Articles in English language a/an And the indicate the degree of certainty of the subject in a given context or in general. In Russian, they, as service words, are absent and are not translated from English, but sometimes they can “meet” in phrases like: “I know one girl. This girl is in our school. Or: “One boy was very fond of reading. This boy once found a very interesting book ... "
Therefore, on an intuitive level, we sometimes also use the words “one / one / one / alone” when we first mention an object, and “this / this / this / these” when it is used again in speech. Especially often this can be found in fairy tales: "Once upon a time there was an old man ..."
The use of articles in English
Correct use of articles in English often causes difficulty. There are, of course, rules for the use of certain articles - a/an, the, zero article , but since native speakers trust, first of all, their intuition and logic, then by putting ourselves in their place and trying to think like them, we could greatly facilitate the task.
What is this certainty/uncertainty?
I have bought a dog. - I bought a dog. In this context, you are talking about a dog for the first time, this means “some kind of dog, one of many”, it is not yet clear to the listener which particular dog we are talking about, so in this example we use the indefinite article -a.
The dog is very cute. - The dog is very cute. Now you are already talking about “a particular dog - the one that you bought. The listener already understands that we are talking about your dog, so there is already a definite article -the. In other words, as in the "bearded" joke about English for the "new Russians": the article -a - means "type", and -the - "specifically", that is, one of many or a specific example.
Table of articles in English
It will help to systematize all of the above. table of articles in English.
The
| The subject is mentioned in this context repeatedly: | I have an interesting idea. I have an interesting idea. Wow tell me about the ideas please! Wow, tell me about this idea please.) |
| The object or person is the only one in the given situation: | The actress is on the scene. The actress is on stage. (on a certain stage) |
| The noun is preceded by an ordinal number: | He is on the second floor. He's on the second floor. |
| A superlative adjective precedes a noun: | She is the most beautiful girl, I`ve ever seen. (she is the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen. |
| A noun denotes a substance in a certain amount or a certain place, in a given setting: | Pass me the salt, please. Pass me the salt, please. Where is the water? Where is the water? |
| Noun singular of its kind: > | the sun, the moon, the sky, the universe, the earth |
| With the name of the countries, including such words as republic, union, kingdom, states, emirates, as well as with the names of countries in the plural: | the German Federal Republic the United Arab Emirates the Philippines |
| Before the names of oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of islands, deserts: | the atlantic, the pacific ocean, the Nile, the Bahamas, the Alps |
| With the cardinal points | The south, the North |
| The noun denotes a whole class of objects: | The giraffe is the tallest animals. The giraffe is the tallest animal. |
| After the words one/some/many/most/both/all of | Some of the mistakes are very bad. Some of the mistakes are very gross. |
| Before family name in plural: | The Smiths have moved to another town. The Smiths moved to another city. |
A/An
| At the first mention of the subject: | A man is waiting for you. A man is waiting for you. (some) |
| If it's an indefinite amount: | I can bring a coffee to your friend. I can bring coffee to your friend. |
| With job titles: | He is an engineer. He is an engineer. |
| In the nominal part of the compound predicate: | She is a smart girl. |
| If an object belongs to the class of homogeneous objects: | There is a bee in the cup. There is a bee in the cup. (not an ant). |
| In stable combinations like: what a.. a little a few a lot of as a rule as a result for a while to be in a to have a to see a there is a |
What a lovely day! I'd like to say a few words. I have a little free time. I have a lot of friends. |
| Before words such, quite, rather, most (meaning "very"): | He is quite a young man. He is quite a young man. |
| If you can replace the article with the word "one". : | There is a flower in the garden. There is a flower in the garden. There is one flower in the garden. |
Zero article:
| Before nouns with definitions (pronouns, numerals, proper names in the possessive case.): | My mother works here. My mom works here. Tom's bag. Tom's bag. |
| When generalized in the plural. before countable nouns: | Apples are my favorite fruits. Apples are my favorite fruit. |
| Before nouns as a definition: | guitar lessons - guitar lessons |
| Before the names of countries, continents, cities, streets: | Germany, Poland, London, Hyde Park, High Street |
| Before abstract (uncountable) nouns: | This is important information. This is important information. |
| Before the names and surnames of people: | His name is Lee. |
| In adverbial combinations: | for breakfast, at lunch, to dinner, at night, by bus, on sale, in fact, from time to time, from school, to work, at work, from work… |
If you still have questions on the topic of articles in English, Double You Studio - an English language school in Kyiv (suburb, Vyshneve, Sofievskaya Borshchagovka, Boyarka, Petrivske) will help you figure it out.
Today we will talk about the rules for using articles in English. There is no such concept in Russian grammar, so this topic is considered one of the most difficult. But in our article we will try to clarify everything. Using understandable examples, we will show when the definite article the is put, and in what cases - the indefinite article a / an or the zero article.
General rules for the use of articles in English
Why do we need an article in English? Its main function is to indicate the definiteness or indefiniteness of a noun. Therefore, there are two articles in English - the indefinite article a / an (indefinite article) and the definite article the (definite article). There is also such a thing as zero article (zero article).
The choice of one of the articles is inextricably linked with:
- Indefinite article a/an is used with singular countable nouns.
