English language: Using articles

Easy ways to remember the uses of articles a,an,the.


This time I write this about articles using. Please do not laugh, though it is so easiest part of English Grammar but its create so many confusions. Many of us like non-native English speakers think this system is so intricate  and often characteristics , basically it is difficult for us. This handout explains three basic rules which are the foundation of the articles systems and two basic questions that will help you to choose the correct article in your writing.

Three basic rules of Articles : 

1. All of them everywhere.
2. One of many.
3. Exactly this one. 

This is a simple list, but understanding it and remembering it is crucial to using articles correctly.
Rule # 1: All time a noun is mentioned, the writer is referring to:

1. All of them everywhere,
2. One of many, or
3. This one exactly

Rule # 2: All kind of reference has a choice of articles:

1. All of them everywhere…(Ø, a/an, the)
2. One of many……………..(Ø, a/an)
3. This one exactly…………(Ø, the)

(Ø = no article)

  Rule # 3:  The choice of article depends upon the noun and the background, Basic questions help us to select articles. In that case we have to know about noun. This will be clarified  more fully below.

Basic questions

To find out the best article, ask own self these questions:

1. “What do I mean? Do I mean all of them everywhere, one of many, or this one exactly?”
2. “What kind of noun is it? Is it countable or not? Is it singular or plural? Does it have any special rules?”

Your answers to these questions will generally settle on the correct article choice, and the following sections will show you how.

When you mean “all of them everywhere”

Talking about “all of them everywhere” is also called “generic reference.” We use it to make generalizations: to say something true of all the nouns in a particular group, like an entire species of animal.
When you mean “all of them everywhere,” you have three article choices: Ø, a/an, the. The choice of article depends on the noun. Ask yourself, “What kind of noun is it?”

1. Non-count nouns = no article (Ø)
a. Length  is measured in kilometer.
b. Money makes the world go around.
 
2. Plural nouns = no article (Ø)
a. Volcanoes are formed by pressure under the earth’s surface.
b. Tom and Mike have eaten their meal. 
 
3. Singular nouns = the
a. The computer is a wonderful invention.
b. The elephant lives in family groups.

Note: We use this form (the + singular) most often in technical and scientific writing to generalize about classes of animals, body organs, plants, musical instruments, and complex inventions. We do not use this form for simple inanimate objects, like books or coat racks. For these objects, use (Ø + plural).

Singular nouns = a/an (when a single example represents the entire group)

a. A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

b. A doctor is a highly educated person. Generally speaking, a doctor also has tremendous earning potential.

How do you know it’s generic? The “all…everywhere” test

Here’s a simple test you can use to identify generic references while you’re reading. To use this test, substitute “all [plural noun] everywhere” for the noun phrase. If the statement is still true, it’s probably a generic reference.

Example:

• A whale protects its young—”All whales everywhere” protect their young. (true—generic reference)

• A whale is grounded on the beach—”All whales everywhere” are grounded on the beach. (not true, so this is not a generic reference; this “a” refers to “one of many”)

You’ll probably find generic references most often in the introduction and conclusion sections and at the beginning of a paragraph that introduces a new topic.

When you mean “one of many”

Talking about “one of many” is also called “indefinite reference.” We use it when the noun’s exact identity is unknown to one of the participants: the reader, the writer, or both. Sometimes it’s not possible for the reader or the writer to identify the noun exactly; sometimes it’s not important. In either case, the noun is just “one of many.” It’s “indefinite.”
When you mean “one of many,” you have two article choices: Ø, a/an. The choice of article depends on the noun. Ask yourself, “What kind of noun is it?”

1. Non-count nouns = no article (Ø)
a. Our science class mixed boric acid with water today.
b. We serve bread and water on weekends.
2. Plural nouns = no article (Ø)
a. We’re happy when people bring cookies!
b. We need volunteers to help with community events.
3. Singular nouns = a/an
a. Bring an umbrella if it looks like rain.
b. You’ll need a visa to stay for more than ninety days.

