Articles in English: definite - the, indefinite - a (an), zero. The use of articles with geographical names.
Using the articles in English is a daunting task for beginners to learn this one of the most spoken languages in the world. There are three types of articles in English, and although there are clear rules to explain their use, choosing the correct article can be difficult at times.
- definite article the: Did you enjoy the party? - Did you like the party?
- two indefinite articles in English:
Article a- use if the next word begins with a consonant: I'm reading a book about England- I am reading a book about England
Article an- if the word after it begins with a vowel: I read an interesting story - I read an interesting story
- “Zero article” is the absence of articles: Does she like meat or fish? - Does she like meat or fish?
Articles in English can appear directly before a noun:
She is an artist - she is an artist
In addition, articles in English can be separated from a noun using an adverb or an adjective:
the newly renovated church - recently renovated church
a beautiful young woman
Rules for the use of articles in English
The use of the indefinite articles in English "a" and "an":
1. Indefinite articles in English "a" or "an" are used with nouns only in the singular in the following cases:
1.1. If an object or person is mentioned for the first time, as well as if an adjective is in front of a noun in the function of defining a descriptive nature:
Can I make a suggestion? - May I guess?
Suddenly there was a loud bang- suddenly there was a loud bang
1.2. With nouns in construction “ there is ”(there was):
There was a noise outdoors - there was some noise outside
1.3. With nouns combined with the adjective “such”:
Such a day, such a car etc.
1.4. In exclamation sentences with the intensifying pronoun “what”, indefinite articles are used in English:
What a day! “What a nice journey!”
1.5. With nouns preceded by the word "half":
half an hour, half a day etc.
1.6. Words that begin with the letter “u”, provided that it is pronounced / ju: / (for example, “united”, “useful”), are always used with the article “a” (not “an”):
English is an universal language
English is a universal language
1.7. The words “one and ones” and all phrases beginning with these words (such as one-sided, once-over) are always used with the article “a”:
a one-parent family, a one-way trip etc.
1.8. If abbreviations start with letters: F, H, L, M, N, R, S or X, and the pronunciation of these letters begins with a vowel sound (for example, F is pronounced like / ef /), then in such cases the indefinite article is always used “An” (not “a”):
an MBA degree, an FBI agent etc.
1.9. As part of some stable combinations, the indefinite article is used in English:
a lot of, twice a day, as a result, it's a pity.
1.10. With professions:
a pilot, an engineer.
Use of the definite article in English "the"
2. The definite article the in English is used with both singular and plural; with both countable and uncountable nouns in the following cases:
2.1. If we are talking about a specific person or object in a specific situation: Can you walk the dog? Can you put the book on the table? Both interlocutors know which dog and which book they are talking about. In other words, the definite article the is the equivalent of "that one over there." Imagine returning from a store and saying to your friend, "I bought the phone." With these words, you will mislead your friend, because in fact you said: “I bought (la) that phone », and your friend has no idea what phone they are talking about. Therefore, when mentioning an object or person for the first time, it would be correct to say: I bought a phone yesterday.
2.2. If an item or phenomenon has a description:
“This is the phone that I was telling you about yesterday”.
2.3. If an item or person was previously mentioned in the context:
This is a house. The house is very old.
the best friend, the longest trip etc.
the first day, the second chance etc.
2.7. When used with the adjective “same”:
the same day, the same time etc.
2.8. With nouns denoting the names of lakes, waterfalls, straits, mountain ranges, groups of islands, cardinal points, rivers, seas, oceans (i.e. with geographical names):
the Thames, the Atlantic Ocean, the Alps, the Bermudas, the English Channel, the Gulf Stream, the Suez Canal, the Niagara Falls etc.
2.9. With the names of countries consisting of several words, including the following: federation, republic, union, state, kingdom. For example:
the German Federal Republic, the USA, the UK etc.
2.10. Desert names also use the definite article the in English:
the sahara desert
2.11. As an exception, the definite article the in English is used with the following geographical names: the Netherlands (translated into Russian - No Man's Lands, to show that they still belong to someone, use the definite article in English):
the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Vatican, the Congo, the Lebanon, the Hague and with some others
2.12. With nouns denoting the names of hotels, theaters, museums, ships:
the Hilton, the Covent Garden, the Titanic, the Bolshoy Theater etc.