- Definite article the can be used with countable nouns (regardless of their number) and with uncountable nouns.
- Zero article used with uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns.
I heard a story(a countable noun in the singular). - I've heard history.
It is good advice(uncountable noun). - This one good advice.
I liked the films(countable noun in plural). - I liked it films.
Students often make three typical mistakes when choosing an article:
- Use the indefinite article a/an with plural countable nouns:
I'd like to buy a books. - I would like to buy books.
- Use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns:
I love a modern furniture. - I love modern furniture.
- Use countable nouns in the singular without an article:
You should visit doctor a doctor. - You should go to doctor.
Give this toy to dog the dog. - Give me this toy. dog.
If a noun is used with an adjective, then we put the article before the adjective.
It is a hot day. - Today hot day.
It is the hottest day of this week. - This hottest day for this week.
We do not use the articles a, an, or the if the noun is already preceded by:
- (my - mine, his - his);
- (this - this, that - that);
- numeral (one - one, two - two).
This is my house. - This my house.
I have one sister. - I have one sister.
The main principle of choosing the article in English: we put the indefinite article a / an when we are not talking about a particular object, person or phenomenon, but about one of many. If we are talking about something or someone specific, we use the definite article the.
Articles are not translated into Russian, but if you try to translate the meaning, then the indefinite article means “one”, the definite one means “this”, “that”.
I need a pure. - I need handbag. (one bag)
I need the pure I took yesterday. - I need handbag which I took yesterday. (the same, specific handbag)
| A/An | The |
|---|---|
| I had an orange for lunch. - I ate for lunch. Orange. (some one orange) | The orange was delicious. - Orange was delicious. (the same orange that I ate for lunch) |
| My parents bought a car. - My parents bought car. (any one car, we don’t know which one) | The car is incredible. - A car amazing. (the same car that my parents bought) |
| Would you like to watch a film? - Would you like to have a look movie? (don't know which movie yet) | Sure, let's watch the film has been released this week. - Sure, let's see. movie which came out this week. (specific movie) |
Watch two video clips: the first is about any movie, and the second is about a specific one:
To make it easier for you to remember the general rules for using articles in English, we suggest that you keep our author's scheme for yourself.
The indefinite article a/an in English
The choice of the indefinite article a or the indefinite article an depends on the sound with which the word following the article begins.
Put the article a if the word starts with a consonant: a f ilm /ə fɪlm/ (film), a c ake /ə keɪk/ (pie), a p lace /ə pleɪs/ (place).
Put the article an if the word starts with a vowel: an a rm /ən ɑːm/ (hand), an e gg /ən eɡ/ (egg), an i nteresting /ən ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/ book (an interesting book).
note:
The words house (house) and hour (hour) begin with the letter h. In the word house /haʊs/ the first sound is a consonant, so we put the article a - a house before it, and in the word hour /ˈaʊə(r)/ the first sound is a vowel, which means we choose the article an - an hour.
The words university (university) and umbrella (umbrella) begin with the letter u. In the word university /juːnɪˈvɜː(r)səti/, the first sound is a consonant, which means we need the article a - a university, and in the word umbrella /ʌmˈbrelə/ the first sound is a vowel, which means we use the article an - an umbrella.
Apart from general rules there are special cases of using the indefinite article a / an:
- When we classify someone or something, that is, we indicate to which group, type, genus this someone or something belongs.
She's a nurse. - She works nurse.
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink. - "Coca-Cola" - non-alcoholic carbonated drink. - To indicate singularity when expressing measures of time, distance, weight, quantity, periodicity.
Lemonade costs $2 a liter. - Lemonade costs two dollars per ( one) liter.
I drive at 50 kilometers an hour. - I drive at a speed of 50 kilometers in ( one) hour.
I want a hundred roses. - Want hundred (one hundred) roses.
You will find more information on this topic in the article " The indefinite article in English".
The definite article the in English
In the general rules, we told the main cases of using the article the, now we will consider many special cases:
- The definite article the is used with one-of-a-kind, exceptional objects: the sun (the sun), the environment ( Environment), the internet (Internet).
The adjective will help to make objects unique: the tallest building (the tallest building), the best singer (the best singer), the most expensive car (the most expensive car).
And thanks to the words only (the only one), same (the same), first (the first) objects also become unique: the same exam (the same exam), the only person (the only person), the first time (the first time).
Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space. - Yuri Gagarin was first person in space.
- To describe or refer to a group of objects, a certain class as a whole, use the construction “the + countable noun in the singular”.
The Cheetah is the fastest animal in the world. - Cheetahs are the fastest animals in the world. (we are not talking about one cheetah, but about an animal species)
I play the piano. - I play piano.
I consider the telephone to be the most important invention. - I think that phone is the most important invention. - Also, when talking about a group of people, use the construction "the + adjective". Note that the verb in this case will be plural.
For example: the young (youth), the poor (poor), the homeless (homeless).
The young always argue with their parents. - Young people always arguing with his parents.
The same construction is used with adjectives that end in -ch, -sh, -ese, if all representatives of a nation are meant.
For example: the French (French), the English (English), the Chinese (Chinese).
The French are charming. - French people adorable.
