The definite and indefinite article. In a number of stable expressions

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Indefinite article a/an in English (the indefinite article) has two forms:

a[ə] - used before consonants. That is, if the word begins with a consonant sound, it is used a:

a b ok, a t able, a m an, a g irl, a c computer, a t omato, a yacht [ jɒt], a unit[ ˈj uːnɪt]

an[ən] - used before vowels. That is, if the word begins with a vowel sound, it is used an:

an a pple, an e ngineer, an i dea, an o range, an a nswer, an hour [ˈ aʊə(r)]

Please note that the choice of the form of the indefinite article is determined not by spelling, but by pronunciation.

For example, the word hour starts with a vowel, so we use the article an (an hour), although the first letter is a consonant h. Or, for example, the word yacht (yacht) spelled with a vowel y, but the consonant sound [j] is pronounced, so we choose a (a yacht). The use of different forms of the same article helps to make speech harmonious, light, natural. Try to pronounce a apple or an book and you will feel how difficult and uncomfortable it is.

Remember:

Indefinite article a/an used only with in the singular:

a pen(pen), a story(story), a chair(chair), a child(child), a flower(flower)

If the noun is used in the plural form, then the indefinite article is absent. The absence of an article before a noun is usually called " zero article».

pens(pens), stories(stories), chairs(chairs), children(children), flowers(flowers)

When the indefinite article a / an is used

Below you will find a description of the main uses of the indefinite article. a/an in English.

№1

Indefinite article a/an used when we first mention an object or person. In this case, we assume that our interlocutor does not know what or who we are talking about.

Yesterday I bought a handbag. — I bought a bag yesterday.
Up until this point, I hadn't even said that I was going to buy a bag. That is, I mention this for the first time (my interlocutor does not know anything about this bag), hence the indefinite article a/an.

If you continue to talk about this bag, then the noun handbag (bag) will already be used with the definite article the, since this time the interlocutor knows which particular bag we are talking about:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. The handbag is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. The handbag is very beautiful.

Although most often a personal pronoun is used instead of a noun, it sounds more natural and avoids repetition:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. It is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. She's very beautiful.

№2

Indefinite article a/an is used when we are not talking about a given (specific) object or person, but simply about any, about some, about one of a group of the same objects or people. In other words, when we talk about an object or a person in general, not meaning a specific skirt, work, handle or dog:

I want to buy a skirt. — I want to buy a skirt. (some kind of skirt, I don’t know which one yet; I only know that I want a skirt, not a dress)
He refused to look for a job. He refused to look for a job. (any job)
give me a pen, please. - Give me a pen, please. (any, any)
It is a dog. - This is a dog. (some dog, any dog)

When we are not talking about a certain object or person, but about any, then further, if we need to re-designate it, we do not use personal pronouns or the definite article the. Again, we use the indefinite article a/an or pronoun one.

She wants a car but he says they don't need one. She wants a car, but he says they don't need it.
or
She wants a car but he says they don't need a car. She wants a car, but he says they don't need a car.
She wants to have a car (not a motorcycle, not a bicycle, but some kind of car, so a car), but he says that they do not need a car (they do not need any car at all, and not some specific one). Since in the second part of the sentence we are again talking about any / indefinite machine, we again use a car.

№3

Indefinite article a/an we also use to describe or give some information about what has already been mentioned before. In this case, an adjective is often used before the noun. Note that although the article comes before the adjective, it refers to the noun:

It is a beautiful place. - This is a beautiful place. (describe what this place is)
He is a clever boy. - He is a smart boy. (characterize what kind of boy he is)
Do you live in a big house? — Do you live in a big house? (we ask which house)

When we talk about a person's profession or work, we also use the indefinite article a/an:

She is a teacher. - She is a teacher.
I am a doctor. - I am a doctor.