Note: We use many different expressions for an indefinite quantity of plural or non-count nouns. Words like “some,” “several,” and “many” use no article (e.g., We need some volunteers to help this afternoon. We really need several people at 3:00.) One exception: “a few” + plural noun (We need a few people at 3:00.)
In certain situations, we always use “a” or “an.” These situations include:

1. Referring to something that is one of a number of possible things.
Example: My lab is planning to purchase a new microscope. (Have you chosen one yet? No, we’re still looking at a number of different models.)
2. Referring to one specific part of a larger quantity.
Example: Can I have a bowl of cereal and a slice of toast? (Don’t you want the whole box of cereal and the whole loaf of bread? No, thanks. Just a bowl and a slice will be fine.)
3. With certain indefinite quantifiers.
Example: We met a lot of interesting people last night. (You can also say “a bunch of” or “a ton of” when you want to be vague about the exact quantity. Note that these expressions are all phrases: a + quantifier + of.)
Exception: “A few of” does not fit this category. See Number 8 in the next section for the correct usage of this expression.
4. Specifying information associated with each item of a grouping.
Example: My attorney asked for $200 an hour, but I’ll offer him $200 a week instead. (In this case, “a” can substitute for the word “per.”)
5. Introducing a noun to the reader for the first time (also called “first mention”). Use “the” for each subsequent reference to that noun if you mean “this one exactly.”
Example: I presented a paper last month, and my advisor wants me to turn the paper into an article. If I can get the article written this semester, I can take a break after that! I really need a break!

Note: The writer does not change from “a break” to “the break” with the second mention because she is not referring to one break in particular (“this break exactly”). It’s indefinite—any break will be fine!!

When you mean “this one exactly”

Talking about “this one exactly” is also called “definite reference.” We use it when both the reader and the writer can identify the exact noun that is being referred to.
When you mean “this one exactly,” you have two article choices: Ø, the. The choice of article depends on the noun and on the context. Ask yourself, “What kind of noun is it?”

1. (Most) Proper nouns = no article (Ø)
a. My research will be conducted in Luxembourg.
b. Dr. Homer inspired my interest in Ontario.
Note: Some proper nouns do require “the.” See the special notes on nouns below.
2. Non-count nouns = the
a. Step two: mix the water with the boric acid.
b. The laughter of my children is contagious.
3. Plural nouns = the
a. We recruited the nurses from General Hospital.
b. The projects described in your proposal will be fully funded.
4. Singular nouns = the
a. Bring the umbrella in my closet if it looks like rain.
b. Did you get the visa you applied for?

In certain situations, we always use “the” because the noun or the context makes it clear that we’re talking about “this one exactly.” The context might include the words surrounding the noun or the context of knowledge that people share. Examples of these situations include:

1. Unique nouns
a. The earth rotates around the sun.
b. The future looks bright!
2. Shared knowledge (both participants know what’s being referred to, so it’s not necessary to specify with any more details)
a. The boss just asked about the report.
b. Meet me in the parking lot after the show.
3. Second mention (with explicit first mention)
a. I found a good handout on English articles. The handout is available online.
b. You can get a giant ice cream cone downtown. If you can eat the cone in five seconds, you get another one free.
4. Second mention (with implied first mention—this one is very, very common)
a. Dr. Frankenstein performed a complicated surgery. He said the patient is recovering nicely. (“The patient” is implied by “surgery”—every surgery has a patient.)
b. My new shredder works fabulously! The paper is completely destroyed. (Again, “the paper” is implied by “shredder.”)
5. Ordinals and superlatives (first, next, primary, most, best, least, etc.)
a. The first man to set foot on the moon…
b. The greatest advances in medicine…
6. Specifiers (sole, only, principle, etc.)
a. The sole purpose of our organization is…
b. The only fact we need to consider is…
7. Restricted (words, phrases, or clauses that restrict the noun to one definite meaning)
a. Study the chapter on osmosis for the test tomorrow.
b. Also study the notes you took at the lecture that Dr. Science gave yesterday.
8. Plural nouns in partitive -of phrases (phrases that indicate parts of a larger whole) (Note: Treat “of the” as a chunk in these phrases—both words in or both words out)
a. Most of the international students (emphasis on part of the group)
b. Most international students (emphasis on the group as a whole)
c. Several of the risk factors (emphasis on part of the group)
d. Several risk factors (emphasis on the group as a whole)
e. A few of the examples (emphasis on part of the group)
f. A few examples (emphasis on the group as a whole)
 

Article flowchart

For the more visually oriented, this flowchart sketches out the basic rules and basic questions.