The Vietnamese are very hard working. - Vietnamese very industrious. - When referring to all family members as a group of people, use the definite article the and the plural surname: the Joneses.
- Often the definite article the is used with names:
- buildings (hotels, cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries, restaurants, pubs) - the Plaza hotel (Plaza hotel), the Odeon (Odeon restaurant), the Kremlin (Kremlin), the Red Lion pub (Red a lion");
- newspapers (the article is part of the name and is capitalized) - The Times (The Times newspaper), The Guardian (The Guardian newspaper);
- sporting events - the FIFA World Cup (world football championship);
- historical periods and events - the Bronze Age (Bronze Age), the Vietnam War (Vietnam War);
- famous ships and trains - the Mayflower (ship "Mayflower");
- organizations, political parties, institutions - the Red Cross (Red Cross), the Democratic Party (Democratic Party);
- with those names that have the preposition of - the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa), the University of Cambridge (Cambridge University)
- The definite article the is also used with some geographical names:
- with countries that contain the words states (states), kingdom (kingdom), federation (federation), republic (republic), emirates (emirates) in the name - the United States of America (United States of America), the United Kingdom (UK) , the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic), the Russian Federation ( the Russian Federation);
- with the names of rivers, seas, canals, oceans, deserts, groups of islands, chains of mountains: the Amazon (Amazon), the Maldives (Maldives), the Black Sea (Black Sea), the Sahara (Sahara), the Panama Canal (Panama Canal) ).
- With the words theater (theater), cinema (cinema), radio (radio), when we talk about pastime.
I often go to the cinema with my friends. - I often go to cinema with friends.
Zero article in English
In English, there are nouns with which the article is not used, such an article is called zero.
The article is not used in the following cases:
- With uncountable nouns that denote food, substances, liquids, gases and abstract concepts.
I don't eat rice. - I do not eat rice.
- With plural countable nouns when we are talking about something in general.
Wolves are predators. - Wolves- predators. (all wolves)
- With names, surnames of people.
James like golf. - James loves golf.
- With titles, ranks and forms of address, followed by the name - Queen Victoria (Queen Victoria), Mr Smith (Mr. Smith).
- With the names of continents, countries, cities, streets, squares, bridges, parks, isolated mountains, individual islands, lakes.
He went to Australia. - He went to Australia.
- With the names of pubs, restaurants, shops, banks and hotels that have a last name or first name that ends in -s or - "s - McDonald" s, Harrods.
- With the names of sports, games, days of the week, months, meals, with the word TV (television).
Let's meet on Thursday and watch TV. - Let's meet at Thursday and see television.
I don't play football in February. - I don't play football in february. - With the words church (church), college (college), court (court), hospital (hospital), prison (prison), school (school), university (university), when we talk about them in general as public institutions. However, if we mean a building, we use the definite article the or the indefinite article a/an, depending on the context.
Noah is at school. - Noah in school. (He's a student)
His mother is at the school on a parents' meeting. - His mother in school on the parent meeting. (she came to a certain school building) - In some fixed expressions, for example:
- go to bed / be in bed;
- go to work / be at work / start work / finish work;
- go home / come home / arrive home / get home / be at home;
- go to sea / be at sea.
My husband is a night-watchman, so he goes to work when I go home. - My husband is a night watchman, so he he's going to work, when I I am going home.
Did you go to sea while I was in bed? - You went to sea, while I was in bed? - When describing a mode of transportation with the preposition by: by bus (by bus), by car (by car), by plane (by plane), by foot (on foot).
Finally, we offer to pass our test to consolidate the new material.
Test for the use of articles in English
If it seems to you that the meaning of speech will be clear even without the use of articles in English, you are right. You will be understood, but for native speakers it will sound about the same as for us the speech of foreigners without genders and cases: “I want water”, “My car is fast”. If you want to speak English fluently and fluently, we recommend that you save this article for yourself.
Please note that we have given the basic rules for using articles in English. In addition to them, there are many more nuances, exceptions and special cases that students with a level and above study.
, Chinese, Japanese, Tamil, Thai, do not have articles at all (if necessary, words such as “one” or “this” are used to indicate the indefiniteness or definiteness of a word). There are also languages like Welsh, Arabic, Icelandic, Hebrew, Armenian (as well as artificial languages like Esperanto or Ido) that only have a definite article but no indefinite. In some languages, such as Turkish, there is only an indefinite article, and its absence indicates the definiteness of the object.
In most languages, the definite article has developed from a demonstrative pronoun or an adjective. For example, from the demonstrative pronoun ille in Latin (which itself had no articles), the Romance languages that descended from it developed articles le(French), el(Spanish), il(Italian). The indefinite article occurs or even coincides with the numeral "one" (Germ. ein(e), French un(e), Spanish un(a) port. um(a)).
Grammatical functions of articles
- First the grammatical function of the article is "the grammatical designation of its accompanied", that is, a sign of the name. This is the single-valued article in Arabic. Due to this, in many languages, adding an article to non-nominal words and forms translates them into a noun. This is how conversion occurs when a given word goes into another category and falls into a different paradigm without changing its morphological composition. Yes, in German schreiben- "to write", and Das Schreiben- "letter" (that is, "scripture"); in french diner, souper- "lunch", "supper", and le diner, le souper- "lunch", "dinner".