2.13. With nouns denoting the names of English-language newspapers:
the Financial Times, the Daily Mail etc.
2.14. In the composition of stable combinations, the definite article is used:
to play the piano / the violin / the guitar / the cello etc., to tell the truth, to go to the cinema / theater, to listen to the radio, the other way
2.15. With surnames, if the surname is in the plural and denotes the whole family:
the Smiths, the Browns etc.
Use of the “zero article” (omission of articles in English)
3. Articles in English are omitted in the following cases:
3.1. Before proper names, as well as before nouns denoting titles and titles:
Professor N., General B., Queen Y.
3.2. Before nouns for days of the week in English:
Monday, Sunday….
3.3. With nouns in combination with prepositions in English “from… .to, from…. till ”:
from beginning to end, from north to south, from nothing till everything, from head to foot etc.
3.4. With nouns followed by a number or number:
page 45, room 8, tram 7
3.5. With nouns after the verbs “to appoint”, “to elect”:
to appoint director, to elect deputy.
3.6. Articles in English are not used with nouns denoting the following geographical concepts:
3.6.1. names of continents, as well as countries and cities, consisting of one proper name:
Europe, Asia, Australia, France, Italy, Spain etc.
3.6.2. the names of individual islands (if they are not groups of islands), mountains (if it is not a mountain range), as well as the names of lakes (if their name contains the word “Lake”):
Malta, Elbrus, Lake Ontario etc.
3.6.3. names of streets and squares:
Red Square, Trafalgar Square, Street, Regent Street etc.
3.7. In the headlines of newspapers and magazine articles:
Tasty farewell to winter, Color of Dream
3.8. In some stable combinations, articles in English are not used:
on foot, by heart, by car, at home etc.
3.9. When using such nouns in a general sense:
Time is money. Life isn "t easy. Love and friendship…
When defining these nouns in a concrete sense, the definite article in English is used:
Don’t you know anything about the life of this people? Where is the money I’ve laid on the shelf?
At first glance, there are a lot of rules about articles in English and you can't remember everything. In fact, you do not need to memorize absolutely all the rules, because in the process of listening to English speech, you will remember the correct choice of one or another article in English rather quickly.
27.11.2014An article is a word that defines a noun.
There are two kinds of articles in English: definite (the) and indefinite (a / an).
Based on the names, respectively, the indefinite article is used when we are talking about a phenomenon that we meet for the first time, an object in general, and a definite one - when we are talking about something specific, or already previously encountered in a conversation.
The concept of the article is present in many languages of the world, but in the same number of languages it is absent.
Therefore, do not panic if articles are not used in your native language.
The data will help you make fewer mistakes when speaking English.
It is very important to be able to use the correct articles in your speaking or writing.
1.With the names of countries and continents
In this case, we do not use articles at all, BUT if the name of the country consists of parts, such as, USA, UK, UAE then our article appears the, and will be: the USA, the UK, the UAE, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands.
This also applies to continents and islands: usually we do not use the article, but if the name is combined, the definite article has a place to be.
For example: Africa, Europe, Bermuda, Tasmania BUT the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas.
- She lived in America.
- They live in England.
- My friend is from the Czech Republic.
2.With the words breakfast, dinner, lunch
When it comes to eating in general, there is no article. But if you are talking about a specific breakfast, dinner or lunch, use the.
For example:
- I don’t eat breakfast.
- We didn’t like the dinner.
3.With the names of work, profession
In this case, the indefinite article is used. a / an.
For example:
- I want to be a politician.
- My younger brother wants to be a vet.
4.With the names of the cardinal points
Usually the names of the cardinal points are written with a capital letter, so they are easy to recognize: the North, the South, the East, the West .
True, if a noun indicates a direction, then use it without an article and write with a small letter.
For example:
- They went east.
- The North is cooler than the South.
5.With the names of oceans, seas, rivers and canals
Remember that the definite article is always used with the names of these bodies of water.
For example: The Amazon, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal .
- I would like to swim in the Red Sea, and you?
- The Amazon is the longest river in the world.
