When is the article an used in English? How to determine if the article THE is needed with uncountable nouns and nouns in the plural? Rules for using the definite article in English

The article is usually used. There are two types - uncertain and definite- the Indefinite and Definite articles.

In some cases, the article is missing.

Indefinite article ("a" or "an") is used only with a noun in singular when talking about an object or concept that is not specified (not distinguished) by the context or situation or is named in speech, in the text for the first time i.e. we don't know anything specific about this subject.

The form "a" used before consonants "an"- before vowels.
Compare:

a table an apple
a dictionary an orange
a horse an hour

Compare:

I am a teacher.
I'am a teacher.

We are teachers.
We are teachers.

The indefinite article is placed before the name of the profession, occupation. A noun with an indefinite article carries a concept - one of the subject, gender, concepts, categories, etc.

Definite article. Definite article "the" It is used in those cases when it is said about a certain, already known or already mentioned object or concept in the speech. The definite article is also used in all cases when an object or concept is specified by a context or situation. The definite article is used with a noun both in the singular and in plural.
Compare:

The book you are asking for is on the table.
The book you are asking about is on the table.

The books you are asking for are on the table.
The books you ask about are on the table.

Abstract and real nouns are usually used without an article.
For example:

The price of gold is rising.
The price of gold is rising.

In cases where abstract and material nouns are used in a specific sense and denote a certain quantity or quality, these words are preceded by a definite article. For example:

The gold of this ring is very old.
The gold of this ring is very old.

Without the article, the following are used: proper names, names of countries, cities, streets, if they perform the functions of nouns in a sentence.
For example:

Henry lives in New York city on the corner of Broadway and 72nd Street.
Henry lives in New York on the corner of Broadway and 72nd Street.

But if the names of countries, cities, streets, proper names are used as a definition, then they are preceded by a definite article.
Compare:

Helsinki is the capital of Finland.
Helsinki is the capital of Finland.

The Helsinki agreement was signed on September 1, 1975
The Helsinki Agreement was signed on September 1, 1975.

If the name of a country contains a definition or a defining word, then it is used with the definite article.
For example:

the United States of America.
USA.

the Soviet Union.
Soviet Union.

the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom.

You should remember the names of some countries, cities, localities, which, as an exception, are always used with the definite article:

the Netherlands Netherlands
Ukraine Ukraine
the Congo Congo
the Hague Hague
the Crimea Crimea
the Caucasus Caucasus

Names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountains (mountains) and islands in English language usually used with the definite article.
For example:

the Volga River Volga
the Urals Ural (mountains)
the Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean
the north sea North Sea

The article is not used if the noun is preceded by a proper noun in the possessive case or a possessive pronoun.
For example:

John's house johnson house
my friend's house my friend's house
my book my book
our house our house

Hi all! Each language has its own rules that lend themselves to logic and explanation, and there are exceptions that are subject only to cramming. If your native language is Russian and you study English, then you are very lucky. You will have to learn a lot less rules. When studying irregular or modal verbs, you may not agree with me. But trust me in English rules and there are much fewer exceptions than in Russian. Definite article

Many cases of using, for example, articles in English can be reduced to a few basic rules, and in other cases, you need to learn how to find the logic of these same rules. Well, the rest, of course, you just have to memorize :). In this article, I will tell you about the basic rules for using the Definite Article in English.

You already know from previous lessons that there are two types of articles in English: uncertain (a/an) and definite (the), expressed by the given single form. Individualizing "The", like the definite, came from the Old English language, where it served as a demonstrative pronoun "that"(this that).

By pointing at something or someone, you rid your speech of any uncertainty, and the interlocutor will immediately understand what you are talking about. " The"That's why it is called definite, because when it is used, it is immediately clear about what object, person or event and it's about: The sandwich on the table(identifies a specific book lying on a specific table).

Thus, Definite Article sometimes used when the person or thing mentioned is known to both the listener and the speaker (from the environment, context previously mentioned in the conversation): It is a table - this is a table. The table is at the wall - the table is near the wall.