- Second The grammatical function of the article is the distinction between the grammatical category of definiteness and indefiniteness when there are paired articles: the - a(an)- in English; der-ein, die-eine, das-ein- in German; le-un, la-une- in French, etc. A category accompanied by a definite article, as a rule, expresses grammatically what the interlocutors already know, or what the interlocutors have in front of their eyes during a conversation, or something that is specially highlighted individually.
- Third the grammatical function of the article is the distinction of gender in its pure form, that is, with the same word in the same form, which is rare, more often with the names of any peoples whose language does not know gender distinctions, for example, in German derHausa- "a man from the Hausa tribe" and die house- "a woman from the Hausa tribe."
Noun agreement
In many European languages, the article agrees with nouns in number, gender and case (if the above categories are present in the language). In some cases, it is the article that makes it possible to distinguish the gender, number or case of a given word.
So, in French, where plural nouns are often pronounced the same as in the singular, it is the article that serves to distinguish between numbers.
In some languages there are homonyms that differ only in the gender expressed with the help of the article, for example. German die Steuer(tax), das Steuer(steering wheel, steering wheel), sw. en plan(plan), ett plan(airplane).
Also in some languages, in particular in German, the article is used to distinguish the case of a noun, for example. Wirgehen in die Schule(we're going to school, vin. p.) Wir lernen in der Schule(we study at school, dt. p.)
Differences in use
The use of articles in different languages varies. For example, French uses the definite article where English does without an article, for example, with uncountable nouns.
In both ancient and modern Greek, the article is used with proper names: ὁ Ἰησοῦς (Jesus) and can also be used before a noun and each of its adjectives ( ὁ πατὴρ ὁ ἀγαθός good father). In Portuguese, proper nouns are also used with the article, except when it is official language and there is no title before the name. Similarly, the article before names can be used in spoken German, e.g. Ich habe mit der Claudia gesprochen(“I spoke with (this) Claudia”), the same forms are found in colloquial Italian and Catalan (cf. in Russian: “Yes, you are Petru- then tell").
Location of the article
In most languages, the article is placed before the noun that refers to it (the prepositive article). In Scandinavian languages, the article can be placed at the end of a word (postpositive article). Yes, in Swedish planen- plan, planet- aircraft, the case of a double definite article is also possible, when both a separate article and an article at the end of a word are used ( det stora huset, big house). Several Balkan languages also use the postpositive article, such as in Romanian consulul- consul, similarly in Macedonian and Bulgarian, for example. darvo, darvoto(wood).
Unlike the case forms of the Russian language, in Bulgarian and Macedonian, if there are adjectives or numerals for nouns, then the definite article is placed only at the end of the first word and the rest agree only in gender and number. Examples: in Bulgarian furnace(ball) → rear firebox that (behind the ball) firebox → kjm byala that furnace(to the white ball) golyama firebox → for golyam that firebox(about a big white ball); similar in Macedonian prvi movie → on prvi from film(of the first film). The indefinite article in these languages is the words one / one / one(one / one / one), which are placed before a group of words: one wife(a certain woman), although a noun without an article is also indefinite. If necessary, to emphasize indefiniteness, indefinite pronouns are used. some(someone), nakakv(some) nobody's(someone's) who yes e(anyone).
Pronominal adjectives
In some languages derived from the hypothetical Balto-Slavic, e.g. Lithuanian, Old Slavonic, there is such a phenomenon as pronominal adjectives (definite, member adjectives). Such adjectives are formed by adding personal pronouns of the 3rd person to ordinary, simple adjectives, which make up a single word with these adjectives; at the same time, during declension, both parts are usually inclined, both the adjective itself and the pronoun. Such adjectives are used to distinguish an object from the environment of their own kind, to emphasize the certainty of this object, thus, their use is approximately the same as the use of a definite article. Wed Lithuanian:
- geras mokytojas- a good teacher, gerasis (geras+jis) mokytojas- the good teacher;
- auksta mokykla(high school, i.e. school building), aukštoji (aukšta+ji) mokykla(higher school, i.e. university).
According to a similar principle, pronominal adjectives are formed in the Old and Church Slavonic languages:
- high house - high(high+u) house
- deep river - deep(deep + me) river
(In these examples, "and" and "I" are old Slavic pronouns corresponding to the current "he", "she".)
The use of adjectives was similar. In particular, when translating into Slavonic from the Greek Bible and liturgical books, Greek turns, where the adjective is used with a member (i.e., the article), were usually transmitted by pronominal adjectives. However, already in Church Slavonic this ratio is not always maintained. In the modern Russian language, although these forms have been preserved (short and full adjectives), they have largely lost the meaning of certainty-uncertainty and differ more in terms of style.
In addition to pronominal adjectives, there are also, although less frequently, pronominal pronouns. Eg. in Lithuanian: jų(them), jųjų(also "them", but with the meaning of certainty). In Russian, this corresponds to such words as "theirs", "theirs", although they are considered colloquial.