№4

Historically indefinite article a/an derived from the numeral one (one). Hence the possibility in some cases to replace the article a/an numeral one. Such a substitution is possible when the article a/an essentially means "one". For example, this meaning of the indefinite article is observed in numerals a hundred (one hundred), a thousand (thousand), a million (million) and in the word a dozen (dozen) when they are used alone or before a noun:

This toy costs a thousand rubbles. = This toy costs one thousan d rubbles. This toy costs a thousand rubles (one thousand rubles).
give me a dozen, please. = Give me one dozen, please. - Give me a dozen, please (one dozen).

It is with the origin of the numeral one (one) and the meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article is connected, which is especially evident when expressing measures of time, distance, weight or quantity:

This chocolate bar costs a dollar. This bar of chocolate costs a dollar. (=one dollar, we can replace a dollar on the one dollar)
I'll call you in an hour. - I'll call you in an hour. (=in one hour, we can replace an hour on the one hour)
Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? — Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? (=one kilogram, we can replace a kilo on the one kilo)

Please note that the numeral one instead of the article a/an should be used only if you want to emphasize that it is about one object or person, that is, when you want to be very precise:

I have got one sister. - I have one sister. (not two sisters, not three, but only one)
I have got a sister. - I have a sister. (in this case, I'm just reporting that I have a sister)

The meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article can be seen in some stable phrases that convey the one-time action:

have a look- take a look
have a snack- have a snack
have a try- try, try
have a rest- relax
have a good time- have a good time
give a chance- give a chance
give a hint- hint
give a lift- give a ride
make a mistake- make a mistake
play a trick- play a trick

№5

Indefinite article a/an also used when it is necessary to indicate the quantity per unit of measure. For example, when we talk about the price of oranges per kilogram, the amount of wages per month, the number of classes per week, or the speed of a car per hour. The noun denoting this very one unit of measurement will be used with the indefinite article.

The oranges were 80 rubles a kilo. - Oranges cost 80 rubles per kilogram.
She works 8 hours a day. She works 8 hours a day.
I go to aerobics twice a week. — I go to aerobics twice a week.

№6

Indefinite article a/an can also be used with some uncountable abstract nouns (for example, humor - humor, hatred - hatred, anger - anger, magic - magic) when they carry an adjective. Usually such use of the indefinite article is characteristic of the book style and expresses the author's desire to emphasize the individual, special character of this or that abstract concept.

Note that in the case described above, the use of the indefinite article is optional. If you do not want to emphasize in a certain way the special character of any emotion, character trait, etc., the article a/an may not be used.

On a note

To learn how to use the indefinite article a/an more or less automatically, try forming this rule in your head: use the indefinite article with singular countable nouns when there is no other reason to use the definite article the or some other determiner (possessive or indefinite pronoun).

In English, unlike Russian, special words are widely used - articles. The article and the rules for its use in English are presented below in examples to facilitate the perception of the necessary material. There are two articles in English - the definite the and indefinite a (an) . The article is usually only placed before nouns. The indefinite article applies exclusively to singular countable nouns, while the definite article can be applied to various singular and plural whether they are countable or not.

First, let's remember in which cases the article is not used. The article is not used if the noun is preceded by (one, two, six, etc), a possessive or (this, that, my, our etc.), another possessive noun (my father's, Mary's etc), or the negation of "no" (not not!). Examples:

• My room is not big, but comfortable - My room is small but comfortable.
• There are two boys in the yard - there are two boys in the yard.
• I have no brother - I don't have a brother.

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Note: if a noun in the possessive case performs the function of an adjective, the use of the article is possible, for example: Paul is a man's name(man's name). Paula is a woman's name(woman's name). It's a children's bicycle(children bicycle).

The article is not used with uncountable nouns denoting an indefinite amount of a substance or an abstract concept:

• I don't like tea, I prefer coffee. I don't like tea, I prefer coffee Tea coffee- generally)
• Friendship is one of the most important things in my life. Friendship is one of the most important things in my life (friendship is an abstract concept)

The article is not used with the names of sports:

• I am fond of football, and my sister prefers badminton. — I love football, but my sister prefers badminton.

Also, the article is not used with proper names (except for some geographical names, which will be discussed below).