Basic Rules for Using the Definite Article

The fact that Definite Article is derived from a demonstrative pronoun determines the basic rules for its use. "The", unlike "a/an", can be used in any number and placed before any nouns. But in what situation? So, the definite article is used before:

One of a kind items: The Moon moves around the Earth. — The moon moves around the earth.
Items that have a definition: The boy that has stolen a picture, was caught. The boy who stole the painting has been caught.(Which boy? - who stole the painting)
Objects from a restricted collection or group: The wheel of the lorry was missing. The truck didn't have a wheel.(One of the 4 or 6 wheels of the truck was missing).

Article The

These are the basic rules for using Definite Article.

In general, try to do this: put the pronoun “this” or “that” before the noun.If the meaning of the sentence or phrase does not change, then feel free to sculpt "The", and if it changes, then before an uncountable noun. in units we put “a / an”, and if this is a plural noun, then we don’t put the article at all!Simply and easily! But you need to know the rules, so let's continue.

Indefinite article

There are two types of the indefinite article:

a used before words that begin with a consonant.
an used before words that begin with a vowel.

A noun with an indefinite article is the name of an object in general, and not the name of a specific object. For example, a student evokes a representation of a student in general, that is, a student of higher educational institution but not about a specific person.

The meaning of the indefinite article can be expressed in Russian with such words as one, one of, some, any, any, any, any, each.

The indefinite article is used with singular countable nouns. Not used in the plural, sometimes replaced indefinite pronouns some (several) any (any, anyone).

Definite article

The definite article has only one form: the. individualizing article the derived from demonstrative pronoun that- that.

No article: zero article

No indefinite article

The indefinite article is not used:

before plural nouns
an article - articles

abstract nouns
imagination - imagination
nouns mi real, uncountable(nouns that cannot be counted, for example, you cannot say: three waters).
water (water), salt (salt), tea (tea)

If there is a definition before the noun, then the article is placed before this definition:
a story (story)
an interesting story (interesting story)

substitution rule

Use of the indefinite article

1. Indefinite article is used before a noun when it only names an object, classifies it as a representative of a certain kind of objects, but does not single out it specifically.

a table - some table (just a table, not a chair)
a chair

2. when mentioning an object or person for the first time

That "s a pretty girl. - Beautiful girl

3. in a general sense:
A noun with an indefinite article in this sense means: any, anyone.

A cow gives milk.
A cow (any) gives milk.

3. with professions:

My Dad is a Doctor. - My dad is a doctor.
She "s an architect. - She is an architect.

4. with some quantity expressions:

a pair
a little - a little
a few - a few

5. in exclamatory sentences: before a singular countable noun after the word what (what).

What a beautiful day! - What a wonderful day!
What a pity! - What a pity!

Use of the definite article

Definite article is put in the event that the subject or person in question is known to both the speaker and the listener (from the context, the environment, or as previously mentioned in this speech).

It is a chair - this is a chair
The chair is at the table - the chair is near the table

Try to substitute the word this or that before the noun. If the meaning of what is being said does not change, then the definite article must be put before the noun, and if it changes, then the indefinite article is put before the noun in the singular (if it is countable), and not put before the plural noun at all.

1. Re-mentioned when it is clear from the previous text what it is about:

The girl was beautiful. (This) girl was beautiful.

2. Clear in a situation where it is clear what/who is meant:

The lesson is over. - The lesson is over.

3. Having an individuating definition, that is, a definition that distinguishes this person or object from a number of similar ones.

3.1. Definition, naming a sign :
This is the house that Jack built. This is the house that Jack built.
3.2. Definition, expressed by the adjective in the superlative form e
This is the shortest way to the river - This is the shortest way to the river
3.3. Definition, expressed by ordinal number
He missed the first lecture. - He missed the first lecture
3.4. Definition, expressed by proper name
the Bristol road - the road to Bristol.
3.5. Definitions expressed in words:
The next stop is ours. “The next stop is ours.