Definite articles in Russian dialects
There have never been articles in the literary Russian language (except for the pronominal forms of adjectives mentioned above). In some dialects and colloquial use, however, such elements do occur. As a typical example, we can cite a fragment of one of the letters of Archpriest Avvakum:
“... And then, as you prayed in truth, close your eyes, but let your mind go through the air and firmament and ether to Hope and His throne, and he himself hit the ground, but lie down and don’t get up, crying: already -zho mind-from Christ-that will be dragged from heaven, how much you offend the heart.
It is easy to see that the particle agreed in gender and case with the noun "-then" acts here precisely in the role of a definite postpositive article, completely analogous to the article in the Bulgarian language. However, the use of such an article did not go beyond colloquial speech and was optional; the same Avvakum in his texts uses it only sporadically. The particle “-to” in modern Russian is a trace of this article, which has ceased to change by gender, case and number.
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There are two articles in English: the definite the and the indefinite a. You can also highlight another type of article: the so-called "zero" (Zero Article), i.e. the absence of an article. The article is a function word, a sign of a noun. By itself, it has no meaning, and it is never stressed.
The Indefinite Article a (an)
Derived from the numeral one.
Used only with countable singular nouns.
An object is called in a general sense, not some specific one (one of, some, some): a house is a house, a book is a book, a tree is a tree, a dog is a dog, a man is a man, a man, a ship - a ship, a vessel, a bag - a bag, a package, a pencil - a pencil, a bird - a bird, a lake - a lake.
Note: if the word (this can also be an adjective, not necessarily a noun) following the indefinite article begins with a vowel, then it is added to the article: an apple - apple, an airport - airport, an octopus - octopus, an orange - orange, an onion - onion, an ice-cream - ice cream, an interesting book - an interesting book, an easy test - an easy test, etc.
The use of the indefinite article
The indefinite article is used in the following cases:
1. The subject is distinguished as a representative of the class: It's a tree. - This is a tree, (not a train - not a train, not a baby - not a child)
2. Names of professions, occupations (in singular):
a doctor is a doctor, an engineer is an engineer, a policeman is a policeman, a driver is a driver, a seaman is a sailor, an accountant is an accountant, a student is a student, a painter is an artist, a builder is a builder.
3. This refers to any, any representative of a given class of objects or persons:
A child can do it. - A child can do it. (any, any child);
A square has four sides. - A square (any) has 4 sides.
4. We report about an object or person for the first time (some, one, some):
I saw a boy near their house. - I saw some boy near their house;
A man called you while you were absent - While you were away, some man called.
5. In some cases, the article has the meaning "one" a (n) \u003d 1
I'll be back t an hour. - I'll be back in an hour.
Didn't say a word. He didn't say a word (not a single word).
6. In emotional terms: What the…! Which…! What(a)..
Uncountable nouns or plural are not used with the indefinite article.
What a beautiful ring! - What a beautiful ring!
What a day! - Well, a day! (admiration and indignation)
What a pretty little boy! - What a lovely baby!
But: What fine weather! (unexplained noun) - What a beautiful weather!
What luck! - What a luck!
What bad luck! - What bad luck! (unexplained noun)
But: What a pity! - What a pity! What a shame!
What cold water! (unexplained noun) - What cold water!
What beautiful clouds! (plural) - What beautiful clouds!
such a ... - such quite a ... - quite (singular)
She's such a smart woman! She is such a smart woman!
She's quite a young girl - She is very young!
Ho: These are such interesting films! (plural) - These are such interesting films!
Have you ever seen such weather?! (infinite n.) Have you ever seen such weather?!
The Definite Article the
Derived from the demonstrative pronoun that.
Used with singular countable nouns. n pl. and with uncountable nouns.
Indicates a specific object / person, highlighting it from all objects or persons of this class.
The definite article is used in the following cases:
1. The subject/person the object is known to the interlocutor, mentioned earlier: When I entered the room I saw a man standing at the window. The man was very tall. - When I entered the room, I saw a man standing at the window. The man was very tall.
2. A specific indication, clear from the context.
Please close the window. - Close the window, please (meaning exactly the window that is currently open. Or there is only one window in the room, there are no other windows there).
Where is the key? - Where is the key?
The interlocutors know which key is being discussed.
Give me the suitcase, please. - Give me the suitcase, please. If “your, yours” is meant, then instead of the definite article, it is better to use the appropriate possessive pronoun: Don’t put the keys into your pocket. Don't put your keys in (your) pocket.
3. An object / person, unique in its kind or in a given setting, situation:
the sun,
the Moon - the moon,
the Earth - Earth,
the sky - the sky,
the Hermitage - Hermitage,
the Kremlin - the Kremlin,
the South Pole - South Pole,
the beginning - the beginning,
the end - the end,
the top - top, upper part,
the bottom - lower part, bottom, bottom,
the President of Russia - President of Russia,
the King of France - the king of France.
Ho: President Bush (the word President in combination with the name, surname),
Queen Elizabeth - Queen Elizabeth
4. Nations, belonging to a country (in a collective sense): the Americans - Americans, the Japanese - Japanese, the Russians - Russians, the French - French, the Greeks - Greeks, the Swedes - Swedes, the Poles - Poles, the Dutch - Dutch, the Danes - Danes.
5. We are talking about all objects or persons of this class:
Give those a list of the students (all the students). - Give me a list of students (all).