6.With the names of unique phenomena
It means that a phenomenon or object exists in one copy, one of a kind, in particular, the sun, the moon, the inter net , the sky , the earth.
For example:
- The sun is a star.
- We looked up at all the stars in the sky.
- He is always on the internet.
7.With uncountable nouns
This category of nouns implies those units and concepts that we cannot count. Plus, as an identification mark in most cases, they don't have an ending. –S- plural indicator.
But do not forget that there are ten exceptions to one rule, that is, if you are talking in general about some uncountable concept, there will be no article, but again, if the case is special, use the.
For example:
- I like bread / milk / honey.
- I like the bread / the milk / the honey. (Specifically, this and nothing else.)
8.With surnames
If we are talking about members of the same family, you can put the article the before the surname. Thus, you will designate a group of people, a family, in one word.
For example:
- The Smith are coming for dinner today.
- Have you seen the Jonson recently?
These are not all uses of articles in English. However, first, remember these rules, gradually deepening your knowledge.
In many foreign languages there is such a part of speech as the article (The Article). This is an official part of speech and it acts as a determinant of a noun. There is no such part of speech in Russian, so it is difficult for Russian-speaking people who are starting to learn English to get used to using articles in speech. How and why are articles used in English?
But if we do not use them, it may be difficult to communicate with an Englishman, because he will not understand what particular subject is being discussed, whether he knows something about him or not. To avoid problems in communication and just to learn how to express yourself correctly, it is important and necessary to study articles in English and the cases of their use.
Today we will talk about such an important topic as the use of articles in English, and also consider the cases when you need to use articles.
There are two types of articles in English:
- Definite Article (definite article)
- Indefinite Article (indefinite article)
THE- the definite article or Definite Article, and it is pronounced [ ðǝ
] when the noun begins with a consonant and [ ðɪ
] when the noun begins with a vowel. For example: the [ ðǝ
] school, the [ ðɪ
] apple.
A or AN- indefinite (Indefinite Article). When a noun begins with a consonant, we say “ a banana ", but if with a vowel, then" an orange ".
To better understand what is the difference between a definite and an indefinite article in English, we will give an example in Russian: When articles are put in English
Use of articles in English
It is important to remember here what are the rules for using articles in English:
- The article is used before every common noun.
- We do not use the article when the noun is preceded by a demonstrative or possessive pronoun, another noun in the possessive case, a cardinal number or negation no (not not!).
This is a girl. - It's a girl.
My sister is an engineer. - My sister is an engineer.
I see the girls jumping the rope. - I see girls jumping rope.
As a rule, the indefinite article (Indefinite Article) in English is used when the subject is discussed for the first time, and also if nothing is known about the subject. The Definite Article appears where something is already known about the subject or it is mentioned again in the conversation. Let's see this with a few examples. Note:
He has got a computer.- He has a computer (what kind of computer, what is with him, what brand, etc. - we do not know.
The computer is new. - The computer is new (Now there is some information about the computer - it is new).
This is a tree. - This is a tree (it is not clear what kind of tree, nothing is known about it).
The tree is green. - The tree is green (something is already known, the tree is covered with green foliage).
What articles and when are used in English?
- Indefinite Article a, an can be used in exclamation sentences starting with the word what: What a surprise! - What a surprise! What a beautiful day! - What a beautiful day!
- Indefinite article a, an in English it is used only with countable nouns: This is a book. - This is a book. I see a boy. - I see a boy.
- Definite Article is used with both countable and uncountable nouns: The book I read is very interesting. - The book I am reading is very interesting. The meat you’ve bought is fresh. - The meat you bought is fresh.
- Indefinite Article is used before an adjective if it is followed by a noun: We have a large family. - We have a big family. I read an interesting book. - I am reading an interesting book.
- The indefinite article can be used in a sentence in the sense of the word "one, one, one": My father has three children, two sons and a daughter. - My father has three children - two sons and one daughter. Today I bought a copy-book and two pens. - Today I bought one notebook and two pens.
- Definite Article is used in superlative adjectives: Pink Street is the largest street in that town. - Pink Street is the largest in this city.
- The definite article is used with geographical names, that is, before the names of rivers, canals, seas, mountains, oceans, bays, straits, archipelagos. But it is not used with the names of lakes, countries, continents. Exceptions: the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, the Ukraine, the Congo, the Crimea.