Indefinite article "a"

The indefinite article is "a" / "an" - this is not an independent article, but a form of the indefinite, which is used before nouns that begin with a vowel sound: an apple, an orange.

• The forms a and an are remnants of the Old English word for "one", so The indefinite article is only used with singular nouns.

The indefinite article is used in the following cases:

• The first time an item is mentioned. For example, I live in a house.
• When designating a profession or occupation. For example, She is a teacher. My friend is a student.
• After: This is, That is, It is, There is. For example, This is a computer. There is a rose in the vase.
• If an adjective characterizing it is used with a noun, in such cases the article is placed before the adjective. Example: This is a flower. This is a red flower.
• Remember the use of the indefinite article in the following types of sentences

— What a beautiful color!
— What a tasty cake!
— What a good girl!

The definite article "the"

Definite article used in the following cases:

• If we are talking about a certain subject that we have already talked about, or if we understand from the context what it is about. For example, Yesterday I saw a film. The film was not interesting.
• With items that are one of a kind Thesun, thewind, themoon,theearth
• After . For example, There is a cat in front of the monitor.
• C - the smallest - the smallest, the quickest - the fastest
• C, for example: the first book, the fifth floor (BUT: if the ordinal number denotes a number, the article is not put: Lesson 7, Bus 15, page 45)
• With cardinal points: In the north; in the south; in the east; in the west
• With a surname - when it comes to the whole family - the Ivanovs - Ivanovs, the Smiths - Smiths
• In stable phrases: In the morning; in the evening; in the afternoon; to the cinema/ theatre; to the shop/market; at the cinema/the theatre; at the shop/ the market

Definite article with place names

The definite article must be used with the following geographical names:

• seas - the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea
• oceans - the Pacific Ocean
• rivers - the Voilga, the Nile
• channels - the English Channel
• bays, straits - the Gulf of Mexico, the Bosphorus Straits
• archipelagos - the Seichelles
• deserts - the Sahara, the Gobi
• mountain ranges - the Alps
• countries, if the name contains the word Republic, Federation, Kingdom, it is in the plural (t he Netherlands) or shortened to an abbreviation (the USA, the UK)

The article is not used with the names of countries, lakes, mountains (peaks), islands, cities, continents, streets, squares, airports. Exceptions:

• theGambia— Gambia,
• the Hague from The Hague

The definite article is also used with the names of hotels, cinemas, theaters, newspapers and magazines.

We have reflected the basic rules for the use of the article. There are many nuances, and the scope of one article does not allow to mention everything. But we have prepared another video tutorial about some difficult cases use of the article:

We hope that the above will help you understand the articles in English and use them correctly in your speech, but do not forget that repetition is the mother of learning, do not be lazy to revise the rules as often as possible.

Article- This is a special function word in English, which is used before a noun. The article is often not translated into Russian. In English, the article is a determiner of a noun and is not an independent part of speech. More about the article in English.

The definite article (the definite article) the used in English in the following cases:

1. The definite article is used before countable nouns, if it is clear from the situation/previous experience/context which object or person is being referred to.

Examples: We met a girl in the park. The girl was a famous actress. We met a girl in the park. This girl was a famous actress. (In the second sentence, the noun girl used with the definite article the, because the girl was already discussed in the previous sentence)
Please close the book. – Close the book, please. (It should be clear to the interlocutor which book is being discussed, otherwise the speaker could not use the article in this case the)

2. The definite article is used before a noun with a definition, which indicates what kind of subject it is.

Examples: show me the magazinethat I gave you 2 weeks ago. Show me the magazine I gave you 2 weeks ago.
The keylying near the pillar is mine. - The key lying near the counter is mine.

3. The definite article is used with nouns that denote unique, one-of-a-kind objects, or the only objects in given conditions.

