What Are Articles?

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the
following examples:

After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good.

By using the article the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long
and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.
After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.
By using the article a, we’ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of
tea would taste good after any long day.

Real-time suggestions, wherever you write.

GET GRAMMARLYIT'S FREE

Real-time suggestions, wherever you write.

GET GRAMMARLYIT'S FREE
 Articles

Grammarly

GRAMMAR TIPS

What Are Articles?

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the
following examples:

After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good.

By using the article the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long
and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.
After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.

By using the article a, we’ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of
tea would taste good after any long day.

Confused about articles?

Grammarly provides suggestions as you write.
GET GRAMMARLY
English has two types of articles: definite and indefinite. Let’s discuss them now in
more detail.

The Definite Article

The definite article is the word the. It limits the meaning of a noun to one particular
thing. For example, your friend might ask, “Are you going to the party this
weekend?” The definite article tells you that your friend is referring to a specific
party that both of you know about. The definite article can be used with
singular, plural, or uncountable nouns. Below are some examples of the definite
article the used in context:

Please give me the hammer.

Please give me the red hammer; the blue one is too small.

Please give me the nail.

Please give me the large nail; it’s the only one strong enough to hold this painting.

Please give me the hammer and the nail.

The Indefinite Article

The indefinite article takes two forms. It’s the word a when it precedes a word that
begins with a consonant. It’s the word an when it precedes a word that begins with
a vowel. The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather
than a particular thing. For example, you might ask your friend, “Should I
bring a gift to the party?” Your friend will understand that you are not asking about
a specific type of gift or a specific item. “I am going to bring an apple pie,” your
friend tells you. Again, the indefinite article indicates that she is not talking about a
specific apple pie. Your friend probably doesn’t even have any pie yet. The
indefinite article only appears with singular nouns. Consider the following
examples of indefinite articles used in context:

Please hand me a book; any book will do.

Please hand me an autobiography; any autobiography will do.

Exceptions: Choosing A or An

There are a few exceptions to the general rule of using a before words that start
with consonants and an before words that begin with vowels. The first letter of the
word honor, for example, is a consonant, but it’s unpronounced. In spite of its
spelling, the word honor begins with a vowel sound. Therefore, we use an.
Consider the example sentence below for an illustration of this concept.

My mother is a honest woman.

My mother is an honest woman.

Similarly, when the first letter of a word is a vowel but is pronounced with a
consonant sound, use a, as in the sample sentence below:

She is an United States senator.

She is a United States senator.

This holds true with acronyms and initialisms, too: an LCD display, a UK-based

company, an HR department, a URL.
Article Before an Adjective

Sometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective. The

usual word order is article + adjective + noun. If the article is indefinite,
choose a or an based on the word that immediately follows it. Consider the
following examples for reference:

Eliza will bring a small gift to Sophie’s party.

I heard an interesting story yesterday.

Indefinite Articles with Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are nouns that are either difficult or impossible to count.
Uncountable nouns include intangible things (e.g., information, air), liquids (e.g.,
milk, wine), and things that are too large or numerous to count (e.g., equipment,
sand, wood). Because these things can’t be counted, you should never
use a or an with them—remember, the indefinite article is only for singular nouns.
Uncountable nouns can be modified by words like some, however. Consider the
examples below for reference:

Please give me a water.

Water is an uncountable noun and should not be used with the indefinite article.

Please give me some water.

However, if you describe the water in terms of countable units (like bottles), you
can use the indefinite article.

Please give me a bottle of water.

Please give me an ice.

Please give me an ice cube.

Please give me some ice .

Note that depending on the context, some nouns can be countable or uncountable
(e.g., hair, noise, time):

We need a light in this room.

We need some light in this room.

Using Articles with Pronouns

Possessive pronouns can help identify whether you’re talking about specific or
nonspecific items. As we’ve seen, articles also indicate specificity. But if you use
both a possessive pronoun and an article at the same time, readers will become
confused. Possessive pronouns are words like his, my, our, its, her, and their.
Articles should not be used with pronouns. Consider the examples below.

Why are you reading the my book?

The and my should not be used together since they are both meant to modify the
same noun. Instead, you should use one or the other, depending on the intended
meaning:

Why are you reading the book?

Why are you reading my book?

Omission of Articles

Occasionally, articles are omitted altogether before certain nouns. In these cases,
the article is implied but not actually present. This implied article is sometimes
called a “zero article.” Often, the article is omitted before nouns that refer to
abstract ideas. Look at the following examples:
 Let’s go out for a dinner tonight.

Let’s go out for dinner tonight.

The creativity is a valuable quality in children.

