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Articles

The document explains the use of articles in English grammar, distinguishing between definite articles ('the') for specific nouns and indefinite articles ('a' and 'an') for general nouns. It highlights rules for using articles with countable and non-countable nouns, as well as exceptions and examples. Additionally, it provides guidance on determining when to use each type of article based on specificity and context.

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2 views13 pages

Articles

The document explains the use of articles in English grammar, distinguishing between definite articles ('the') for specific nouns and indefinite articles ('a' and 'an') for general nouns. It highlights rules for using articles with countable and non-countable nouns, as well as exceptions and examples. Additionally, it provides guidance on determining when to use each type of article based on specificity and context.

Uploaded by

Veeru Jaat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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• An article (abbreviated ART) is

a word (or prefix or suffix) that is used


with a noun to indicate the type of
reference being made by the noun
(Article, 2014).
 Used with countable nouns such as chair,
dog, cat, pencil, bottle, etc.
 Two types of articles: definite and indefinite
 Definite article: “the”
 Used for very specific nouns; not just any
pencil, but the yellow pencil.
 The blue dog, the black cat, the chair
which is next to the couch
 Can be used with singular objects (The
purple scarf) or plural (the dogs).
• Indefinite article: “A” and “An”
• “A” is used before nouns that begin with a
consonant; “an” is used before nouns that
begin with a vowel.
• Used for more general, vague nouns: “Hand
me a pencil.” (any pencil.)
• An elephant, a dog, a chair, an apple
• Used only with singular objects
• Think of replacing “a” or “an” with “one.”
• Also used when first mentioning something:
“A butterfly landed on my dog’s nose. The
butterfly was pink.”
• We don’t use indefinite articles in front of non-
countable nouns. These include abstract concepts such
as happiness, harmony, sadness, irony, justice, etc.
• The definite article can be used if indicating the instance
in which it occurred: “The sadness she felt at his
passing”
• We don’t use indefinite articles with nouns that are
described in quantities, such as liquids or large
amounts of small solids such as beans, sand, dirt, etc.
We can, however, use the definite article: “The brown
dirt,” “the cold water,” etc.
• Names, pronouns, and proper nouns
• When being general: “I like water” (any/all water)
“Cats are small” (any/all cats)
 I am the happy I am happy
 Give me a water Give me a glass of water.
The water is cold!
 I am happy to see the Susie! I am happy to
see Susie!
• Some non-countable nouns can take the indefinite
article.
• Examples: “We came to an understanding”
• If the name of a location is descriptive and contains
a countable noun, use the definite article.
• Examples: “The United States of America,” “The
University of Houston-Clear Lake,” “The Writing
Center”
• If a name is being described as though it is a
countable noun, it can take the definite article.
• Example: “The Clear Lake that I know has lots of good
restaurants;” (instead of “the place”) “You are not
behaving like the Brandon that I know.” (instead of
“the person”)
 First, look at your noun. Is it countable or non
countable?
 Example: “I want to describe a cat. ‘Cat’ is a
countable noun.”
 Next, decide if it is the first time something
has been mentioned.
 If it is, use the indefinite article.
 Are you being specific about the noun, or
general?
 Example: “Yes; I am talking about a
specific cat.”
 If you are describing a specific noun, use
the definite article. If you are being more
vague, use the indefinite article.
 Example: “I have a black cat. The cat
chased the grey mouse.”
 Example with indefinite article: “I saw a cat
chase a mouse today.”
Article (grammar). (n.d.). Retrieved November
24, 2014 from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_
%28grammar%29

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