6. With general meaning: whole class, breed (singular): The poplar doesn't grow here. - Poplar does not grow here.
7. Before adjectives and participles that have become plural nouns: The poor in this town live in awful conditions. - The poor in this city live in terrible conditions;
The wounded were taken to the hospital at once. - The wounded were immediately taken to the hospital.
8. After the pronouns all and both (if there is no possessive or demonstrative pronoun): all the students - all students, both the letters - both letters.
9. The names of the cardinal points are always used with the definite article: (where?)
in the north - in the north,
in the south - in the south,
in the west - in the west,
in the east - in the east,
in the Far East - in the Far East,
in the southeast - in the southeast;
(where?) to the north - to the north; to the south - to the south.
10. If the noun has a definition (clarification):
Here's the man who called you yesterday. - This is the person who called you yesterday.
11. With words (definitions):
same - the same
next, following - next,
last - last, past,
very - the one
only - the only one:
the same story - the same story (story),
the following week - the next week,
the next day (year, month) - next day, year, month.
But: Next Sunday we are going to the theatre. - Next Sunday we are going to the theater (when?).
the following task - the next task,
in the last carriage - in the last carriage,
on the last page - on the last page.
This exercise is on the last page. - This exercise is on the last page.
But: Not graduated from the University last year. - He graduated from university last year, (when?)
You are the very person I need. - You are the very person that I need;
Was not the only child in the family. - He was the only child in the family.
!! The words last and next, as well as the word this to indicate the time (when?) used without article(and without a preposition, not like in Russian):
last week - last week
next week - next week,
last Sunday - last Sunday,
next Friday - next Friday,
last year - last year,
next year - next year,
last month - last month,
next month - next month,
last time - last time,
next summer - next summer,
this Tuesday - this Tuesday,
this week - this week,
this year - this year,
this time - this time.
12. The definite article is used before adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison or ordinal numbers: Not is the best student in our group. - He is the best student in our group;
The highest mountains are in Asia. - The highest mountains are located in Asia;
Their office is on the second floor. - Their office is on the second floor.
Zero article (no article) Zero Article
Consider cases where the article is missing.
1. If the noun is preceded by a possessive or demonstrative pronoun, another noun in the possessive case, a cardinal number, or the negation of no (not to be confused with the negative particle not!), or pronouns some, any, every:
We didn't like that car. We didn't like that car;
Do you happen to know her brother's friend? "You don't happen to know her brother's friend, do you?"
I'd like to buy one bottle of wine and two or three lemons. - I would like to buy a bottle of wine and 2-3 lemons;
Didn't have money to give them a call - He didn't have money to call them;
I don't care what some people say. - I don't care what some people say.
2. Before appeals: What are you drawing, children? - What are you drawing, children?
Morning, Captain. - Good morning, captain.
3. Without the article, real nouns are used when talking about a substance or material in a general sense: Water is necessary for people. - People need water; Milk is very useful for children. - Milk is very useful for children.
4. Abstract nouns in the general sense, as well as the names of sciences, subjects studied (if they do not have definitions):
Compare: I like music. - I like music. (Not any specific one, but in general.)
I like the music. - I like the music (that is playing at the moment or that we are talking about).
5. Position, rank as a title and in combination with the name / surname: Professor Petrov-Professor Petrov, Dr. Brown - Dr. Brown, Colonel Jones - Colonel Jones, Captain Smith - Captain Smith.
But if the position or rank is used as a subject or object, then the definite article is used: The dean of our faculty. -Dean of our faculty (subject).
6. Any, any representative of the class (pl.): Boys like to play football. - The boys love to play football; Lions as well as tigers are dangerous animals. - Lions, like tigers, are dangerous animals.
7. The article is absent in a number of combinations, which include:
at night
at dinner (breakfast, supper) at lunch (breakfast, dinner)
at home
at school
at work
at sunset
at first sight
at peace in the world
at table at the table (i.e. at lunch, breakfast, dinner)
at war
by tram (train, boat, bus, etc.)
by air
by water
by sea
by land
by day
by post (air mail)
by heart by heart
by chance
by mistake
by name
in time
in debt
in demand
in sight
in fact
in conclusion
on board a ship
on deck
on demand
on credit
on sale
day after day
day and night
to be in town
to be in bed
to go to bed
to go to school
to go to town
from morning to (till) night
from day to day
from shop to shop
from time to time
from head to foot
The article is also not used in many combinations before a noun, which is an addition to the verb and expresses a single concept with it:
to have dinner (breakfast, lunch, supper)
to take part to participate;
to take place;
to take care;
to shake hands;
to drop (cast) anchor
to lose sight;
to declare war
to pass judgment, etc.
Use of the article with proper names
1. Names, surnames, separately and in combination with the position, rank are used without the article: John Smith, Paul Brown, Professor Petrov, Colonel Perry, Dr. Davidson, Earl Gray (Earl Gray), Mr. White, Mrs. Adams, Ms. Marple, etc.
2. Plural surnames are used with the definite article. in a collective sense, i.e. when the family is meant as a whole: the Petrovs, the Orlovs, the Belovs, the Brown family, the Adams family: the Petrovs, the Orlovs, the Belovs, the Browns, the Adams.