Creativity is a valuable quality in children.

Many languages and nationalities are not preceded by an article. Consider the

example below:

I studied the French in high school for four years.

I studied French in high school for four years.

Sports and academic subjects do not require articles. See the sentences below for
reference:

I like to play the baseball.

I like to play baseball .

My sister was always good at the math .

My sister was always good at math .

EXCEPTIONS TO USING THE DEFINITE ARTICLE

There is no article:
with names of countries (if singular)
 Germany is an important economic power.
 He’s just returned from Zimbabwe.
(But: I’m visiting the United States next week.)
with the names of languages
 French is spoken in Tahiti.
 English uses many words of Latin origin.
 Indonesian is a relatively new language.
with the names of meals.

 Lunch is at midday.
 Dinner is in the evening.
 Breakfast is the first meal of the day.
 with people’s names (if singular):
 John‘s coming to the party.
 George King is my uncle.
 (But: we’re having lunch with the Morgans tomorrow.)
with titles and names:
 Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth’s son.
 President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
 Dr. Watson was Sherlock Holmes’ friend.
 (But: the Queen of England, the Pope.)
After the ‘s possessive case:
 His brother’s car. 
 Peter’s house.
with professions
 Engineering is a useful career.
 He’ll probably go into medicine.
with names of shops
 I’ll get the card at Smith’s.
 Can you go to Boots for me?
 (Unless is part of the name – e.g. The Body Shop)
with years:

 1948 was a wonderful year.

 Do you remember 1995?
With uncountable nouns:

 Rice is the main food in Asia.

 Milk is often added to tea in England.
 War is destructive.
with the names of individual mountains, lakes and islands:
 Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in Alaska.
 She lives near Lake Windermere.
 Have you visited Long Island?
with most names of towns, streets, stations and airports:
 Victoria Station is in the centre of London.
 Can you direct me to Bond Street?
 She lives in Florence.
 They’re flying from Heathrow.
in some fixed expressions, for example:
 by car
 by train
 by air
 on foot
 on holiday
 on air (in broadcasting)
 at school
 at work
 at University
 in church
 in prison
 in bed
 Using Articles with Examples
  (5/5, 148 votes)





Definite article or Indefinite article, each of the articles has different uses in
different situations.

Using Indefinite Article: a & an

Rule 1:
A common noun in the singular number always requires an article before it. But a
plural common noun does not require an article always. A plural common noun can
have the article ‘the’ if we want to particularise that noun.
Example:
o I saw a snake. (Refers to a random snake)
o I saw snakes in a zoo. (No article is required)
o I have seen the snake again. (Refers to the snake I have already seen earlier)
o I have seen the snakes again before leaving the zoo. (Refers to the particular
snakes of the zoo which I saw earlier.)
Rule 2:
The choice between the two indefinite articles – a & an – is determined by sound.
Words beginning with consonant sounds precede ‘a’ and words beginning with
vowel sounds precede ‘an’. There are some special cases also. For instance,
o a university, a union, a useful book, etc.
o a one-dollar note, a one-man army, etc.
o an MA, a BA, an LLB, a BSC, etc.
Rule 3:
A or an - sometimes makes a Proper Noun a Common Noun. Proper nouns generally
do not take any articles, but when a proper noun needs to be used as a common
noun, you must bring a or an - for it.  
Example: 
o He thinks he is a Shakespeare. (Here, ‘Shakespeare’ does not refer to the actual
person but someone like him.)
o He seems to be an Australian. (‘Australia’ is a proper noun but ‘Australian’ is a
common noun because there is only one Australia but a million of Australians.)
Rule 4:

Sometimes indefinite articles are used to refer the number ‘one’/’each’/’per’.

Example:
o I earned a thousand dollar in that job. (One thousand dollar)
o I have a car. (One car)
o It goes 50 miles an hour. (Per Hour)
Rule 5:
Indefinite articles often precede descriptive adjectives.
Example:
o He is a good boy.
o What a nice car!
Rule 6:
‘A’ sometimes comes before determiners, for example,  a few, a little, a lot of, a
most, etc. but in the case of many, a or an - comes after.
Example:
o I have a few friends coming over.
o There is a little milk in the jar.
o Many a fan welcomed
Using Definite Article: the
Rule 1:
‘The’ is used to indicate a particular person(s) or thing(s) in the case of common
nouns. Proper nouns generally do not take an article.
Example:
o The man is running. (A particular man)
o I saw the boy stealing.
o Where is the pen I gave you last year?
o I gave him a ball, but he lost the ball. (‘a ball’ became ‘the ball’ in the second
clause because that ball was not a random ball anymore.)
Rule 2:
Sometimes ‘the’ is used to generalize a group/whole class.
Example:
o The dog is a faithful animal. (Refers to the whole species of dog.)
o The English are industrious. (Refers to the people of England as a nation)
o The honest are respected. (The+adjectives = plural noun)
o The poor are not always dishonest. (The+adjectives = plural noun)
Rule 3:

To particularise a non-count noun ‘the’ is required before it.

