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Article a in English rules. The article THE before an adjective and pronoun

Hello my wonderful readers!

You can probably guess what word English speech the most commonly used, right? Of course it is article "the". And today we will analyze where its use is in English language appropriate and where not. We will study the rules for its use, look at numerous examples, and analyze a table with set expressions that you can always have at hand. And then you can go to and to consolidate everything you've learned here.

Go ahead, friends!

A little grammar

If the article “a” (more about it!) is used only with nouns that can be counted, then “the” is used with all nouns: and in singular and plural; with both countable and uncountable objects .

By the way, the pronunciation of the article also changes depending on which letter the next word begins with. If the word begins with a consonant, then the article is pronounced as [ðə], for example the banana - banana. But if an object begins with a vowel, it is pronounced like [ði], for example, the apple - apple.

When to use

If in speech or writing subject already mentioned, then in the future you can use this article with it.

I received an e-mail from my friends. The letter told me that they would visit me on the weekend.- I received a letter from my friends. The letter said that they would visit me on the weekend.

With unique items that are one of a kind, we also use the - the sun, the moon, the Earth.

The moon today is extremely beautiful.- The moon is incredibly beautiful today.

The article has a special relationship with geographical names. With names rivers, deserts, oceans, island groups and mountain ranges We can confidently use the article, but we must not forget about exceptions. I talk about them in great detail.

The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.- The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.

The Comoro Islands attract lots of tourists every year.- The Comoros Islands attract many tourists every year.

With titles hotels, cinemas, ships, museums, galleries and newspapers We most often also use the definite article.

The Hilton hotel is about to open in our city.- A Hilton hotel is about to open in our city.

The Louvre is the most attended museum in Europe.- The Louvre is the most visited museum in Europe.

With adjectives of the highest degree of comparison: the most, the best, the worst.

The most beautiful place I’ve ever been is Japan in spring.- The most a nice place the best I've ever seen is Japan in the spring.

The best books I’ve ever read were about Harry Potter.- The best books I have read are Harry Potter.

With musical tools and names dancing.

The violin is my most beloved musical instrument.- The violin is my favorite musical instrument.

The contemporary has become very popular among dancers some years ago.- Contempo became very popular among dancers several years ago.

When not to use

Knowing when the definite article is used is extremely important, but it is also equally important to know when it is used. Not used.

WITH plural nouns that can't be counted when we tell something general.

Trees produce oxygen.- Trees produce oxygen. (Any trees, in general)

With names own and before names we never use it.

Jinny is very talented. She can play 3 different musical instruments.- Ginny is very talented. She can play three different instruments.

With titles countries, cities, streets, parks, mountains, lakes, bridges and islands we try to avoid it.

Spain is mostly famous for its football club Barcelona. - Spain is mainly known for its football club Barcelona.

I dream of climbing Everest.- I dream of climbing Everest.

With names sports, activities, games, colors, days, months, drinks, lunches he's not friendly.

I can speak Turkish a little.- I can speak a little Turkish.

I was born in July. - I was born in July.

My favorite color is green. - Green is my favorite color.

If we have pronouns this, that, those- We Not we use "the". In addition, with possessive We also do not use pronouns (and the possessive case in general!).

This the ball was signed by a famous football player.- This ball was signed by a famous football player.

Kathy's dress is ready. I've already cleaned it.- Casey's dress is ready. I cleaned it yesterday.

With words school, church, hospital, college, university, court, prison we use it or we don't use it depending on the meaning. Let's see an example:

I go to school from Monday to Friday.- I go to school from Monday to Friday. (as a student)

My mother went to the school for a meeting. - My mother went to school for a meeting. (As a parent, not as a student)

With titles diseases we can also use or do not use article.

I've got (the) flu. - I got sick.

Set expressions

Both the and a form stable expressions that cannot be changed in any way. So let's get to know them (By the way, if you need general information about articles in the English language, then you).

I am sure that now that you have a hint in the form of a table and structured rules in your hands, it will be much easier for you to master the ones that I have prepared for you. And after them you can move on. Practice as much as possible, study, learn new rules and improve your English.

And I’m ready to help you with this. The materials on my blog are constantly updated, and my subscribers receive them even before they appear on the site. I’m waiting for you there to share important materials with the very first.

And for today I say goodbye.

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.

Basic 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 a given context).
The Australian Prime Minister(= he is the only one)
I looked inside - the engine was in a terrible state.(V 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.

is 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 articles. You just need to remember them. 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 problems 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 typical for only one person, it is used the .

He is having conversations with the French foreign minister.(= he is the only one)

In general, everything here complies with the basic rules.

Superlative

The used for superlative adjectives.

She's the best person for the job.

last and next

These adjectives can be used with articles 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 intended for a specific purpose (study, get treatment, 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 marks of 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 tenses are used without an article.

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

Place names

The 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 to.
North west India, Northern Europe

But:
in the east of the country, in the south of Italy, on 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 that you complete Lessons 76 -78 of this English Grammar section (if you have not already done so).