3. Family members - without the article: father, mother, grandpa, sister, Uncle Paul, Aunt Emily.
4. The names of hotels are used with a definite article, if the word Hotel is not present: the “Metropol”, the “Savoy”,
Ho: Nadezhda Hotel
5. With deserts and plains, on the contrary: if after the name there is the word Desert - desert, then the definite article is put before the name: the Sahara Desert.
But: Sahara.
6. Without the article, the names of streets, squares, parks are used:
They are not far from Red Square. - They are not far from the Red Square.
We live on (in) Green Street. - We live on Green Street.
Broadway is the most famous and the longest street in New York. - Broadway - the most famous and long street in New York.
They agreed to meet near Hyde Park. They agreed to meet near Hyde Park.
Exceptions: the Bowery - Bowery street (in New York), the Srand - Strand street (in London).
7. The names of English and American newspapers and magazines are used with the definite article: "The Daily Telegraph", "The Daily Mirror", "The Times".
8. The names of ships are also used with the definite article: The "Northern Star", The "Titanic".
9. City names are used without the article: the city of Moscow - Moscow / or the city of Moscow.
An exception: the Hague - the city of The Hague (in Holland).
10. Country names are mostly used without the article: Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Russia, Great Britain.
But with a definite article, the names of the following countries are used: the Netherlands - the Netherlands (But: Holland - Holland), the Ukraine - Ukraine, the Congo - Congo, the Sudan - Sudan, and regions such as Crimea. - the Crimea, the Caucasus - the Caucasus and Transvaal - the Transvaal (province in South Africa).
As well as countries whose names contain the words united, united, union, commonwealth, federation:
The United States of America = the USA = the US - United States of America;
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - the UK - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
The Russian Federation - Russian Federation (But: Russia - Russia).
11. Mountains. The names of individual mountain peaks "do not like" the article and never stand next to it: Everest, Mt. Mont Blanc - Mount Mont Blanc, Mt Mc.Kinley, Elbrus.
Note: Mt=mount from the word mountain - mountain.
And the names of mountain ranges, mountain ranges are used with a definite article: the Alps - Alps, Alpine mountains, the Urals, the Caucasus.
12. The same with the islands. The names of individual islands are used without the article: Cuba - the island of Cuba, Java - the island of Java, Cyprus - the island of Cyprus, and the names of the archipelagos - with a definite article: the British Isles - the British Isles (the UK is located on these islands), the Philippines - Philippine Islands, Philippines.
13. The names of the continents are used without the article: Europe - Europe, Asia - Asia, Africa - Africa, Australia - Australia, North America - North America, South America - South America, Arctic (Arctic Region)-Arctic.
Exception: the Antarctic - Antarctica.
14. All "geographical water" (oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, canals, bays, straits, waterfalls, depressions, currents) is used with the definite article:
the Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls,
the Bering Strait - Bering Strait,
the Persian Gulf,
the Baltic (Sea) - Baltic Sea,
the Pacific (Ocean) - the Pacific Ocean,
the Black Sea - Black Sea,
the Atlantic (Ocean) - Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic,
the Arctic (Ocean) - Arctic Ocean,
the Volga - the Volga river,
the Thames - river Thames,
the Hudson - Hudson,
the Baikal - Lake Baikal.
Before the name of rivers and lakes there can be either a definite article, or the word river or lake, but not all together: The Neva, the Neva River, River Neva;
The Baikal, the Baikal Lake, Lake Baikal
In many foreign languages there is such a thing as an article. To start learning grammar from this topic will be a good option for those who want to know English. The article (the rule of use will help to understand the question) is a service part of speech in English. It shows certainty or indefiniteness. Further in the text, the rules for its use are given when the article a (an), the is omitted.
Types of articles
There are two types of articles in English:
- definite - the;
- indefinite - a (an) (two forms).
The definite article shows that we are talking about some well-known or familiar subject that is more individualized, somehow stands out from others. And the indefinite one indicates a more generalized meaning or an object that appears in the text for the first time. Examples:
The girl has a dog./The girl has a dog.
From this sentence, it can be understood that we are talking about a particular girl who is already familiar to the reader and she was previously mentioned in the text, but the word “dog” is more generalized, which dog is unknown.
Origin
We have already found out that in English there is such a part of speech as the article: a (an), the. They originally came from other words and to some extent retained their old meaning.
For example, the definite article is an abbreviated form of the word that (that, that), which is why it carries such a specific meaning.
It comes from the word one (someone, some).
Definite article
In English, the definite article has two functions: the first of them is concretizing, and the other is generalizing. And this part of speech is used if a person knows exactly what subject is being discussed, or if this subject is unique.
The definite article in a concretizing meaning
- It is used if one object stands out from the whole set, it has some excellent parameters, it is distinguished by a unique case, context. Before adjectives in
He is the best player in our team./He is the best player in our team.
- Placed before the words following, last, next, only and very. They make the noun more specific.
And not the next day. / And not the next day.
- Superlative adjectives are also preceded by the definite article.
It is the worst day in my life. / This is the worst day in my life.
The definite article in a general sense
- In generalizing - when a noun can be attributed to a whole kind of objects.
