Articles
Published by: Zaya
Published Date: 06 Jul 2021
Articles
Among a, an and the a/an are called the indefinite articles, and they are known as definite articles. It is a particular item or object.
Uses of a/an:
- A or An is used with a singular countable noun. Like,
a box; an apple
a ball; an orange
a hotel; an inkpot
- In the sense of one: Robin bought a new dress.
- With jobs or permissions: Aman is an engineer.
- In such + singular nouns: I want such a mobile.
- With singular exclamations: What a boring event!
- To mean each or every: Rita visits her son once a week.
- A is used with a noun that starts with a consonant sound, and 'an' is used with a noun that starts with a vowel sound.
- a bat; an airplane
- a tiffin; an encounter
- a chain; an illusion
- a mobile; an orange
- a cup; an umbrella
In most cases, the letters e, o, u are pronounced as vowels but sometimes they act as consonants.
an essay; a eucalyptus
an ox; a one-eyed man
an urgent matter; a unicorn
- An abbreviation whose first letter has a vowel sound comes with an and the abbreviation whose first letter has consonant sound comes with a.
- an SLC candidate; an SAT score
- an MLA ticket; a WHO officer
- an NTC network; a BBC channel
- . A singular countable noun that starts with the h letter comes with a when it is pronounced, but they come with an when it is silent.
- h is silent; h' is pronounced
- an hour; a hamburger
- an heiress; a house
- an honest person; a half-yearly meeting
- A is used with units of uncountable nouns.
- a bottle of oil; a cup of tea
- a glass of milk; a plate of rice
- A is used with some phrases.
- a few friends; a million
- a meter; a dozen
- A is used with some expressions like:
- have a drink
- at a glance
- get a fever
- at a loss
- in a hurry
- Use a/an when it is used as a definite idea or comes with adjectives.
- Eg: The website provides all-around information.
- Use a/an if an adjective comes before the meal.
- Eg: Rita had a light breakfast in the morning.
Uses of the:
- The is used with superlatives and with other words like the same, the only which implies that there is only one or which makes something unique.
- Superlatives: The next part of the movie is very interesting.
- the only: Tina is the only person who understands me better than myself.
- the same: My shoes and bag are of the same color.
- 'The' should be used always with the names of the following nouns.
- Religious books: the Bible, the Geeta, the Koran, etc
- Newspapers: the Kantipur, the Kathmandu Post, etc
- Famous ships: the Titanic, the Queen, etc
- Political parties: the Nepali Congress, the Communist.
- Titles: the Prime Minister, the President, etc
- Deserts and canals: the Sahara, the Gobi, the Panama canal
- Gulfs and peninsulas: the Black Forest, the Persian Gulf
- Rivers and seas: the Karnali, the Nile, the Rhine.
- Oceans and islands: the Atlantic ocean, the Pacific ocean
- Plural names of countries: the Netherlands, the United States
- Geographical names: the United Kingdom, the United States of America
- Nationality adjectives: the English, the French, the American
- Plural names of families: the Gurungs, the Ranas
- Period of history: the Stone age, the Modern Age
- Historic events: the Independence Day, the Martyrs day
- Famous hotels: the Yak and Yeti, the Annapurna
- Museums and libraries: the National Museum, the American Library
- Historical buildings: the Taj Mahal, the Pashupati Nath Temple
- Historical monuments: the Statue of Liberty, the Little Mermaid
- Theatres and clubs: the Jay Nepal, the Kumari
- Geographical areas: the West, the East
- Celestial bodies: the Sun, the Moon, the Universe
- Mountain ranges: the Himalayas, the Alps,
- Use 'the' with musical instruments when we talk about them in many senses.
- Can you play the piano?
- My friend is playing the guitar.
- Use 'the' with parts of the body when we talk about their measurement, anatomy, and function.
- The lung purifies the blood.
- The heart sends blood around the body.
- Use the with gerund(ing) forms and abstract nouns in the structure.
- The main aim of our website is to develop the education system.
- The making of this video was not much expensive.
- Use the' when the proper noun is treated as a common noun by comparison.
- Aman is the Leonardo Da Vinci of this class.
- Shreeja is the Shakespeare of this class.
- Use 'the' when the uncountable noun is definite.
- The juice in the glass is sugar-free.
- The milk in the fridge is fresh.
- Use the with the part of the body when it is referred to as the person in the object position.
- The ball hit the old lady in the head.
- Kabir gave him a blow on the face.
The omission of articles:
- Do not use articles with proper nouns in a general sense.
- He went to Pokhara last week.
- Do not use articles with abstract nouns in a general sense.
- Education is the birthright of everyone.
- Do not use articles with meals.
- We take breakfast at home.
- Aman invited me to lunch.
- Do not use articles with uncountable nouns.
- Do not use articles if they are used in the sentence for the primary purpose.
- They sell clothes in the showroom.
- The criminal is kept in prison.
Things to remember:
- Do not use articles with proper nouns in a general sense.
- Do not use articles if they are used in the sentence for the primary purpose.
- The is used with superlatives and with other words like the same, the only which implies that there is only one or which makes something unique.
- Use a/an when it is used as a definite idea or comes with adjectives.