Scribd
Upload
9 views11 pages

ARTICLES

The document explains the use of articles in English, specifically the indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' and the definite article 'the'. It outlines the rules for when to use each article, including specific examples for clarity. Additionally, it discusses cases where no article is used, particularly with certain expressions and geographical terms.

Uploaded by

paulasesma1895
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
9 views11 pages

ARTICLES

The document explains the use of articles in English, specifically the indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' and the definite article 'the'. It outlines the rules for when to use each article, including specific examples for clarity. Additionally, it discusses cases where no article is used, particularly with certain expressions and geographical terms.

Uploaded by

paulasesma1895
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

ARTICLES

HOW DO WE USE THEM?


There are only three articles in
English:

• A, An (indefinite article)
• The (definite article).
• We use a / an when the listener doesn’t know what thing we
mean. We use the when it is clear which thing we mean.

Example: I watched a movie last night. The movie was thrilling.


USE OF “A” AND “AND”
We use a or an:
1. Only with singular nouns.

2. When we are talking about a thing in general.


Example: I need a new laptop. Hand me a pencil, please.

3. With professions.
Example: He is a postman.

4. To show the person / thing is one of a group.


Example: She is a student at our school.
USE OF “THE”
We use the:
1. When we talk about a specific thing.

2. When it is clear which thing or person we mean.

3. When there is only one of something.


Examples:
• What is the highest building in the world?
• Washington is the capital of the United States.
• The moon is bright tonight.

4. To talk about geographical points on the globe like rivers, oceans, seas,
canals, deserts, etc.
Example: The Nile is the longest river.
5. When we refer to a system or service.
Examples: When does the train arrive? We should call the ambulance.

6. With Adjectives like rich, poor or unemployed to talk about groups of


people.
Example: Do you think the rich should pay more taxes?

7. With countries which contain the words state(s), kingdom, republic or


union.
Examples: the UK, the USA

8. With countries which have plural nouns as their names


Example: the Netherlands, the Bahamas
9. Before newspapers, organisations, hotels, pubs and restaurants, well
known buildings or works of art and families.
Examples:
• The Times
• The United Nations
• The Mona Lisa
• The Eiffel Tower
• The Simpsons.

10. When we talk about musical instruments, plants, animals and currencies.
Examples:
• He plays the piano well.
• The rose is my favourite flower.
‘THE' or NO ARTICLE

We don't usually use an article in expressions with bed, work and home.

• Go to bed / be in bed
• Go to work / be at work / start work / finish work
• Go home / be at home / get home / stay at home
We also don't normally use an article in expressions with school, university,
prison and hospital.

• Start school / go to school / be at school


• Go to university / be at university
• Be sent to prison / go to prison / be in prison
• Go to hospital / be in hospital

But we usually use the if someone is just visiting the place, and not there as a
student/prisoner/patient, etc.

• My son has started school now. I went to the school to meet his teacher.
• I went to the prison a lot when I was a social worker.
• I'm at the hospital. My sister has just had a baby.
We don't normally use an article for continents, most countries, cities, towns,
lakes, mountains or universities. So, we say:

• Africa, Asia, Europe


• India, Ghana, Peru, Denmark
• Addis Ababa, Hanoi, New York, Moscow
• Lake Victoria, Lake Superior, Lake Tanganyika
• Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus
• Cardiff University, Harvard University, Manchester University

Some countries are different. Country names with United have the. There are other
countries which are exceptions too. So, we say:

• The United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America
• The Bahamas, the Gambia
Seas and oceans, mountain ranges and rivers have the:

• The Atlantic, the Pacific, the Mediterranean


• The Andes, the Himalayas, the Alps
• The Nile, the Amazon, the Yangtze

Universities with of in the title also have the:

• The University of Cape Town, the University of Delhi, the University of Tokyo

You might also like