Get your articles right

 Himani Ochani

Articles are parts of speech that are used before a noun. There are three articles: A, an, the. ‘A’ and ‘an’ are called definite articles. ‘The’ is called indefinite article.

1) ‘A’ and ‘an’ are used to talk about any object whereas ‘the’ is used to talk a particular object.

For example:

Touch a chair. (Touch any chair, perhaps one of many chairs in the room.)

Touch the chair on which Ben is sitting. (Touch the specific chair on which Ben is sitting.)

2) ‘A/ an’ are used when the speaker is not aware. ‘The’ is used when the speaker is aware.

For example:

Is there a dentist nearby? (I am not sure of there is a dentists nearby.)

I have to go to the dentist today. ( I am thinking of a specific dentist.)

Common mistakes

1. Don't use ‘a/an’ with plural or uncountable nouns:

For example: 

Carl collects cars. (not a cars)

The plants need water. (not a water)

2) Don't use the to talk about things in general. 

For example:

Cats can climb trees. (not the cats)

3) Don't use articles with my, this, or other determiners. (my, your, his, her, its; our, their, whose, this, that, these, those, which)

For example:

This is not my problem. (not the my problem)

 4) Don’t use singular countable nouns alone, without an article or a determiner.

For example:

Feed the dog. (not feed dog)

— Inputs from Enguru app

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Exercise: 

Fill in the blanks with the correct answer (a/an/the):

1. My sister loves ______  dogs.

2. Are you coming for ______ movie tomorrow?

3. _______ apple ____ day keeps _____ doctor away.

4. I can drive for 90 kilometres ______ hour.

5. She does not play _______ cricket.

6. He has ______ cat at home.

7. Are you going to ______ United Arab Emirates?

8. The onions are 50 rupees _______ kilogram.

9. Hi! I am _______ John.

10. Do you read ______ Quran everyday?

Answers:

1. My sister loves (no article) dogs.

2. Are you coming for the movie tomorrow?

3. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

4. I can drive for 90 kilometres an hour.

5. She does not play (no article) cricket.

6. He has a cat at home.

7. Are you going to the United Arab Emirates?

8. The onions are 50 rupees a kilogram.

9. Hi! I am (no article) John.

10. Do you read the Quran everyday?

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References:

1. Practical English Usage, Third Edition- Michael Swan

2. English Grammar in Use, Fourth Edition- Raymond Murphy