Now let's test your General Knowledge.

Texts for this lesson Not belong to the "Beginners" category, so if you have difficulty completing them, then you can limit yourself to only the theory of this lesson, applying it to texts of your level.

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

Exercise 2. Fill in the correct articles in place of the blanks.

Count how many correct answers you got in % (there were 50 answers in total). If it is 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 errors, if any, in the sentences. (there is no need to rewrite the entire sentence).

She was determined to be 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.

Articles are the main determiners of names nouns. Before using any noun, you need to decide whether it is definite or indefinite, i.e. you need to imagine what kind of subject we are talking about: a specific one or any one.

In English, an article is almost always used before nouns:

Articles a And an are called uncertain article (the Indefinite Article)
The is called certain the Definite Article

Let's consider three cases: when the indefinite article is used before the noun, when the definite article is used, and when the article is not used before the noun.

Indefinite article

There are two types Not definite article:

a- used before words beginning with a consonant.
an- used before words starting with a vowel.

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

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

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

Definite article

The definite article has a single form: the. Individualizing article the derived from the demonstrative pronoun that- That.

Absence of article: zero article

No indefinite article

The indefinite article is not used:

before plural nouns
an article - articles

abstract nouns
imagination - imagination
nouns we are 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 a noun, then the article is placed before this definition:
a 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 type of object, but does not specifically highlight it.

a table - any table (namely a table, not a chair)
a chair - 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 meaning means: any, everyone.

A cow gives milk.
Any cow 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 pair
a little - a little
a few - several

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

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

Use of the definite article

Definite article is posed if the object 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
The chair is at the table - the chair is near the table

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

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

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

2. Clear in the situation, when 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 the sign :
This is the house that Jack built. - This is the house that Jack built
3.2. Definition, expressed as an 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 as an ordinal number
He missed the first lecture. — He missed the first lecture
3.4. Definition, expressed by proper noun
the Bristol road - the road to Bristol.
3.5. Definitions, expressed in words:
The stop next is ours. - The next stop is ours.

4. Before singular nouns:

the sun - the sun
the moon - moon
the Earth - Earth
the floor - floor (one in the room)
the sea - 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 article (zero article)

1. If there is a pronoun before a 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 the following cases:

2.1. when in 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 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 strength, 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 that express a type of quality or state can be used with the indefinite article.
He got a good education. He received a good education.

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

Rules for using the pronoun some

If one of the words can be placed in front of a Russian noun: several, a certain amount, some, some, the corresponding noun in an English sentence is preceded by the pronoun some (any).
If none of these words can be placed before a Russian noun, then there is no determiner before the corresponding noun in an English sentence.

I bought some apples yesterday - I bought apples yesterday (several, a certain number of apples)

Articles in English indicate the definiteness or indeterminacy of a noun, in other words, it makes us understand what object/concept we are talking about: abstract or concrete. For a Russian-speaking person, articles cause many difficulties, because in our language they simply do not exist. However, dealing with this unknown part of speech is not as difficult as it seems.

Functions of the article

The English language has only two articles: a (an) and the - the first is used with indefinite nouns, and the second with definite nouns. In order to better understand where and which one to put, it is necessary to consider each separately.

The indefinite article in English

Let's start with the indefinite article a (an). Its spelling changes depending on which letter (consonant or vowel) the noun begins with, which will be preceded by the article.

Consonant letter: a dog - dog
Vowel: an apple - apple

The indefinite article has two features:

used only when talking about an abstract concept or an object that is seen for the first time;
is used with nouns only in the singular, since the article itself comes from the numeral one (one).

The article a (an) indicates that the noun is considered not as a specific object, but as a spatial concept. For example, a cup will mean some (any) piece of tableware in the form of a cup, and not your favorite cup in the shape of a stormtrooper’s head from which you have been drinking coffee in the morning for the second year now. Thus, the indefinite article in English is used either when we encounter an object for the first time, and we still know nothing about it, or when we are talking about an abstract, collective concept.

The definite article in English

If you wanted to mention that very special morning cup in a conversation, you will need the definite article the. It comes from the pronoun that (that) and is used in cases where it is known exactly what object we are talking about.

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Example: I met a man. The man was very strange - I met a man. The man was very strange.

In the first sentence we meet a stranger for the first time, in this case the indefinite article is placed before the word man. In the second sentence, we make a conclusion about the person we just talked about. He has ceased to be unknown, which allows us to put the definite article the in front of the word man.

The definite article the can be used with both singular and plural nouns.

To finally understand the definite article, we can consider another example - The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Here, within the same name, the definite article is used twice. This is due to the fact that in both cases we're talking about about specific objects: about one single ruler (Sauron) and about the only rings created by him. If the concept “Lord of the Rings” meant a profession, then we could say a lord of rings, but that would be a completely different story.

Zero article, or when the article is not needed at all

The main difficulty in learning English articles is to remember in which cases they should not be used.

