8.1 What Are Articles?

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. In English, there are three articles:

• Definite Article: “the” (specific)
• Indefinite Articles: “a” and “an” (unspecific)

✅ Example:

• The sun is bright today. (specific sun, only one in the sky)
• I saw a dog in the park. (not a specific dog, just any dog)

8.2 Types of Articles

1. Definite Article – “The”

“The” is used when referring to something specific or already known to the listener/reader.

When to Use “The”:

✅ 1. When talking about something already mentioned:

• I saw a cat. The cat was sleeping.

✅ 2. When there is only one of something:

• The moon looks beautiful tonight.
• He is the president of the company.

✅ 3. Before superlatives and ordinal numbers:

• This is the best pizza in town.
• She lives on the second floor.

✅ 4. Before names of oceans, rivers, mountain ranges, and unique locations:

• The Pacific Ocean
• The Nile River
• The Himalayas

✅ 5. Before the names of musical instruments and groups of people:

• She plays the piano.
• The French love good food.

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2. Indefinite Articles – “A” and “An”

“A” and “An” are used for non-specific, general nouns.

When to Use “A” vs. “An”:

• Use “A” before words starting with a consonant sound.
  • She has a book.
  • He is a doctor.
• Use “An” before words starting with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
  • I saw an elephant.
  • She is an engineer.

🚨 Important: It depends on sound, not just spelling!
✅ An hour (silent ‘h’, sounds like “our”)
✅ A university (pronounced “yoo-niversity”)

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8.3 Omitting Articles (Zero Article)

Sometimes, articles are not used at all.

When NOT to Use Articles:

🚫 1. Before proper nouns (names of people, countries, cities, etc.):

• I visited Paris last summer. (❌ Not “the Paris”)

🚫 2. Before plural general nouns:

• Dogs are loyal animals. (❌ Not “The dogs” unless referring to specific dogs)

🚫 3. Before abstract nouns (things you can’t touch):

• Love is important in life.
• Happiness cannot be bought.

🚫 4. Before meals, languages, or sports:

• I had breakfast at 8 AM. (❌ Not “the breakfast”)
• He speaks Spanish fluently.
• They play football every weekend.

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8.4 Common Mistakes with Articles

❌ Incorrect: I saw an university.
✅ Correct: I saw a university.

❌ Incorrect: She is the engineer. (if talking generally)
✅ Correct: She is an engineer.

❌ Incorrect: I love the music. (general statement)
✅ Correct: I love music.

Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks with “a” or “an”:

1. He is ___ artist.
2. She found ___ interesting book.
3. We saw ___ owl in the tree.
4. I need ___ umbrella.
5. They bought ___ new car.

B. Fill in the blanks with “the” if needed. If no article is needed, write (–):

1. We went to ___ beach yesterday.
2. She speaks ___ English fluently.
3. I climbed ___ Everest last year.
4. He is ___ best player in the team.
5. I had ___ lunch at 1 PM.

C. Correct the mistakes in these sentences:

1. I saw an European tourist.
2. She bought the apple from the market. (general apple)
3. He is the doctor. (talking generally)
4. We went to the school to study. (not referring to a specific school)
5. I had an honest mistake.

Answers

A. “A” or “An”

1. an
2. an
3. an
4. an
5. a

B. “The” or (–)

1. the
2. –
3. –
4. the
5. –

C. Corrected Sentences

1. I saw a European tourist.
2. She bought an apple from the market.
3. He is a doctor.
4. We went to school to study.
5. I had an honest mistake.