Examples:the sun - the sun (does not indicate the name of the planets, therefore it is used with the definite article as a phenomenon, the only one of its kind),
the moon - the moon (does not indicate the name of the planets, therefore it is used with the definite article as a phenomenon, the only one of its kind),
the sky - sky (one of a kind),
the Eiffel Tower - Eiffel Tower (the only one)
the captain - captain (since he is the only one on the ship),
the chief - chef (since he is the only chef in the restaurant),
the window - window (since it is the only one in the room),
the Earth - Earth (Earth as a planet, one of a kind),
BUT!
Noun Earth in the meaning of one of the planets (as Venus - Venus or Saturn - Saturn) used without an article and capitalized, since according to the rule the names of the planets are used without the article.

4. The definite article is used before a noun, which means not a separate object, but the whole class as a whole.

Examples:The lion is a wild animal. - The lion is a wild animal.
The pine is an evergreen tree. - Pine is an evergreen tree.

5. The definite article is used with the names of cinemas, hotels, museums, galleries, newspapers and magazines, ships.

Examples:the Odeon - cinema "Odeon",
the Astoria - hotel "Astoria",
the British Museum - British Museum,
the Tate Gallery - Tate Gallery,
the The Times - The Times newspaper
the Santa Maria - the ship "Santa Maria", etc.

Note! If the name of the city object (cinema, hotel, museum, gallery, etc.) contains the name locality or a person's name (ending in -s or 's), then the article is not used.

Examples: St. Paul's Cathedral - Cathedral of St. Paul
Madame Tussaud's Museum - Madame Tussauds Museum
Covent Garden - Covent Garden Opera House (named after the nearby market)
MacDonald's - McDonald's
Westminster Abbey - Westminster Abbey (named after the district)
Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace (after the name of the county in England)
Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh Castle
London Zoo - London Zoo
Scotland Yard - Scotland Yard

6. The definite article is used with the names of rivers, canals, seas, oceans, groups of islands, mountain ranges, deserts, lakes(if they are used without a word lake).

Examples:the Dnepr - Dnieper,
the Panama Canal - Panama Canal,
the Black Sea - Black Sea,
the pacific-ocean- Pacific Ocean,
the Hawaiian Islands - Hawaiian Islands,
the Bahamas - Bahamas,
the Urals - Ural Mountains,
the Sahara desert - Sahara desert,
the Ontario - Ontario, etc.
BUT!
Lake Superior - Lake Superior
Leech Lake– (lake) Lich
loch Ness - (lake) Loch Ness (loch is the Scottish version of the word "lake")

7. The definite article is used with country names consisting of more than one word.

Examples:the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Union of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
the United States of America - the USA - United States of America,
the Philippines - Philippines,
the United Arab Emirates - United Arab Emirates,
the Netherlands - the Netherlands, etc.

As an exception, the definite article is used with the following countries and localities:

Examples:the Sudan - Sudan,
the Congo - Congo,
the Argentine Argentina,
the Ukraine - Ukraine,
the Crimea - Crimea,
the Caucasus - Caucasus, etc.

8. The definite article is used with the following city names:

Examples:the Hague - The Hague,
the Athens - Athens,
the Vatican - Vatican, etc.

9. The definite article is used with the following words (when they are used as adverbs of place):

Examples:beach- beach, cinema- cinema, city- city, country(side)- countryside, ground- Earth, jungle- jungle, library- library, pub- bar, radio- radio, sea- sea, sea ​​side- coast, station- railway station, shop- score, theater- theatre, world- the world, etc.

10. The definite article is used with adjectivesonly - only, last - last, first - first.

Examples: It was the first time I was ever in love. It was the first time I fell in love.
I had the only dream to become an engineer-designer of the electronic devices. “My only dream was to become an electronics design engineer.

11. The definite article is used with substantiated adjectives.

Examples:the rich - rich,
the young - youth,
the homeless - homeless, etc.

12. The definite article is used with superlative adjectives.

Examples: Nicole is the best friend. – Nicole – best friend.
Winter is the coldest season of the year. - Winter is the coldest season of the year.

13. The definite article is used with ordinal numbers.

Examples:the first - first,
the second - second,
the fifteenth - fifteenth,
the second Unit - the second lesson,
BUT
Unit 1 - Lesson 1, etc.

