ARTICLES

ARTICLES DEFINITION: The articles are the words: a, an, the, The articles are of two kinds: 1. Indefinite Article – A or An 2. Definite Article – The INDEFINITE ARTICLE: A and An is an indefinite article because they mean an indefinite person, animal, or object. Usually a or a sit before singular countable noun. Example - He has a pen. - I purchased a book. - This is a elephant - He took a apple Use of A and An 1. Usually, before a consonant a and vowel (a, e, i, o, u) precede a. For example - a hen, a book, a pen, an apple, an egg, an orange. 2. If there is h at the beginning of the word and h is similar to h, then a sitting before it. But if h is pronounced o or any other pronunciation, then a sit before it. For example, a horse, an historian, an honest man, an hour. 3. If there is a vowel at the beginning of the word and its pronunciation is similar to u, then a sitting before it. For example- a ewe, a European, a uniform, a university, a useful metal. 4. A sit before the words formed by o. Only before one word a sit For example- an open field, an open heart surgery, an opera, an orange, a one note, a one eyed man. 5. The abbreviation of the abbreviation, ie the first letter of the abbreviation, is spoken like a vowel before it sits. But if the first letter of the abbreviation is pronounced like a consonant, then a sit before it. For example- an M.B.B.S, an F.C.P.S, an M.A, a B.A, a B.SC. Other uses of A and An 1. Before all the singular common nouns a / a sit. For example, A tiger is a dangerous animal; An ant is an industrious insect. 2. Understand a person or object before a / a sit For example, he purchased an orange, he lives in a tiny room. 3. To express the meaning of something similar (the same, the certain) etc. before the singular common noun a / a sit. Such as - Birds of a feather flock together - Criminals are of a (the same) character. - There were a farmer. 4. In the sense of preposition sometimes a used. Such a is called a disguised preposition. For example, he went on a (on) shopping 5. Few, little, good many, lot of, great many, good deal, etc. before the plural noun a / an sit Occasionally many after a / a sit Example - I have a few friends here - The library has a lot of books. - The rich man has a good deal with money - Many people were present in the meeting 6. A sit before the numerical word-dozen, hundred, thousand, million, couple, score, etc. 7. Exclamation means a sitting after what, how, why, etc. - What a beautiful lady! - How nice a bird! 8. Singular Common noun - quite, many, rather, but before a / a sit. - He is rather a gentleman - You are but a child 9. A / a sit before Mr. / Mrs./Miss. - A Mr. Ashik called in his house - A Mrs. Habiba sought his help Articles (Use and Omission): Omission of a / an: 1. Do not sit before a / an meal. However, pre-meal meals pre-a / a sit. Incorrect- We have a dinner at 8.00 pm. Correct- We have dinner at 8.00 pm Incorrect- We had a good breakfast yesterday. Correct- We had a good breakfast yesterday 2. Do not sit a / an before plural noun. - Birds are beautiful - Cows are useful 3. Uncountable nouns are not considered as nouns such as - advice, information, news, baggage, water, milk, oil, tea, paper, etc. - He gave me some information - We take tea - He drinks water But if there are some measuring words that can be measured before a / a sit. For example - Give me a glass of water. Definite Article The definite article is because it refers to a specific person, animal, or object. Example -I saw the bird - I read the book. - Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh Use of definite article:     Specifically refers to the singular and plural numbers of the common noun, before the sittings.     - The boy is reading.     - The girl is singing     Before the singular common noun, the meaning of one nation is to all.     - The cow gives us milk.     - The rose is beautiful flower     Humans do not sit before man and women.     Incorrect - The man is mortal.     Correct - Man is mortal.     Sitting before the name of river, sea, bay, mountain range, lamp, ship etc.     For example - The Andamans, The Himalayas, The Titanic.     Prior to the names of scriptures and magazines     For example - The Holy Quran, The Daily sun     The individual objects - the earth, moon, sun, east, west, north, south etc.     The sun, The earth, The moon     Sitting before the descriptive or meaningful name.     - The U.S.A, The Punjab     Before the date name, sit.     For example - The 10th March.     Before the name of the nation and community, sit.     For example - The rich, The poor, The Muslims.     Before the adjective in the superlative degree, sit.     For example - He is the best boy in the class     Do not sit before the material noun. However, the meaning of the particular place or type of the          sitting     For example - The Diamond of Africa is famous.     If pre-nouns are prejudicial, then before sitting.     For example - The Great Akbar     The name of the family or the family name is plural before the sitting.     For example - The khans, The Pathans.     Number publisher word if the unit is in the sense of sitting before it.     For example - Eggs are sold by the dozens.     Before the musical instrument sit.     For example - I cannot play the guitar The cowboy can play the flute well     Some instruments and inventions before the session.     For example - Markoni invented the radio. The bicycle is a easy means of transport.     Sitting before the singular designation.     For example - The president, The Prime Minister, The headmaster Omission of definite article:     If the name of the author of the famous book is before the book, do not sit. But if the author's name is not previously,     For example - The Gitanjoli of Robindranath.     Do not sit on the road, Aveiro, Square, park name.     For example - He is going to park     Do not sit before language names.     For example - Bangla is our mother language, English is an international language     But after the name of the language the language is mentioned in the word.     For example - The English language is international.     Do not sit before the lake name.     Such as Lake Superior, Lake Baikal, Lake Caspian.     Do not sit before the day or month's name.     For example - Friday is holyday.     Do not sit before the name of the disease.     For example - Fever has broken out in the home.     Do not sit before the name of Allah or God.     For example - Allah has created us     Do not sit before body parts and clothing.     For example - Raise your right hand. Put off your shirt     Do not sit before the travel related vehicles or travel routes.     For example - by bus, by train, by launch READ MORE: Definite Article Indefinite Article When articles are not used Difference in meaning with use of articles Difference in meaning with or without the use of articles There are rules governing the usage of a, an and the. By learning the rules, we may still not fully understand their usage. However, there are ways to better understand how to use them and one effective way is to read as much as we can.

