Definite and Indefinite Articles
In English there are three articles: a, an and the.
Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite articles (a, an) are used before a noun that is general or when its dentity is not known.
There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.
Following definitions summarize the basic use of articles and examples will help you to better understand the usage of these articles in english language.
Definite article
the (before a singular or plural noun)
Indefinite article
a (before a singular noun beginning with a consonant sound)
an (before a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound)
Count nouns - refers to items that can be counted and are either singular or plural
Non-count nouns - refers to items that are not counted and are always singular
For the purposes of understanding how articles are used, it is important to know that nouns can be either countable or uncountable. In addition, countable nouns are either singular (one) or plural (more than one). Uncountable nouns are always in singular form.
Rules to explain the use of definite and indefinite articles.
1) Specific identity not known:
We use the indefinite article "a" or "an" only with singular countable nouns whose specific identity is not know to us. We use "a" before nouns that begin with a consonant sound, and we use "an" before nouns that begin with a vowel sound.
- to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.
- I think an animal is in the garage.
- That man is a scoundrel.
- We are looking for an appartement.
- to indicate one in number
- I own a cat and two dogs.
2) Specific identity known:
We use the definite article "the" with any noun (whether singular or plural, countable or uncountable) when the specific identity of the noun is known to us.
- I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious.
- She read a book yesterday. The book was about cooking.
- "the" when an adjective, phrase or clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts its identity:
- The boy sitting next to me raised his hand.
- Thank you for the invitation.
- when noun refers to something or someone that is unique:
- the theory of relativity
- Thank you for the advice.
3) All things or things in general:
We do not use an article with plural count nouns or any uncountable nouns used to mean all or in general.
- Trees are beautiful in the fall. (all trees)
- He was asking for advise. (in general)
- I do not like coffee. (in general)
In addition:
We use "some" when indicating an unspecified or limited amount of a countable or uncountable noun.
- My cousin was seeking some advice from a counselor.
- I would love to drink some coffee right now.
- We might get rain tomorrow. Some rain would be good for the crops.
- There are some drops of water on the table.
Some of the certain nouns are cannot be counted.
- Food & drink items:
Bacon / beef / bread / broccoli / butter / cabbage / candy / cereal / cheese / chicken / chocolate / coffee / corn / cream / fish / flour / fruit / ice cream / lettuce / meat / milk / oil / pasta / rice / salt / sugar / tea / water / wine / yoghurt
- Non- food substances:
Air / cement / coal / dirt / gasoline / gold / paper / plastic / rain / silver / snow / soap / steel / wood / wool
- Abstract nouns:
advice / anger / beauty / confidence / courage / employment / fun / happiness / health / honesty / information / intelligence / knowledge / love / poverty / trutch / wealth
- Areas of study: History / math / biology etc.
- Sports: Soccer / football / baseball / hockey etc.
- Languges: Chinese / Spanish / Russian / English etc.
Geographical names are confusing because some require "the" and some do not:
- We use "the" with: united countries / large regions / deserts / peninsulas / oceans / seas / gulfs / canals / rivers / mountain ranges / groups of islands
- We do not use "the" with: streets / parks / cities / states / counties / most countries / continents / bays / single lakes / mountains / islands
Some examples:
We bought some cheese and ham. The cheese was delicious.
It's an interesting book.
There was a document on the table.
Experts say that coffee can be good for your health.
I don't have a car.
Can you pass me the water.
The president visited our school.
My father is a police officer.
Everybody knows that cats are very independent animals.
She picked me up at the airport.
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