14. The definite article is used with wordsmorning - morning, afternoon - day, evening - evening.

Examples: in the morning - in the morning,
in the afternoon - in the afternoon,
in the evening - in the evening.

15. The definite article is used with names of musical instruments.

Examples:the piano - piano,
the violin - violin
the double-bass - double bass,
the guitar - guitar, etc.

16. The definite article is used with names of nationalities.

Examples:the Ukrainian - Ukrainians,
the Belorussian - Belarusians,
the English - English,
the Dutch - Dutch, etc.

17. The definite article is used with a surname when it comes to the whole family.

Examples:the Petrovs - the Petrov family,
the Browns - the Brown family, etc.

18. The definite article is used with titles.

Examples:the queen - queen,
the Prince - prince,
the Lord - lord,
BUT!
Queen Victoria - Queen Victoria,
Prince William - Prince William,
Lord Byron - Lord Byron, etc.

The indefinite article is used when you mention something for the first time or when you want to say: "some one", "any", "one of".

Article a (an) is only used before singular countable nouns - i.e. in front of those where you can mentally say one.

Countable nouns are those that can be counted. For example, books, trees, dogs, etc.

In the plural, the indefinite article is not used.

1. At the first mention

I've seen a new film. The film is called Slumdog Millionaire. - I saw a new movie.

How to use the article

It's called Slumdog Millionaire.

This is a classic example: when first mentioned, the article is used. a, with repeated - article the.

2. General situation (some one, some, any)

It's about something in general, not about something specific.

Example

I'd like to buy a dress. - I want to buy a dress.
This is not about a particular dress, but about a dress.

And if you said:
I'd like to buy the dress - this would mean that you do not mean some unknown dress, but a specific dress, this.

3. We are talking about a representative isolated from a number of the same type

Example

Ludwig van Beethoven was a great composer. - Ludwig van Beethoven was a great composer.

Those. one of the great composers. If we put here instead of the article a article the, this would mean that Beethoven - the only one the greatest composer in the world. But that's not the case. There are many great composers, and Beethoven is only one of them.

The difference between the article a and an

Article a used before words that begin with a consonant, and the article an- from a vowel.

Examples

A book - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An apple - the word begins with a vowel sound.

It seems that everything is simple and clear? Yes, but there are more difficult situations. Please note - from a consonant (vowel) sound, not letters.

Examples

A house - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An hour - the word begins with a vowel sound.
A university - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An umbrella - the word begins with a vowel sound.

How so, you ask? Why before the word university worth the article a? It's a vowel sound, after all!
Remember, it's not about spelling, it's about pronunciation. Look at the transcription of the word university: it starts with . And this is a consonant sound! Incidentally, in Russian th is a consonant sound.

Examples

The words in the table below begin with a consonant, so they are preceded by always the article is put a.

The words in the table below start with a vowel, so they are preceded by always the article is put an.

Note

Choice of article a or an affects the first sound of the word that immediately follows the article. Please note - the first word will not always be a noun!

Example

An umbrella - the vowel in the word umbrella
A black umbrella - a consonant in the word black
An hour - the vowel in the word hour
A whole hour - consonant sound in the word whole

Return to Grammar

Article in English- this is a service part of speech, which serves to express the category of certainty or indefiniteness of an object expressed by a noun.

Certainty means that an item is individualized, distinguished from all other items of this kind, and uncertainty is a more general reference to this type of item as a whole.

For example:

The boy has a ball.
The boy has a ball.

In this example, a certain specific, specific boy is meant, known to the reader from the context, and the word "ball" has more general meaning and denotes what type of item it has.

There are two articles in English: the definite the and indefinite a (an).

Examples of the use of articles in English

Both of them originated from significant parts of speech and partially retained their old meaning.

Definite articlethe derived from demonstrative pronoun that, hence its meaning of concreteness.

