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.