And now, friends, pay attention to which stable phrases in English there is always a definite article:
- In the south
- In the north
- In the east
- In the west
- To the south
- To the north
- To the east
- To the west
- What’s the use?
- To the cinema
- To the theater
- To the shop
- To the market
- At the cinema
- At the theater
- At the shop
- At the market.
There are still many separate cases of the use of articles in English. We will consider them in more detail in the articles, which are separately devoted to the definite article and separately - to the indefinite article.
In general, the situation with articles in English is quite serious. They need and should be used in speech, there is simply nothing without them, otherwise we ourselves can get confused and confuse our interlocutor in the information presented. And in order not to get confused about which articles and when to use them, just memorize these cases. And you will see how this small but very necessary official part of speech will bring clarity to your conversation, and your speech will be beautiful and complete! So let kids the, a and an be your helpers in your English speech!
Articles are the main determinants 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: a specific one or any.
In English, the article is almost always used before nouns:- Articles a and an bear the name undefined the Indefinite Article
- The bears the name certain the Definite Article
Consider three cases: when an indefinite article is used in front of a noun, when a definite article is used, and when an article is not used in front of a noun.
Indefinite article
a- used before words beginning with a consonant.
an- used before words beginning with a vowel.
A noun with an indefinite article represents the name of an item in general, not the name of a specific item. For example, a student evokes the idea of a student in general, that is, of a student of a higher education institution, but not of a specific person.
The meaning of the indefinite article can be expressed in Russian by such words as one, one of, some, some, some, any, any, each.
The indefinite article is used with countable nouns in the singular... It is not used in the plural, sometimes it is replaced by indefinite pronouns some (several) any (any, any).
Definite article
The definite article has a single form: the... Individualizing article the derived from the demonstrative pronoun that- that.
No article: zero article
No indefinite article
The indefinite article is not used:
- before plural nouns
an article - articles
- abstractive nouns
imagination - imagination - nouns 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 in front of a noun, then the article is placed before this definition:
a story
an interesting story (interesting story)
Substitution rule
Use of the indefinite article
1. Indefinite article used before a noun, when it only names an object, classifies it as a representative of a certain kind of objects, but does not specifically highlight it.
- a table - any table (exactly a table, not a chair)
a chair - 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 meaning means: any, any.
- A cow gives milk.
The cow (every one) 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 expressions of quantity:
- a pair - pair
a little - a little
a few - a few
5. in exclamation clauses: before a countable noun in the singular 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 posed in the event that the object or person in question is known to both the speaker and the listener (from the context, environment or as previously mentioned in this speech).
- It is a chair
The chair is at the table - the chair is near the table
Try substituting this or that in front of a noun. If the meaning of the expressed does not change, then a definite article must be put in front of the noun, and if it changes, then an indefinite article is put in front of the singular noun (if it is countable), and not at all in front of the plural noun.
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 individualizing definition, that is, a definition that distinguishes this person or object from a number of similar ones.
- 3.1. Definition, calling feature
:
This is the house that Jack built. - Here is the house that Jack built - 3.2. Definition, adjective in excellent form e
This is the shortest way to the river - This is the shortest way to the river - 3.3. Definition, ordinal
He missed the first lecture. - He missed the first lecture - 3.4. Definition, expressed by a 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 unique nouns:
- the sun - the sun
the moon - moon
the Earth - 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 become 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 possessive nouns.
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 the indefinite article would stand:
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 power, 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, expressing a variety of quality, state, can be used with an unorganized article.
He got a good education. He received a good education.
In English, plural nouns can be preceded by the definite article, the pronoun some (any), or the determinant can be absent.
Rules for using the pronoun some
If one of the words can be put in front of a Russian noun by meaning: several, a certain amount, some, some before the corresponding noun in an English sentence there is a pronoun some (any).
If none of these words can be placed before a Russian noun, then there is no determinant before the corresponding noun in the English sentence.
I bought some apples yesterday - I bought some apples yesterday (a few, some apples)
Hello my wonderful readers!
