Articles: Definite and Indefinite, Uses of Grammar

Articles: Definite and Indefinite, Uses of Grammar

Here we cover what Are Articles and their some examples and know about The Definite Article and The Indefinite Article and their 5 examples and what is the Exceptions of Choosing A or An from the  the general rules and Sometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective so here also we know Article Before an Adjective with a simple example. will know Uncountable nouns can be modified by words so here we discuss Indefinite Articles with Uncountable Nouns and also we know Articles should not be used with pronouns. so let’s know about Using Articles with Pronouns. and we describe the Omission of Articles. so Occasionally, articles are omitted altogether before certain nouns. So, almost time is start now let’s know a complete grammar guide from our team live learns……

Definition OR Meaning 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. AS Usual adjectives modify nouns through description, but articles are used instead to point out or refer to nouns. There are two different types of articles that we the team live learns use in writing and conversation to point out or refer to a noun or group of nouns: definite and indefinite articles

LOOK ON THIS

👉🧾Direct and indirect speech exercises | Rules for Direct and Indirect Speech 🧾👈

What are articles?

A or An and The are usually called Articles.

They are really demonstrative Adjectives.

* A or An is called the indefinite article because it is used when we don’t speak of any particular or definite person or thing;as,

I saw a boy in the bazaar.

I found an umbrella lying in the room.

* The is called the definite article, because it is used when we speak of some particular person or thing; as,

This is the man whom I saw yesterday.

This is the beggar who pretended to be dumb.

  • the freckles on my face
  • the alligator in the pond
  • the breakfast burrito on my plate

Uses of indefinite article:

* A singular noun which is countable when it is mentioned for the first time and represents no particular person or thing must have an article before; as,

A dog is an animal.

A house has a roof.

* A is not normally used before nouns standing for things that can’t be counted, i.e, before nouns that have no plural; as, ink, water, milk, wood, meat.

Example

Fill your pen with ink.

We drink water.

* A or An is used before a singular countable noun which is used to represent a class of things; as,

A cow has horns.

An elephant never forgets.

* The name of professions and occupations take the indefinite article; as,

His brother is a teacher.

I hope to be a doctor.

* The same thing applies to nouns such as hero, genius, fool, thief and liar.

Ex_

He fought like a hero.

His son is a genius.

He behaved like a fool.

A is used before:

* Words beginning with the sound of consonant;as, a boy, a woman, a cow

* Such vowels as have the sound of ‘yu’; as, a useful person, a unit, a University, a European, a utensil

* An is used before words beginning with a  vowel or with a letter h which is not sounded; as, an eye, an idiot, an hour, an honest man.

* The indefinite article is used_ in the sense of one; as,

He slew seven at a blow.

Not a word is said.

* In the sense of a certain; as,

I met a beggar who pretended to be dumb.

* To make a common  noun of a proper noun; as,

A Daniel came to judgement.

He thinks he is a nepolean.

* In such expressions; as, 

Twice a month, a rupee, a dozen, sixteen kilometres an hour, four times a day,

Use of definite article:

The definite article The is used :

* When we refer to some particular person or thing; as,

Call the boy standing outside.

The house I have just bought is a spacious one.

* When a singular common noun is used to indicate a whole class;as,

The cow is a useful animal.

The tiger is a fierce animal.

* If the noun is changed into plural form, then the definite article is omitted; as,

Tigers are fierce animals.

* As an adverb with comparatives in such sentences; as,

The more one has the more one wants.

* Before the rivers, ranges of mountains, and groups of islands; as,

The Ganges, the Indus, the Himalayas, the British Isles, the Andamans

* Before oceans, seas, gulfs, bays, and straits; as,

The Indian Ocean, the Atlantic, the Red sea

*  Before the names of some countries; as,

The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States

* Before the names of newspapers, magazines,etc; as,

The Times of India, the statesman, the modern languages review, 

* Before the names of some well-known books; as

The Bible, the Vedas, the Ramayana, the Arabian Nights

But we say_ Homer’s Odyssey, Valmiki’s Ramayana

* Before names of ships and trains;

The Queen Elizabeth is a famous British liner.

* Before plural proper names, such names of nations and families; as,

The French live in France.

The Smiths used to live in this house.

* Before common nouns which are names of things unique of their kind; as,

The sun, the moon, the sky, the sea, the ocean, the world, the universe

The earth moves round the sun.

The world is a happy place.

* Before ordinals; as,

The first of March, on the third occasion, the fifth time

* Before superlatives; as,

This is the best book on English grammar.

He is the worst boy in the class.

* Before an adjective when the noun is understood; as,

The rich should help the poor.

We pity the blind and the deaf.

* Before a proper noun when it is qualified by an adjective, or a phrase or a clause used as an adjective; as,

The immortal Shakespeare, the great Caesar, the famous Napoleon.

Omission of the article:

The article is omitted in the following cases:

Case 1

*Before common noun used in their widest sense; as,

Man is mortal.

Woman is the ornament of home.

What sort of man is he?

Case 2

*Before proper nouns; as,

Russia is a great country.

Ashok and Akbar were great kings.

Case 3

* Before abstract nouns used in general sense; as,

He loved truth and wisdom.

He was a man of justice and mercy.

Case 4

* Before plural nouns when they are used in a general sense; as,

Apples are grown in Himachal Pradesh.

Case 5

* Before material nouns; as,

Silver and gold are found in India.

Houses are built of stone and brick.

Case 6

* Before the names of games; as,

I play football.

Cricket is played in India.

Case 7

* Before the names of meals; if they refer to the meals generally; as

Breakfast is ready.

When do you have dinner.

Case 8

* In such expressions as all day and all night;

I have worked hard all day.

Case 9

In such expressions as by land, by sea, by air, by train, by bus etc.

Case 10

In such expressions as go to school, go to market, go to church, go to hospital, go to prison.

3 thoughts on “Articles: Definite and Indefinite, Uses of Grammar”

  1. Everything is very open with a really clear clarification of the challenges.
    It was truly informative. Your website is extremely
    helpful. Many thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

%d