4. Before singular nouns:

the sun - the sun
the moon - the moon
the Earth
the floor - floor (one in the room)
the sea - the sea (the only one in the area)

5. Before adjectives and participles that have turned into nouns, with a plural meaning:

the strong- strong the old- old men, the young- the youth,

Absence of an article (zero article

1. If there is a pronoun before the noun or nouns in the possessive case.
My room is large - My room is large.

2. A noun is used without an article in the plural in those cases:

2.1. when singular in front of him there would be an indefinite article:
I saw a letter on the table. — I saw a letter on the table.
I saw letters on the table. — I saw the letters on the table.

3. Uncountable real nouns.
water water, milk milk, chalk chalk, sugar sugar, tea tea, snow snow, grass grass, wool wool, meat meat and others.

4. Uncountable abstract nouns (abstract concepts).
weather weather, music music, power force, knowledge knowledge, art art, history history, mathematics mathematics, light light, love love, life life, time time
I like music - I love music.
But at the same time, some abstract nouns can be used with the indefinite article, expressing a kind of quality, state.
He got a good education. He received a good education.

In English, plural nouns can be preceded by the definite article. pronoun some(any) or the qualifier may be absent.

Rules for using the pronoun some

If it is possible to put one of the words before a Russian noun: several, some, some, some, before the corresponding noun in the English sentence there is the pronoun some (any).
If none of these words can be placed before the Russian noun, then there is no determiner before the corresponding noun in the English sentence.

I bought some apples yesterday - I bought apples yesterday (a few, some apples)

The topic of articles in English is one of the most difficult for a Russian-speaking person. This lesson will help you deal with 99% of the difficulties when using articles.

Fundamental rules

Indefinite article

A/an used when "we don't know which one" because the thing or person:

One of many.
He's an artist.(= there are many artists, he is one of them)

not unique.
I"ve just bought a Ferrari.

not mentioned before.
There was a new student in class today.

Definite article

The used when "we know which one" because the thing or person:

unique (or unique in this context).
The Australian Prime Minister(= he's the only one)
I looked inside- the engine was in a terrible state.(in this case, there is only one engine)

mentioned earlier.
The man gave me a ticket. I looked at it and saw that the ticket was a single.

determined by the phrase that follows it.
What's the new student's name?

No article / Zero article

Articles are not used when talking about something. all in all:

using uncountable nouns or plural nouns.
Do you like sport?

with names of people and places, but there are many exceptions (see below)
a book by Professor Jones

Fixed phrases

There are many fixed phrases that are used with and without the article. They just need to be remembered. For example:
at home, at work, at the beginning, at the end, go to bed, go to the cinema/shops/station, in the world, once a week, sixty kilometers an hour, the other day, the same etc.

There may be problems with

work (who doesn't have a problem with it? :)

If there are many people doing a particular job, use a/an

My husband is an architect.(= there are many architects, he is one of them)

But if the work is characteristic of only one person, it is used the .

He is having talks with the French foreign minister.(= he's the only one)

In general, everything here corresponds to the basic rules.

Superlatives

The used for adjectives in the superlative degree.

She's the best person for the job.

last and next

These adjectives can be used both with the article the , and without it, but with a difference in meaning.

I saw James last night.(= night before this night, previous)
It's the last night of our holiday.(= last night)
I'll see you next week. (= next behind the current one)

Institutions: school, prison, university, church, home, hospital

With words school, prison, university, church, home, hospital, etc., the article is not used when we think of them as institutions designed for a specific purpose (study, be treated, etc.)

My sister had to stay in hospital overnight.

However, if we think of a building as a physical object, the article is used. the .

Our flat is opposite the hospital.

Use of definite articles with time and place

Time notation

The used in

Dates: the 25th of December / December the 25th
Parts of the day: in the afternoon, in the evening, in the morning(but at night, at lunchtime)
Decades / Centuries: the 1980s the 21st century

Other notations of time are used without the article.