Example:
o The water of the Arctic ocean is freezing.
o Please return the money I lent you last year.
Rule 4:

‘The’ is mandatory before a thing which is only one of a kind in the universe.

Example:
o The moon is shining tonight.
o The earth is moving around the sun.

Use of ‘the’ before geographical places :

Rule 5:
Using ‘the’ with geographical nouns generally depends on the size and plurality of
the things those nouns refer to. ‘The’ is generally used everywhere except some
cases. So, it’s better to know those exceptions first.
‘The’ must not precede:
o Names of continents: Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, South America, North
America, Antarctica.
o Names of countries: Australia, Bolivia, England, France, Spain, etc.
o Names of states, cities, or towns: Los Angeles, Alaska, Sydney, London,
o Names of streets: George street, Albion Street, New town street,
o Names of singular lakes and bays: Lake Carey, Lake Eyre, Lake Hillier, Shark
Bay,
o Names of single mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Solitary, Mount Bindo, Mount
Fuji, etc.
o Names of single islands: Easter Island, Bare Island, Bird Island, Fatima Island,
o Names of languages:  Spanish, Russian, English,   (When ‘the’ precedes these
nouns, they refer to the population of those languages.)
o Names of sports: cricket, football, basketball,
o Names of discipline/subject of studies:  biology, history, computer
science,mathematics,   
Note:
‘The’ is a widely used article in English. Except for the list mentioned above and
proper nouns, ‘the’ is used before almost all the nouns which mean something
definite/particular. The above list has some opposite factors also. Those factors
are explained in the following list:     
‘The’ must precede:
o Names of oceans, gulfs, seas, and rivers: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Coral
Sea, the Timor Sea, the Persian Gulf,the  Nile, the Murray River, the Darling River,
etc.
o Names of countries with united states or islands: the United States of America
(the USA), the UK, the UAE, the Philippines, etc.
o Names of great lakes: the Great Lakes, the African Great Lakes
o Names of mountain ranges: the Himalayas, the Alps, the Andes, etc.
o Names of a group of Islands: the West Indies, the Andamans, etc.

Which article is used before exercise?

Use 'A' before a word which begins with a consonant sound. Attention: Note that the
pronunciation is what matters when choosing between a & an. Exercise: Fill in the
blanks with A or An.

Indefinite Articles A / AN - GrammarBank

www.grammarbank.com › indefinite-articles

Search for: Which article is used before exercise?

Where do we use no articles?
No article is used when a plural countable noun is generic or nonspecific. No
article is used when a noncount noun is generic or nonspecific.

Articles - Grammar - Academic Guides at Walden University

academicguides.waldenu.edu › writingcenter › articles
 Search for: Where do we use no articles?
When to use a an the or no article?
The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is
known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or
when its identity is not known. There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.

Definite and Indefinite Articles (a, an, the) - TIP Sheets - Butte
College
www.butte.edu › departments › cas › tipsheets › grammar

Search for: When to use a an the or no article?

What is Article example?
English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns;
a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite
article and a/an the indefinite article. For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a
specific book.

How to Use Articles (a/an/the) // Purdue Writing Lab

owl.purdue.edu › owl › grammar › using_articles

Search for: What is Article example?

What are the 10 best exercises?










What are the exercise for abs?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Is no an article?
No article, or zero article as it is usually called, is definitely a form of article. We use
zero article with plural and uncountable nouns when we are referring to things in general:
Tennis is a beautiful game.

Why do we use an instead of a?

Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that
start with a vowel sound. Other letters can also be pronounced either way. Just
remember it is the sound that governs whether you use “a” or “an,” not the actual
first letter of the word

Can y be a vowel?
Y is considered to be a vowel if… ... When y forms a diphthong—two vowel sounds joined
in one syllable to form one speech sound, such as the "oy" in toy, "ay" in day, and "ey" in
monkey—it is also regarded as a vowel. Typically, y represents a consonant when it starts
off a word or syllable, as in yard, lawyer, or beyond.

When Is 'Y' a Vowel or Consonant? | Merriam-Webster

www.merriam-webster.com › words-at-play › why-y-is-so...

Search for: Can y be a vowel?

