ARTICLES
The adjectives "a or an" and "The" are usually called "Articles" they are really "Demonstrative Adjectives". Articles are divided into two kinds namely
1.Definite Article 2. Indefinite Article
1.Definite Article: "The" is called definite article because it points out some particular person or thing; as
He saw the Doctor (Particular)
2.Indefinite Article: "A or An" is called the indefinite article because it leaves indefinite the person or thing spoken of ; as
A doctor, A lawyer, A teacher (any)
"A or An" is used before a singular countable noun. The choice between "a or an" determined by sound, before a word beginning with vowel sound [the sound of a, e, i, o, u] "an" is used.
Examples of An: An enemy, an inkstand, an orange, an honest man, an armchair, an American, an idiot, an apple
Examples of A:
A boy, a woman, a yard, a horse, a University, a young man, a one rupee coin, a unit etc.
Note: A and An are singulars "Some" is the plural. If we have to mention a little quantity, we say some sugar, some salt etc.., A or An is used.
Indefinite Article - A/An
The indefinite article is used
1. Before singular countable nouns
a) in the sense of one
A surgeon should be very careful during operation. An engineer supervises the construction of a building.
b) In the sense of the same.
Ramu and Srinu are of a size
c) In the sense of every.
Tomatoes cost Rs.20/- a kilo.
The Rajadhani express runs at a speed of 120km an hour.
2. When a thing/ person is introduced for the first time.
They killed a snake there.
There is a swimming pool in our town.
3. With quantity expression to refer to certain material objects like - - Cotton, rubber, paper, milk, food etc ( not a paper, a milk, a fish)
a piece of paper, a cup of tea, a packet of salt, a cup of milk, a bundle of grass, a piece of information.
4. Before a singular noun used as an example of a class
A rose is a beautiful flower
An elephant is a big animal
5. Before names of professions.
Surya is a doctor
She is a teacher
6. In certain numerical expressions/ quantities
Did you order a hundred chairs for college?
Shashikala faced a lot of trouble to reach her home in the rain.
7. Before Mr./Ms. When he/she is a stranger
A Mr.Srinivas came to meet father (Srinivas is unknown to the speaker)
Miss. Shanthi is waiting outside
8. Before plurals used as singulars.
an innings
9. Before abstract nouns in the sense of 'a kind of'. A knowledge of history is always useful.
1. Before Plural countable nouns:
donkeys, cobras, dogs, cats etc.
2. Before uncountable nouns:
Sand, clay, rice, milk, water etc.
3. Before material nouns:
silk, iron, wool, gold, glass etc.
4. Before names of meals (used in general sense):
breakfast, lunch etc.
THE
1.When we speak of a particular person or thing or one already referred to;
Eg: The book you want is out of print.
I dislike the fellow
Let us go to the college
2. When a singular Noun is meant to represent a whole class.
The cow is a useful animal
The horse is a noble animal
The dog is a faithful animal
3. Before names of rivers, Gulfs, Seas, group of Islands, Mountain ranges etc.
The Ganges, The Amazon, The Krishna, The persian, The Arabian ocean, The Himalayas
4. Before common Nouns followed by a proper Noun.
The river Godavari
The novel "war and peace"
5. Before a proper Noun only when it is qualified by an adjective
The great Shivaji
The Immortal Shakespeare
The Wise Solomon
The famous Napoleon
6. Before plural names
The Tagore's book
7. Before the names of Ships, trains, aeroplanes, rockets etc.
The golden arrow, The Vaijayanthi, The Krishna express
8. When the initials are used
The U.N.O.
The W.H.O.,
The I.A.S
9. Before temple, mosque, office, cinema or cinema theatre
10.As an adverb with comparatives
The more They get, The more They want
The more you speak, The less I understand
The bigger your job, The greater your responsibilities
The higher you go, The colder it gets
11. Before an adjectives to make it a noun in the plural
The rich must help the poor
The educated should teach the illeterate
12. Before a Government Office
The Head Post Office
The Treasury
The Accountant office
13. Before designations
The Secretary, The President, The Principal,
The P.M., etc
14. Before a historical age.
The stone age, The golden age etc
15. Before news papers and magazines
The Eenadu, The Hindu, The India Today etc
16.Before National festivals
The Independence day, The Republic Day,
The Teacher's day
17. Before a Board, A Corporation, commission.
The Intermediate board, The Electricity board. etc.
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