The old meaning can be traced in phrases such as:

at the time - at that time

of the kind - of the kind

Indefinite articlea derived from the numeral one, the meaning of which is clearly seen in the phrases:

not a word - not (one) word

a mile's walk - at a distance of (one) mile

a cup or two - (one) cup or two

The indefinite article in English has two variants - a and an. If the noun begins with a consonant sound, then the form is used a, if from a vowel - form an:

a tree[ ətri:] - wood

a worker [ ə wɜ:kə] - worker

a hero [ ə hiərəʊ] - hero

an apple [ ənæpl] - Apple

an engineer [ ən endʒiniə] - engineer

an hour [ ən aʊə] - hour

Zero article or its absence before a significant noun occurs in certain cases when using the plural, proper names, geographical names, uncountable and abstract nouns, etc.:

people - people

water - water

Europe - Europe

English articles in detail:

Further:

/ Online lessons / Articles

Articles in English.

English articles There are two types - a (an) and the.

The indefinite article in English a, an(the Indefinite Article) is only used before countable nouns in the singular:

A cup, a table, a pen

But,
an is only used before nouns that start with a vowel:

an apple, an exam, an interesting book

Uncountable nouns are used with a zero article, i.e. without article, or with an indefinite pronoun.

Milk milk (always plural)

some milk- milk (or some milk)

The indefinite article indicates that the object belongs to some class of homogeneous objects:

A gym, a horse

The Definite Article the (the Definite Article)in Englishused:

1. With nouns that have already been mentioned in the conversation, in a sentence

I have a dog.

The definite article the in English

The dog is funny.

I have a dog. dog funny.

2. With the names of oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges

The Black Sea, The Pacific Ocean, the Thamse…

But,
The article is not put at all before proper names:

England, Russia, London, Kiev, Mr. brown.

3. With the names of the four parts of the world

The South, the North, the Earth, the West

4. With objects or concepts that are one of a kind

The sun the moon the sky …

5. With nouns that denote an entire class or kind

The tiger is a wild animal

But,
The article is not put at all if the noun denotes a general meaning

life is good.

6. Before the surnames of persons in the plural, unless they denote a whole family

The Stevensons – The Stevensons Family

Remember the following frozen phrases:

In the morning
in the afternoon
in the evening
at night

As well as:

To go to bed
to go to work
to go to school
to go home
to come home
to leave home for work (for school) - go to work (school)
at half past five
at a quarter past five
after work - after work
from work - from work
after school - from school
to have (cook, make, prepare) breakfast
to have (cook, make, prepare) _ lunch(dinner supper, tea, coffee)
watch TV
to play chess
to play football
out of - something ended
to play the piano
to play the guitar
doors
in a loud voice - loud (speak)
in a low voice - quietly (speak)
in an angry voice - evil (speak)
in a thin voice - subtly (to speak)
in a___voice - voice (speak)

Articles in English are not used before the names of lakes, mountains, islands, continents, cities, countries.

Exceptions:

The United States of America
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
the Netherlands
the Crimea

Memorize the following frozen English phrases:

in the north
in the south
in the east
in the west
to the north
to the south
to the east
to the west

To have a good time - spend a good time

From morning till _ night - from morning to night

All day long - throughout the day

A lot of - a lot of

What's the use? - What's the use?

To the cinema
to the theater
to the shop
to the market
at the cinema
at the theater
at the shop
at the market
to go for a walk - go for a walk

Remember the following phrases frozen in English:

On _ horseback - on a horse
on_ shipboard - on board the ship
in_ fact - known, actually
the same - the same, the same

Remember the use of the article in exclamatory sentences beginning with the word "what":

What a good boy! What a long story! What a day!

Pay attention to the use of the article with the word other (other):

another- another (indefinite), some other, one more (in the plural or before an uncountable noun - other.)
the other- other (definite), that other, the other of the two.

After a while - after a while
from place to place - from place to place
It was morning
It was night
It was daytime
It was evening
at sunrise
at sunset
in the country - to the country
by bus, by tram, by train, by car - by bus, by tram, by train, by car
in town - to town
spring
summer
autumn
winter
the rest of the ... - the rest (s) ...
in a day
in a week
in a month
in a year
for life - for life
a great deal - excellent
deal! - agreed!

