Use of Articles in English Grammar

Use of Articles in English Grammar – Uses of “A”

1. Before a singular noun beginning with a consonant.

Examples –

  • A Camera
  • A Tree
  • A Book




2. Words beginning with a consonant sound “yu” though it may begin with a vowel letter.

Examples –

  • A useful animal
  • A European
  • A University

3. Words beginning with a “wa” sound , even though it may begin with a vowel letter.

Examples –

  • A one rupee note
  • A one eyed monster

Note : –

We do not use ‘A’ before uncountable nouns like ink, water, milk, wood etc

Eg : – We drink water, milk is good for health

4. Use of “a” may also depend on the context in which it is used. For eg: ‘a’ is used before a countable noun which represents a class of things.

Examples –

  • A cow has horns
  • An elephant never forgets

5. Before the names of –

  • PROFESSION – A DOCTOR, A TEACHER
  • PRICE, SPEED – 15 RUPEES A KILO, 50 KM AN HOUR
  • IN THE SENSE OF EXCLAMATION – A CUTE BABY, A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE
  • INDEFINITE ARTICLE ‘A’ IS USED BEFORE NOUNS SUCH AS HERO, GENIUS, FOOL, THIEF AND LIAR.




6. When we make a Common noun of a Proper noun.

Example –

  • He is a Gandhi.

Use of Articles in English Grammar – Uses of “An”

1. ‘An’ is used before a singular noun which begins with a vowel  a, e, i, o, u.

Examples –

  • An axe
  • An owl
  • An eye

2. Before a word that does not begin with a vowel but has a vowel sound.

Examples –

  • An hour
  • An honest man

3. ‘An’ may also be used before individual letters spoken with a vowels sound.

Examples –

  • An M.P
  • An S.P
  • An M.L.A

Use of Articles in English Grammar – Uses of “the”

1. The is called a definite article because it points out some definite or particular person or thing.

Examples –

  • The doctor gave the medicine for flu.
  • She read the book on reptiles.

2. Before oceans, rivers, seas, desert, names of some well known books, islands, mountain ranges, newspapers, ordinal numbers.

Examples –

  • The Sahara desert
  • The Himalayas
  • The first Indian
  • The Ganga
  • The Times of India




3. When we speak of a particular person or thing or the one already mentioned, that is why it is called a definite article.

Examples –

  • Shut the door of the bedroom.
  • Call the boy in the room

4. We use ‘THE’ when a noun which is singular in number but is meant to represent a whole class.

Examples –

  • The lion is the king of the jungle.
  • The peacock is our national bird.

5. Before the names of things unique in their kind.

Examples –

  • The sun rises in the east.
  • The moon shines at night.

6. We use ‘The’ with those adjectives that are used as nouns.

Examples –

  • The rich are not always happy.
  • The poor also have self-respect.

7. ‘The’ is used with phrases that specify a person on object.

Examples –

  • The first house
  • The next station.

8. Before an adverb with comparatives.

Examples –

  • The more
  • The merrier

9. Before a proper noun proceeded by an adjective.

Examples –

  • The great Lata Mangeshkar
  • The Mrs. Sharma you met yesterday.

10. Before a common noun to give it the meaning of an abstract noun.

Example –

  • At last the teacher in her was stirred.

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