How do you use rather than?
We use rather than to give more importance to one thing when two alternatives or
preferences are being compared: He wanted to be an actor rather than a comedian.

What is the difference between vowels and consonants?

The difference between vowels and consonants

A vowel is a speech sound made with your mouth fairly open, the nucleus of a
spoken syllable. A consonant is a sound made with your mouth fairly closed. ...
Most syllables contain a vowel, though vowel-like consonants can occasionally be
syllables.

a, an, the, no a

Search modes
All

Images

Videos

News

Maps
More
SettingsTools

About 37,10,00,000 results (0.54 seconds) 

Search Results
Featured snippet from the web
 View all

Exercise 1

 1We bought some cheese and ham. The. A. - cheese was delicious.
 2It's. an. - the. interesting book.
 3There was. a. the. - document on the table.
 4Experts say that. a. the. - coffee can be good for your health.
 5I don't have. - a. the. car.
 6Can you pass me. a. - the. ...
 - A. The. president visited our school.
 8My father is. - a. the.
More items...

a/an, the, no article – the use of articles in English - Test ...

test-english.com › ... › A1 Grammar lessons and exercises

1.
Feedback

About Featured Snippets

Web results

Articles A, An, The | ENGLISH PAGE

www.englishpage.com › articles

1.
Articles A An The Exercises. EXERCISE, TOPICS COVERED. Articles Exercise 1 · A vs. An
vs. No Article (Uses 1 - 4).
 Grammar Exercise - Articles (a, an, the or zero article)
www.myenglishpages.com › site_php_files › grammar-...

1.
English grammar exercises and quizzes online. Free exercises on definite and ... Choose the
correct article: a, an, the or x (no article). Are you coming to.

MY ENGLISH EXAM: Mixed Articles Exercise #1 (A, An, The ...

www.learnenglishfeelgood.com › mixed-english-articles1

1.
MY ENGLISH EXAM: Mixed Articles Exercise #1 (A, An, The, No article) - self study.

English articles exercise (ESL): Article or No Article? 1

www.learnenglishfeelgood.com › english-article-no-arti...

1.
Choose the correct (and most natural-sounding) response to complete each sentence: 1. ______
Swedish is a difficult language to learn. NO ARTICLE The A 2.

People also ask

Which article is used before exercise?
Use 'A' before a word which begins with a consonant sound. Attention: Note that the
pronunciation is what matters when choosing between a & an. Exercise: Fill in the
blanks with A or An.

Indefinite Articles A / AN - GrammarBank

www.grammarbank.com › indefinite-articles

Search for: Which article is used before exercise?

Where do we use no articles?
No article is used when a plural countable noun is generic or nonspecific. No
article is used when a noncount noun is generic or nonspecific.
 Articles - Grammar - Academic Guides at Walden University
academicguides.waldenu.edu › writingcenter › articles

Search for: Where do we use no articles?

When to use a an the or no article?
The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is
known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or
when its identity is not known. There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.

Definite and Indefinite Articles (a, an, the) - TIP Sheets - Butte
College
www.butte.edu › departments › cas › tipsheets › grammar

Search for: When to use a an the or no article?

What is Article example?
English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns;
a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite
article and a/an the indefinite article. For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a
specific book.

How to Use Articles (a/an/the) // Purdue Writing Lab

owl.purdue.edu › owl › grammar › using_articles

Search for: What is Article example?

What are the 10 best exercises?









 What are the exercise for abs?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Is no an article?
No article, or zero article as it is usually called, is definitely a form of article. We use
zero article with plural and uncountable nouns when we are referring to things in general:
Tennis is a beautiful game.

BBC World Service | Learning English | Learn it

www.bbc.co.uk › grammar › learnit › learnitv349

Search for: Is no an article?

What is article and its uses?
Definition of Articles

An article is a word used to modify a noun, which is a person, place, object, or idea.
Technically, an article is an adjective, which is any word that modifies a noun. Usually
adjectives modify nouns through description, but articles are used instead to point out or
refer to nouns.Nov 2, 2015

What Are Articles in English Grammar? - Definition, Use &

Examples ...
study.com › academy › lesson › what-are-articles-in-engli...

Search for: What is article and its uses?

What article is before Easy?
 Why do we use an instead of a?
Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with
a vowel sound. Other letters can also be pronounced either way. Just remember it is the
sound that governs whether you use “a” or “an,” not the actual first letter of the word.Oct 19,
2018

"A" Versus "An": A Guide to Indefinite Articles | Grammar Girl

www.quickanddirtytips.com › education › a-versus-an

Search for: Why do we use an instead of a?

How do you start a good article?
Let me show you how.

