ARTICLES

 Articles are words that are used to define a noun as definite or indefinite. And, thus, we classify articles into following two types

        1.  Definite articles- The definite article is used to define a particular or               specific noun. ( noun already known to the reader). ‘THE’ is a definite article.

  Example- The apple was juicy and delicious. (Definite, because it is known to us.)

        2.  Indefinite articles- The indefinite articles refer to a general noun                   (name/person/idea) rather than a particular or specific noun. ’A’ and ‘AN’ are            indefinite articles.

  Example- I ate an apple yesterday. (Indefinite)

         RULES

1.    Article ‘an’ must be used before words that start with vowels (a, e, i, o, u).

Example- Please, give me anautobiography to read.

Note- When the first letter of a word is a CONSONANT but is pronounced with a VOWEL sound, article‘a’ should be preferred.

Example-

i)                 Mr. Crook is anhonest man.

ii)              They had cake and ice cream and talked for nearly anhour about one thing and another.

iii)           My mother is anM.Sc.

iv)            There is anX- ray machine.

2.    Article ‘a’ must be used before words that start with consonants.  (c, d, f, g, h, k ............).

Example- Please, give me abook to read.

Note- When the first letter of a word is a VOWEL but is pronounced with a CONSONANT sound, article‘a’ should be preferred.

Example-

i)   My aunt is a  United States senator.

ii)  She is a  European.

iii) This is  a one-way road.

iv)  My father is a  university teacher.

3.     We use the article ‘a’ or ‘an’ to denote any non-specified member of a group or category.

Example- we are looking for a car/ an apartment.

4.    We use the article ‘a’ or ‘an’ to denote something one in number.

Example- I own a dog and two rabbits. ( no. of dog is one)

5.    Article ‘a’ or ‘an’ should be used before the structure “adjective + noun”.

Example- I saw an  interesting  movie yesterday.

6.    Article ‘a’ or ‘an’ should not be used before uncountable nouns.

Example- Please give me a water. (Incorrect)

Note- However, if we describe uncountable nouns in terms of countable entities, article a/an  can be used

      Example- Please give me a  bottle of water.( one bottle)

7.    Article ‘a’ or ‘an’ should not be used before an abstract idea.

Example- An honesty is the best policy. (Incorrect)

              Honesty is the best policy. (Correct)

For Rules of article "THE" click Here