You can probably guess what is the most frequently used word in English, right? Of course it is the article "the"... And today we will analyze where its use in English is appropriate and where it is not. We will study the rules for its use, look at numerous examples, analyze a table with stable expressions, which you can always have at hand. And then you can go to and to consolidate everything you've learned here.
Go ahead, friends!
A little grammar
If the article "a" (about it in detail!) Is used only with nouns that can be counted, then "the" is used with all nouns: and in singular and plural; with both countable and uncountable objects .
By the way, the pronunciation of the article also changes depending on which letter the next word begins with. If the word begins with a consonant, then the article is pronounced as [ðə], for example the banana - banana. But if the subject begins with a vowel, then it is pronounced like [ði], for example, the apple - Apple.
When used
- If in speech or writing already mentioned the subject, then in the future you can put this article with it.
I received an e-mail from my friends. The letter told me that they would visit me on the weekend.- I received a letter from my friends. The letter said that they would visit me on the weekend.
- With unique items that are one of a kind, we also use the - the sun, the moon, the Earth.
The moon today is extremely beautiful.- The moon is incredibly beautiful today.
- The article has a very special relationship with place names. With titles rivers, deserts, oceans, island groups and mountain ranges we can confidently use the article, but we must not forget about the exceptions. I am very detailed about them.
The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.- The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.
The Comoro Islands attract lots of tourists every year.- The Comoros attracts many tourists every year.
- With titles hotels, cinemas, ships, museums, galleries and newspapers we also use the definite article most often.
The Hilton hotel is about to open in our city.- The Hilton hotel is about to open in our city.
The Louvre is the most attended museum in Europe.- The Louvre is the most visited museum in Europe.
- With adjectives of the highest degree of comparisons: the most, the best, the worst.
The most beautiful place I’ve ever been is Japan in spring.- The most beautiful place I've ever seen is Japan in the spring.
The best books I’ve ever read were about Harry Potter.- The best books I've read are Harry Potter.
- With musical instruments and titles dancing.
The violin is my most beloved musical instrument.- The violin is my favorite musical instrument.
The contemporary has become very popular among dancers some years ago.- Contempo became very popular among dancers a few years ago.
When not used
It is extremely important to know when the definite article is used, but it is equally important to know when it is not used.
- With plural nouns that cannot be counted when we tell something general.
Trees produce oxygen.- Trees produce oxygen. (Any trees in general)
- With names own and before names we never use it.
Jinny is very talented. She can play 3 different musical instruments.- Ginny is very talented. She can play three different instruments.
- With titles countries, cities, streets, parks, mountains, lakes, bridges and islands we try to avoid it.
Spain is mostly famous for its football club Barcelona... - Spain is mainly known for its football club Barcelona.
I dream of climbing Everest.- I dream of climbing Everest.
- With titles kinds of sports, activities, games, flowers, days, months, drinks, dinners he is not friendly.
I can speak Turkish a little.- I can speak a little Turkish.
I was born in July... - I was born in July.
My favorite color is green... - Green is my favorite color.
- If we have pronouns this, that, those- we not use "the" Moreover, with possessive pronouns (and the possessive case in general!), we also do not use it.
This the ball was signed by a famous football player.- This ball was signed by a famous football player.
Kathy's dress is ready. I've already cleaned it.- Casey's dress is ready. I cleaned it yesterday.
- With words school, church, hospital, college, university, court, prison we use or do not use it depending on the meaning... Let's see an example:
I go to school from Monday to Friday.- I go to school from Monday to Friday. (as a student)
My mother went to the school for a meeting... - My mom went to school for a meeting. (As a parent, not as a schoolboy)
- With titles diseases we can also use or do not use article.
I've got (the) flu... - I got sick.
Stable expressions
Both the and a form stable expressions that cannot be changed in any way. So let's get to know them (By the way, if you need general information about the articles of the English language, then you).
I am sure that now that you have a tooltip in the form of a table and structured rules in your hands, it will be much easier for you to master the ones that I have prepared for you. And after them you can go to. Practice as much as possible, practice, learn new rules and improve your English.
And I am ready to help you with this. The materials on my blog are constantly updated, and my subscribers receive them even earlier than they appear on the site. I am also waiting for you there, so that I will share important materials with the very first.
And for today I say goodbye.