Years / Seasons: in 2002, in summer
Months / Days: in August, on Friday, see you tomorrow

Place names

Names of countries, continents, islands, states, provinces, cities are used without articles.
in Asia, to Sydney, from Texas, in Turkey

Exceptions:
the czech republic, the netherlands, the uk, the arab world, the USA

When talking about any area, use the article not need.
Northwest India, Northern Europe

But:
in the east of the country, in the south of Italy the coast

Most names of roads, streets, parks, bridges, shops and restaurants not use articles.
Central Park, Harrods, Oxford Street, Tower Bridge

The names of theaters, cinemas, hotels, galleries and museums use the article the .
the hermitage, the National Theatre, the Odeon, the Ritz

The names of rare mountains and lakes are used without article.
Lake Victoria, Mount Everest

Mountain systems, rivers, seas and canals are used with the article the .
the atlantic, the(River) Danube, the Himalayas, the Panama Canal

Additionally, it is highly recommended to take lessons 76-78 of this English grammar unit (if you have not already done so).

Now let's check your General knowledge".

Texts of this lesson not are classified as "Beginners", so if you have difficulty with their implementation, then you can limit yourself to only the theory of this lesson, applying it to the texts of your level.

Exercise 1. Complete the General Knowledge test with the correct articles.

Exercise 2. Fill in the correct articles for the gaps.

Count how many correct answers you got in % (there were 50 answers in total). If less than 80%, then you have not mastered the topic of articles. Consult the theoretical part of the lesson when learning English, and when you feel confident, return to these exercises again.

Exercise 3 Correct the mistakes, if any, in the sentences (the whole sentence does not need to be rewritten).

She was determined to be the author one day.

She recently became the minister in the new government.

A: What make is your computer? B: It's Mac.

I found myself talking to George Clooney! Not George Clooney, of course, but someone with the same name.

I didn't even know Clara was interested in art until I heard that she owns Van Gogh.

I"ve been offered the position of Director of Personnel.

We're going on holiday with Nielsens.

He "s really keen on athletics. He likes to think of himself as the Usain Bolt.

Watch this video to get a basic understanding of articles in English before reading this article.

Why are articles needed in English?

Did you know that the article is a part of speech that does not exist in Russian?

We change the stress and word order to give the phrase a shade, and in English it is strictly fixed.

See how the meaning of the phrase changes:

I like the car.
I like the car.

Do you feel a trick? In the first case, it is not clear what kind of car it is, and in the second it is about a specific car.

In English, you cannot interchange words, so articles are used to give the desired shade to the phrase. A, An and The.

Article rules

The concept of the article in English grammar is associated with the category of definiteness. Simplified, the rule of articles is:

Remember!
If we are talking about an unknown subject, then the indefinite article A / An. If we are talking about something specific, then the article is placed before it. The.

Task: What articles should be used in the following examples?

We bought a car.

We bought the car we saw yesterday.

Click on the arrows for the answer.

Clue.
Article The descended from This(this) - you can point with your finger.
A / An descended from One(one).

That's why the article A/An used only in the singular!

In a simplified form, the grammatical rules of articles can be represented as follows:

Plural noun?
Noun countable?
Have you heard of him before? (indefinite or definite article)
Is it about something in common?

What is the difference between the articles A and An?

Let's repeat!
Indefinite article A/An(which is derived from one) put only before in the singular!

So what is the difference between A and An?

Article A placed before words that begin with consonants (a c at, a h ouse, a y ard), and An- before words that begin with vowels (an a pple, an h our).

Let this picture pop up before your eyes when you choose a meju a and an.

When do we use the indefinite article?

1. When we classify an object, we attribute it to a certain group of objects.

A cow is an animal. - A cow is an animal.
An apple is a fruit. - An apple is a fruit.

2. When we characterize the subject.

My mother is a nurse. - My mother is a nurse.
He is an idiot! - He is idiot!

When is the article an used in English? How to determine if the article THE is needed with uncountable nouns and nouns in the plural? Rules for using the definite article in English

Basic Rules for Using the Definite Article

Other uses of the definite article

Indefinite article

Definite article