Class I English Grammar Articles (a, an, the)

English Grammar Class 1

Articles (a, an, the)

In today’s lesson, we will discuss the articles, a, an, and the. Articles are a type
of adjectives that are used before nouns or pronouns. There are two types of
articles. They are definite and indefinite articles. The definite article “the”
denotes the noun's identity and familiarises the reader with it. The indefinite
articles, “a”, and “an” is used before a noun whose identity is unknown and that
is general. Practice questions and solved examples are given throughout the
article for better understanding and concept clarity. Let’s begin the journey on
this fantastic topic.

Image: Introduction to Grammar

Articles (a, an, the)

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Class I English Grammar Articles (a, an, the)

Image: A, An, The

• Articles ("a," "an," and "the") are called determiners or noun markers.
• The function of these articles is to specify if the noun is general or
specific.
• The articles "a" and "an" are indefinite articles. They are used with
singular nouns that are countable. The noun associated is very general
and not specific.
• The article "the" is a definite article, and can be used with both singular
and plural nouns. Countable and uncountable nouns are both
accompanied by a definite article. It denoted the specificity of a noun.

Definite Article Indefinite Articles

“The” is called the definite “A” and “an” are called indefinite articles.
article.

It shows specific references They describe the nouns that are general and
that are known to the reader. not specific and their identity is not known
by the reader.

It is used with nouns in both They are used with singular nouns.
the singular and plural forms.

It is used with nouns that are They are used with countable nouns.
both countable and
uncountable.

For example, For example,

• I am working on the • This is a fruit.
findings of the project.
• That is an elephant.
• Did you watch the
• Did you watch a movie this weekend?
movie that won many
awards?

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Class I English Grammar Articles (a, an, the)

“A” and “An”

Image: A and An
• "A" and "an" are used when the noun is nonspecific or general. More
clearly, they are accompanied by singular nouns that are countable.
• For example, I do not need a bag. In the given sentence, "bag" is a
singular countable noun. It is also not specific as it could be any bag.
• I would like to have an orange. In the given sentence, "orange" is a
singular countable noun.
A
• When a noun begins with a consonant or a consonant sound, the article
“a” is used.
• a bat.
• a kettle.
• a cat.
• a uniform. In this example "uniform" starts with a vowel, but it is treated
like a consonant because of the sound of the first syllable which is /j/ or a
“y” sound.
• Shiksha would like to study at a university that specializes in research. In
the example, "University" is a singular countable noun. It begins with a
vowel, but is treated like a consonant because of the sound of the first
syllable which is /j/ or “y.” In this sentence, the noun used is also
general(as it could be any university with this specialization, and doesn’t
denote a specific one).

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Class I English Grammar Articles (a, an, the)

An
• When a noun begins with a vowel or a vowel sound, “an” is used.
• an elephant
• an American
• an MBA. "MBA" starts with a consonant, but as the first sound is /Ɛ/ or a
short “e” sound, "an" is used instead of "a"

The

Image: The
• "The" applies to the specificity of a singular or plural noun, both
countable and uncountable.
• The novel that I read last month was interesting. In this sentence, "novel"
is a singular and countable noun. It is also specific because of the phrase
“that I read last month.” The speaker and the listener know which book is
being discussed.
• The activities assigned for this class are engaging. In this sentence,
"activities" is a plural, countable noun. It is also specific because of the
phrase “for this class.” The speaker and listener know which activities are
being referred to.

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Class I English Grammar Articles (a, an, the)

• The advice Sheela gave me was eye-opening. In this sentence, "advice" is

an uncountable noun as it is abstract. It is specific, because of the
expression “Sheela gave me.”

Difficult words with Meanings

Word Meaning

Definite Specific

Indefinite Unspecified

Accompanied Followed

Summary
Special modifiers called articles are used before nouns or noun phrases. They
aid in defining the meaning of the noun in your phrase, much like other
adjectives. The a and its form an, used before a word that starts with a vowel
sound, are the only two articles in the English language for unidentified nouns
and ‘the’ is the definite article for the specific nouns. We learned definite and
indefinite articles.

Practice Questions
Fill in the following blanks with the suitable article:
1. I do not want ___ rat in my house.
2. She posted ___ postcard from Rome.
3. I have ___ dog.
4. She needs ___ pen.
5. Geeta needs ___ table in her apartment.
6. She applied to ___ university of her dreams.

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Class I English Grammar Articles (a, an, the)

Answers:
1. I do not want a rat in my house.
2. She posted a postcard from Rome.
3. I have a dog.
4. She needs a pen.
5. Geeta needs a table in her apartment.
6. She applied to the university of her dreams.

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