1. Master the opening line. To have a strong introduction, you need to open with
a strong first sentence. ...
2. Have something unique to say. ...
3. Keep it simple. ...
4. Speak directly to the reader. ...
5. Explain what the article is about. ...
6. Explain the importance of the article.
Jul 25, 2016

A Guide to Writing a Compelling Article Introduction -

QuickSprout
www.quicksprout.com › a-step-by-step-guide-to-writing-a...

Search for: How do you start a good article?

How do you end an article?

Is article written in box?

What are the 5 basic exercises?

How can I get a nice shape?

How many pushups a day should you do?

What does no article mean?

What is meant by zero article?

The term zero article refers to noun phrases that contain no articles, definite or indefinite.
English, like many other languages, does not require an article in plural noun phrases with a
generic reference, a reference to a general class of things.

Zero-marking in English - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Zero-marking_in_English

Search for: What is meant by zero article?

Where do we use A and an?

What are all the article words?

 What are the functions of articles?

Is it an hour or a hour?

What should I use instead of?

Do you use an before honest?

How do you teach a and an?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Do you put a or an before hour?

You should say, 'an hour' (because hour begins with a vowel sound) and 'a history'
(because history begins with a consonant sound).Aug 1, 2011

Should I Say 'A' Hour Or 'An' Hour? | Writers Write

www.writerswrite.co.za › should-i-say-a-hour-or-an-hour

Search for: Do you put a or an before hour?

 Why is H treated as a vowel?

Why do we say an historic Instead of a historic?

What is the difference between A and an?

What words are vowels?

Why do we use an in front of a vowel?

How do you sound out a big word?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Can y be a vowel?
Y is considered to be a vowel if… ... When y forms a diphthong—two vowel sounds joined
in one syllable to form one speech sound, such as the "oy" in toy, "ay" in day, and "ey" in
monkey—it is also regarded as a vowel. Typically, y represents a consonant when it starts
off a word or syllable, as in yard, lawyer, or beyond.
 When Is 'Y' a Vowel or Consonant? | Merriam-Webster
www.merriam-webster.com › words-at-play › why-y-is-so...

Search for: Can y be a vowel?

How do you use rather than?
We use rather than to give more importance to one thing when two alternatives or
preferences are being compared: He wanted to be an actor rather than a comedian.

Rather - English Grammar Today - Cambridge Dictionary

dictionary.cambridge.org › grammar › british-grammar

Search for: How do you use rather than?

How do we use vowels?

Is AA a word?

What is the difference between vowels and consonants?

The difference between vowels and consonants

A vowel is a speech sound made with your mouth fairly open, the nucleus of a spoken
syllable. A consonant is a sound made with your mouth fairly closed. ... Most syllables
contain a vowel, though vowel-like consonants can occasionally be syllables.Apr 20, 2015

The difference between consonants and vowels | Spelfabet

www.spelfabet.com.au › 2015/04 › the-difference-betwee...

Search for: What is the difference between vowels and consonants?

How do you start and end an article?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

What is the article format?

How big should an article be?

What is a zero plural?

What is the formula for the first conditional?

What is the meaning of articles?

Is it A or A before vowels?

Is it a half hour or an half hour?

Why do we say half an hour?

Is the Y in cry a vowel?

What are the 7 vowels?

Which is the longest word without a vowel?

RHYTHMS
RHYTHMS is perhaps officially the longest word without vowels which can not only be
used in Scrabble, but which also can be used every day in common speech.Apr 29, 2013

The longest Word without Vowels | word-grabber.com - make

words ...
www.word-grabber.com › word-trivia › longest-word-wit...

Search for: Which is the longest word without a vowel?

What is the difference between prefer and rather?
They have much the same sense but there is an important structural difference: rather is an
adverb and prefer is a verb. This means that what follows differs: Rather must be followed
by a bare infinitive verb when indicating something specific. The exception is its use as a
response, specifically: I would rather not.

What is the difference between would rather and would

prefer ...
www.quora.com › What-is-the-difference-between-would...

Search for: What is the difference between prefer and rather?

What is the difference between instead of and rather than?
When the main clause has a to - infinitive, rather than is usually followed by an infinitive
without to or -ing form. e.g. - I decided to write rather than phone/phoning. Instead of
suggests that one person, thing or action replaces another.

What is the shortest word?

Eunoia
Eunoia, at six letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that
contains all five main vowels. Seven letter words with this property include adoulie,
douleia, eucosia, eulogia, eunomia, eutopia, miaoued, moineau, sequoia, and
suoidea. (The scientific name iouea is a genus of Cretaceous fossil sponges.)