Examples include the German Shepherd - the double coat is straight, and short length./ German Shepherd. The coat has two characteristics: straight and short in length.
Here we are talking about all dogs belonging to a particular breed.
- Omitted if replaced by a possessive pronoun.
She sure had some love for her German Shepards.
- If you can put the word "this" before the noun.
The hotel also features easy access to the several subway stations./The hotel is also easily accessible from several subway stations.
- When specifying the era, significant events.
The First World War./The First World War.
- Before uncountable nouns, only if we are talking about a certain amount of substance.
And then the farmer has to find another way to deliver the juice.
- Before the names of body parts.
The hand
- Before social classes and strata of society.
The police./Police officers.
The definite article with proper nouns and some titles
It will help to better understand how to use articles with proper names and some names, the table below. All of the following words must be preceded by the definite article the.
proper names | Examples |
| Rivers | the Nakdong |
| Names of newspapers | the Washington Post |
| place names | the North Field |
| Objects from astronomy | the Moon |
| Mountain names | the Andes |
| cardinal directions | in the East |
Surnames in the plural (meaning all family members) | the Adamsons |
| Channels | the Nicaragua Canal |
| City districts | the West End |
| Nationalities | the Italian |
| Unique architectural structures | the Winter Palace |
| desert | the Bolivian |
| Names of reservoirs | the Black Sea |
| Ship names | the Aurora |
| Some countries | the Argentina |
| Nicknames | the Tall Ben |
Definite article. Plural
- If the definite article is used before a word in the singular, then it is placed before it in the plural.
You can bring the ball with, if you want.
You can bring the balls with, if you want./If you want, take the balls with you.
- Also, the article remains before the plural when it comes to a group as a whole.
The members of Golf club can breathe fresh air. fresh air. (Everyone can breathe fresh air).
Indefinite article a (an)
"a" is used if the first letter in the word is a consonant, "an" if it is a vowel:
- a table, a carpet, a dog / table, carpet, dog;
- an elephant, an eagle, an orange / elephant, eagle, orange.
Exceptions to the rule:
- the article "a" is always placed before words that begin with the letter "u" if it is pronounced /ju:/ (English is a universal language);
- before the words "one", "ones" the article "a" (a one-parent family) is always used;
- if abbreviations start with a consonant but read with a vowel (F is pronounced like /ef/), they are always preceded by the indefinite article "an" (an FBI agent).
Classifying, generalizing and numeral meaning of the indefinite article
- In expressive sentences, exclamatory sentences, which begin with the word what, the indefinite article is used.
What a great!
- With singular nouns preceded by words such as rather, quite, such, and most.
In a rather prescient way./Very far-sighted.
- If a noun is a generic value for the entire class, species, layer, etc., then it is preceded by an indefinite article. Most often, such a noun is at the beginning of a sentence and does not carry any important information. More significant details are described later in the text.
A newspaper text is a very laconic and relevant essay.
- In the numeral value, the article denotes its original meaning - one.
I can stay in Paris for only a day./I could stay in Paris for only a day. (Here it is clear that the particle -a can be replaced by one, the word from which the article a (an) was formed (the - from that). In this sentence, the particle takes its usual place).
Indefinite article a (an). Plural
Articles that are used before singular nouns are not used in the plural.
She had a book of astrology./She had a book on astrology.
She had two books./She had two books. (As you can see, the article is omitted).
Proper nouns and the article a (an)
The article a (an) is used before if they:
- unknown
A Mr. Anderson has come to see you./A certain Mr. Anderson has come to see you.
- used as a noun
You think, I am a Leonardoda Vinci?
- point to individual family members
It is no wonder; in fact, she is a Smith./No wonder, because she is a Smith.
- describe the position of a place or object
We saw a rebuild Rome. / We saw a rebuilt Rome.
In addition, there are stable expressions that, regardless of the context, never change and always remain in their place. These phrases just need to be learned:
a few / a few, it is a pity / sorry, a little / a little, etc.
When the article is not needed
In English there is such a thing as when it is absent in sentences before nouns. Above in the article, cases were already mentioned when the article is omitted. Let's look at a few more typical rules.
- If nouns are preceded by adjectives old / old, little / small, poor / poor, lazy / lazy, honest / honest.
She is little girl./She is a little girl.
- If there is no definition for a noun.
I do not like Peter. / I do not like Peter.
- Before titles, titles.
Lord Green./Lord Green.
Article exercises
To consolidate the acquired knowledge, you need to do a few exercises. Then check your answers with the keys, analyze the errors. For example, you can do the task below.
Insert the missing article a (an), the:
Paris is … beautiful town./Paris is a beautiful city.
What "s going on? I think it's ... salute. / What's going on? I think it's a salute.
Britney Spears is … singer./Britney Spears is a singer.
This is Nick. He is … engineer./This is Nick. He is an engineer.
… spider has eight legs./Spiders have eight legs.
It is … tomato./This is a tomato.
I am ... nurse. / I am a nurse.
She is … best./She is the best.
To take … seat./Sit down.
In ... country. / In the country.
Answers to the exercise. How to correctly insert the article a (an), the:
1. a. 2. a. 3. a. 4. an. 5. a. 6.a. 7. a. 8. the. 9 a. 10. the.
