other day (in relation to the past) |
| the day after tomorrow | day after tomorrow |
| the day before yesterday | the day before yesterday |
| to go to the theater (the cinema) | go to the theater (cinema) |
| to go to the country | to go out of town |
| to pass the time | spend time |
| to play the piano (guitar, violin, etc) | play the piano (guitar, violin, etc.) |
| to tell the truth | tell the truth (but speaking of lies - to tell a lie) |
| to tell the time | say what time it is |
| to the right (left) | right left) |
| What is the time? | What time is it now? |
| Set expressions WITHOUT the article | |
| to ask permission | ask permission |
| to be in bed | lie in bed, get sick |
| to be at home | be at home |
| to be at school | be at school |
| to be at table | to be at the table (for food) |
| to be in town | be in the city |
| to be on holiday | to be on vacation |
| to declare war | to declare a war |
| to go by water (air, sea, land) | travel by water (air, sea, land) |
| to go home | Go home |
| go to bed | go to sleep |
| to go to school | go to school (study) |
| to go to sea | become a sailor |
| to go to town | go to town |
| to keep house | housekeeping |
| to leave school | to graduate school |
| to leave town | leave the city |
| to make haste | hurry |
| to make use of | use |
| to play chess (cards, hockey, etc.) | play chess (cards, hockey, etc.) |
| to take care | take care |
| to take part | participate |
| to take place | take place |
| to go by bus (car, train) | travel by bus (car, train) |
| at breakfast (dinner, supper) | at breakfast (lunch, dinner) |
| at hand | at hand |
| at home | Houses |
| at night | at night |
| at peace | in the world |
| at present | currently |
| at school | at school (in class) |
| at sunrise | at dawn |
| at sunset | On the Sunset |
| at table | at the table |
| at war | at war |
| at work | at work |
| by air | by air |
| by chance | by chance |
| by day | afternoon |
| by hand | by hand |
| by heart | by heart |
| by land | by land |
| by sea | by sea |
| by mail | by mail |
| by means of | through |
| by mistake | erroneously |
| by name | by name |
| by night | at night |
| by phone | by phone |
| by post | by mail |
| by train (bus, taxi, etc.) | by train (bus, taxi, etc.) |
| in conclusion | Finally |
| in debt | in debt |
| in detail | detail |
| in fact | really |
| in mind | mentally |
| in time | in time |
| in trouble | in trouble |
| on board | on board |
| on business | on business |
| on credit | on credit |
| on deck | on deck |
| on foot | on foot |
| holiday | on holiday |
| on sale | on sale |
Racial differences
The psychology of wealth: attracting money and success with the power of thought
Racial differences in intelligence
How to remain calm and highly effective in any situation
Why is gluten dangerous for health?