The indefinite article a, an (The Indefinite Article) is used only before countable nouns in the singular:

This is a tennis racket.

Uncountable nouns are used either without an article or with indefinite pronouns:

There is snow on the field.
There is some milk in the cup.

The indefinite article in English indicates that an object belongs to a class of homogeneous objects:

It is a gym. That is a horse with pommels.

The definite article the (The Definite Article) is used:

With nouns that have already been mentioned in the conversation, in a sentence

I see a ball. The ball is on the playground.

With the names of the four parts of the world

the South, the North, the West, the East

With the names of oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges

the Black Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Thames, the Urals

With objects or concepts that are one of a kind

the earth, the sun, the moon, the sky, the world, etc.

With nouns that are representatives of the entire class of homogeneous objects:

The tiger is a world animal.

Before the surnames of persons in the plural, if they mean the whole family:

The Browns are our best friends.

Definite article (the)

Articles cause a lot of difficulties, and not only because there is no analogue in Russian and nothing to compare with. And because in spite of certain value, there are many uses and exceptions to them.

8 rules for using the definite article in English

So, what is the point of the definite article the?

The definite article also defines a noun, indicating its specificity. Its roots grow from the demonstrative pronoun that, which, like the article the, points to something specific, precise, definite. Form one, pronunciation two.

Small features of the use of the article the

As with the indefinite, it all depends on the subsequent noun. So, if there is a consonant at the beginning of a word, then the is pronounced like [ðƏ], and if it is a vowel or mute h, then -[ði]. Very often, the definite article in English is replaced by possessive pronouns, if it is important to indicate to whom this or that object, person, etc. belongs. In some cases, it is replaced by its progenitors - demonstrative pronouns - this, that, these, those. Sometimes, even if the sentence is written the, then in Russian it sounds like “this, that, those”.

The day was very interesting and full of emotions. — The day was very interesting and full of emotions.

My day was very interesting and full of emotions.

— My day was very interesting and full of emotions.

When is the article the used?

Almost any noun in English must be followed. The use of the article the has a number of cases that need to be remembered.

1. If the subject one of a kind (the earth, the sky, the sun , the Taj Mahal) and there are no more analogues, then we put the. The same is true with the subject the only one in the environment . For example, sitting in a room, you ask to close the door, the one that is there.

Look at the moon! It is shining brightly. - Look at the moon. She shines bright.

Close the door, please. - Close the door, please.

2. With nouns, in the function of circumstance (where something is located: in a garden, in a city, meaning a specific garden or city), the definite article is also used. By using the article the, you specify.

It was very dark in the room. — The room was very dark.

They are working in the field. — They work in the garden.

3. With nouns, denoting a certain amount, in a certain place.

The snow is dirty. - The snow is dirty (just in some place, because in general it is clean, white)

Give me the water, please. - Give me some water, please. (Not all water, but a certain amount, for example, to drink)

4. If the offer contains "Appendix", giving additional information about the person, and if the popularity of this character is emphasized, then we put the.

Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed. Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed.

5. After the words one of, some of, many of, each of, most of, both, all.

All the newspapers were sold out. All newspapers were sold out.

Show me one of the dresses. Show me one of the dresses.

Each of the women have children. Every woman has children.

6. Before superlative adjectives, before words the same, the following, the next (meaning next in order), the last (last) , before ordinal numbers.

It is the most interesting article I have ever read. — This is the most interesting article I have ever read.

The last week was very tiring. “The last week has been very exhausting.

She took the next ticket. She took the next ticket.

7. Before substantiated adjectives, participles, before the word people in the meaning of the people.

The rich have a happy life. The rich have a happy life.

The Soviet people won the war. The Soviet people won the war.

8. Before words denoting social classes of people.

The workers have a small salary. The workers have low wages.

9. Usually, the article is not used before proper names. But there are exceptions that we will consider. For example, before names denoting the whole family as a whole.