1. Definite Article

The is the definite article as it identifies a definite or particular noun that we know of. It is not about a noun that has not been mentioned beforehand or a noun that we are unaware of. EXAMPLE: I received a letter. The letter is from a former classmate. (CORRECT) NOT: I received the letter. The letter is from the former classmate. First sentence: I received the letter. – Which letter is referred to? Second sentence: The letter is from the former classmate. – We know 'The letter' as it refers to the letter I received (in the first sentence). / the former classmate – There are many former classmates, which one?) This shows how easily we can confuse the reader if we do not exercise care in using the. The is used: 1. when the same thing or person is mentioned again, that is, a particular thing or person. Example: I bought an orange. The orange is sweet. 2. When there is only one such thing. Example: the earth, the sun, the moon. 3. Before the names of famous buildings, etc. Example: The Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China. 4. When a singular noun is used to point out a whole class, race, group, etc. Example: The bear is a strong animal. 5. before the special names of a rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, groups of islands, certain organizations, political parties, and countries such as the U.S.A., the U.K., the U.S.S.R. and the U.A.R. Example: The Nile, The Dead Sea, The Pacific Ocean, The Himalayas, The United Nations, The Republican Party, etc. 6. before the names of holy or important books. Example: The Koran, The Bible. 7. Before an adjective when the noun is understood. Example: The poor need help. Example: No one seems to care for the homeless in the city. More examples: This is the boy you are looking for. (This means this is the particular boy you are looking for, not any other boy.) That is the cinema I went to yesterday. (I remember and am sure that is the cinema I went to and not another cinema.) While they were there, they visited the science museum. (They visited the particular museum which is the only one in the country.)

2. Indefinite Article

The indefinite articles are a and an. We use them to show an unspecified noun, and not a special one, or when we are speaking in general. A is used: Before a word which begins with a consonant. Example: There is a woman waiting for you. Before a singular, countable noun. Example: A banana was all I had for lunch. When we mention something for the first time. Example: I saw a dog. before a word with a long sound of u Example: a university, a uniform, a useful book, a European, a unique opportunity. Example: It would be a unique opportunity to travel in space. Before the word one because one is pronounced wun, as if it began with W. Example: a one-way street, a one-eyed man, a one-year course, a one-day holiday, etc. Example: I have a one-way ticket to travel from one place to another as I don't intend to visit a place twice. An is used: Before a noun which begins with a vowel. Example: They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Before a word which begins with a vowel sound or a silent h. Example: an hour, an honest man, an heir, an honour, an honourable man, etc. Example: An hour passed and she still hadn't arrived.

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3. When Articles are Not Used

Articles are not used: 1. before the name of a person: Example: I am a fan of Michael Jackson. (NOT: I am a fan of the Michael Jackson) 2. before the name of a place, town, country, street, or road. Example: Barcelona is a beautiful city. (NOT: The Barcelona is a beautiful city.) 3. before names of materials. Example: Gold is found in Australia. (NOT: The gold is found in Australia.) 4. before abstract nouns used in a general sense. Example: You cannot buy happiness. (NOT: You cannot buy a/the happiness.) Articles are not used: 1.       before the name of a person:   EExample: I am a fan of Michael Jackson. (NOT: I am a fan of the Michael Jackson) 2.       before the name of a place, town, country, street, or road.   EExample: Barcelona is a beautiful city. (NOT: The Barcelona is a beautiful city.) 3.       before names of materials.   EExample: Gold is found in Australia. (NOT: The gold is found in Australia.) 4.       before abstract nouns used in a general sense.   EExample: You cannot buy happiness. (NOT: You cannot a/the happiness.)

4. Difference in Meaning with Use of Articles

It helps to observe the following rules: When we use two or more adjectives to describe the same person or thing, we use the article only before the first adjective. EXAMPLE: He talked to a tall and blonde woman. (He talked to a (one) woman who was tall and blonde.) When we use two or more adjectives to refer to more than one person or thing, we use the article before each adjective. EXAMPLE: He talked to a tall and a blonde woman. (He talked to two women, one of whom was tall and the other was a blonde.)

5. Difference in Meaning with or without the Use of Articles

He is at the school. (We know which school.) He is at a school. (We don't know which school.) He is at school. (He is a student and is learning.)