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
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?
References:
1. Practical English Usage, Third Edition- Michael Swan
2. English Grammar in Use, Fourth Edition- Raymond Murphy