The Makarny have a big house. — The Macarnis (the Macarnis) have a big house.

10. Before titles some countries, where there are the words republic, kingdom, states, union, federation, before the names that are in the plural: the Netherlands, The Philippines, the Baltic States.

The Czech Republic is situated in the center of Europe. — The Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe.

She has just come from the United States of America. She has just arrived from the United States of America.

11. Before titles rivers, seas, oceans, straits, canals, currents, lakes (if the composition does not contain the word lake).

The Pacific Ocean is the greatest ocean in the world. — The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.

The Baikal is in Siberia. — Baikal in Siberia. (But: Lake Baikal)

12. Before titles deserts, mountain ranges, island groups (in the only - without).

We are going to climb the Alps. We are going to climb the Alps.

When I was traveling around the world I was in the Sahara. — when I traveled the world, I was in the Sahara.

13. Before the names of the four cardinal points: the south, the north, the east, the west, poles, regions, ships.

He has lived in the west since 1967. - He has lived in the west since 1967.

My parents went on board the Star. My parents came on the steamer Star.

14. Before titles museums, cinemas, clubs, galleries, restaurants, monuments, names of English (American) newspapers (with the exception of "Today"), hotels.

I try to read the Morning Star every day. I try to read Morning Star every day.

I would like to put up in the National. — I would like to stay at the National Hotel.

Of course, remembering right away when the article the is put is quite difficult. It's all a matter of practice. But remember one truth: before common nouns, if something specific is indicated, you understand what subject is being discussed, then feel free to put the. And the use of proper names still have to learn.

The indefinite article is used when you mention something for the first time or when you want to say: "some one", "any", "one of".

Use of the indefinite article a (an)

Article a (an) is only used before singular countable nouns - i.e. in front of those where you can mentally say one.

Countable nouns are those that can be counted. For example, books, trees, dogs, etc.

In the plural, the indefinite article is not used.

1. At the first mention

I've seen a new film. The film is called Slumdog Millionaire. - I saw a new movie. It's called Slumdog Millionaire.

This is a classic example: when first mentioned, the article is used. a, with repeated - article the.

2. General situation (some one, some, any)

It's about something in general, not about something specific.

Example

I'd like to buy a dress. - I want to buy a dress.
This is not about a particular dress, but about a dress.

And if you said:
I'd like to buy the dress - this would mean that you do not mean some unknown dress, but a specific dress, this.

3. We are talking about a representative isolated from a number of the same type

Example

Ludwig van Beethoven was a great composer. - Ludwig van Beethoven was a great composer.

Those. one of the great composers. If we put here instead of the article a article the, this would mean that Beethoven - the only one the greatest composer in the world. But that's not the case. There are many great composers, and Beethoven is only one of them.

The difference between the article a and an

Article a used before words that begin with a consonant, and the article an- from a vowel.

Examples

A book - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An apple - the word begins with a vowel sound.

It seems that everything is simple and clear? Yes, but there are more complex situations. Please note - from a consonant (vowel) sound, not letters.

Examples

A house - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An hour - the word begins with a vowel sound.
A university - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An umbrella - the word begins with a vowel sound.

How so, you ask? Why before the word university worth the article a? It's a vowel sound, after all! Remember, it's not about spelling, it's about pronunciation. Look at the transcription of the word university: it starts with . And this is a consonant sound! Incidentally, in Russian th is a consonant sound.

Examples

The words in the table below begin with a consonant, so they are preceded by always the article is put a.

The words in the table below start with a vowel, so they are preceded by always the article is put an.

Note

Choice of article a or an affects the first sound of the word that immediately follows the article. Please note - the first word will not always be a noun!

Example

An umbrella - the vowel in the word umbrella
A black umbrella - a consonant in the word black
An hour - the vowel in the word hour
A whole hour - consonant sound in the word whole

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 the 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" is used in cases where 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 in both the singular and the 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

The names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountains (mountains) and islands in English are usually used with a 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