A noun does not always require additional clarification in the form of articles - sometimes other parts of speech take on their role. Articles are not used if:

the noun is preceded by a pronoun (my, his, her, their, one’s, this, that, etc.);
the nouns are preceded by the words some, any, no;
names of people or names of continents, islands, mountains;
uncountable concept (advice, information).

Visual table about articles

As a rule, information is absorbed faster if you consider it in the form of a systematic table. We have prepared this table for your convenience.

Indefinite article a/an	The definite article the	No article
We are talking about one item out of many similar ones. an apple - (some kind of) apple a cow - (some kind of) cow	It is known exactly what specific object we are talking about the apple - (the same) apple the cow - (the same) cow	The noun is preceded by a pronoun (my, his, her, their, one’s, this, that, etc.) my apple - my apple this cow - this cow
The object is mentioned for the first time I met a man - I met (some) person	We are talking about the only object in the world the Earth - Earth	Nouns are preceded by the words some, any, no any piece - any piece
Designation of professions a doctor - doctor an engineer - engineer	There is an ordinal or superlative before a noun the second floor - second floor the best singer - the best singer	Before names of people or geographic features such as continents, islands, and mountain peaks Mary - Mary Eurasia - Eurasia Tasmania - Tasmania (island) Mount Everest - Mount Everest
	Before geographical names of countries formed using common nouns(like their abbreviations) The Russian Federation (The RF) — Russian Federation(RF) The United States of America (The USA) The United Kingdom(The UK) - United Kingdom The United Arab Emirates (The UAE)	Before the names of countries, peninsulas Canada Spain - Spain Kamchatka - Kamchatka (peninsula)
	Before geographical names of countries in the plural The Netherlands The Philippines - Philippines	If the word lake precedes the name of the lake, the names of the bays Lake Baikal - Lake Baikal Bounty Bay
	Before the names of oceans and seas The Volga - Volga (river) The Caribbean sea The Atlantic Ocean - Atlantic Ocean	We are talking about an uncountable concept information - information knowledge - knowledge
	Designation of cardinal directions the east - East the quest — West

Figuring out when and how to use articles is quite simple. But in order to remember these rules and not think every time before pronouncing or writing another noun, you definitely need practice.

Many foreign languages have such a concept as an article. Starting to study grammar with this topic would be a good option for those who want to know English. The article (the rule of use will help you understand the question) is a functional part of speech in the English language. It shows certainty or uncertainty. Below in the text are the rules for its use 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 object that is more individualized and stands out from others in some way. And indefinite 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 specific girl who is already familiar to the reader and she was previously mentioned in the text, but the word “dog” is more general, what kind of 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 a shortened form of the word that (that, that), which is why it carries such a specific meaning.

Comes from the word one (someone, some).

Definite article

In English, the definite article has two functions: the first of them is specifying, and the other is generalizing. And this part of speech is used if a person knows exactly what object is being discussed, or if this object is unique.

The definite article in a specific meaning

It is used if one item stands out from the entire set, it has some excellent parameters, it stands out due to a unique case, context. Before adjectives in

He is the best player in our team./He 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 a definite article.

It is the worst day in my life./This is the worst day in my life.

The definite article in its general meaning

Generalizing - when a noun can be attributed to a whole type of object.

Examples include the German Shepherd - the double coat is straight, and short length./For example, the German Shepherd. The coat has two characteristics: straight and short.

Here we are talking about all dogs belonging to a specific breed.

Omitted if replaced by a possessive pronoun.

She sure had some love for her German Shepards./She definitely loves her German Shepherds.

If you can put the word “this” in front of a noun.

The hotel also features easy access to the several subway stations./The hotel (this hotel) is also easily accessible from several subway stations.

When indicating the era, significant events.

The First World War./First World War.

Before uncountable nouns, only if we are talking about a certain volume substances.

And then the farmer has to find another way to deliver the juice./Then the farmer will have to find another way to produce juice.

Before the names of body parts.

The hand/hand.

Before social classes and strata of society.

The police./Police officers.

The definite article with proper names and some names

The table below will help you better understand how to use articles with proper names and some names. All the words below must be preceded by the definite article the.

Proper names	Examples
Rivers	the Nakdong
Newspaper names	the Washington Post
Geographical names	the North Pole
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
Deserts	the Bolivian
Names of reservoirs	the Black Sea
Vessel 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 also placed before it in the plural.

You can bring the ball with, if you want./If you want, take the ball with you.

You can bring the balls with, if you want./If you want, take the balls with you.

Also, the article remains before the plural if we are talking about a group as a whole.

The members of Golf club can breathe fresh air./Members of the golf club can breathe fresh air. (Everyone can breathe fresh air).

Indefinite article a (an)

Use “a” 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.

Exceptions to the rule:

the article "a" is always placed before words that begin with the letter "u" if it is pronounced as /ju:/ (English is a universal language);
before the words “one”, “ones” the article “a” is always used (a one-parent family);
If abbreviations begin with a consonant, but are read with a vowel (F is pronounced like /ef/), then the indefinite article “an” (an FBI agent) is always used before them.

Classifying, generalizing and numeral meaning of the indefinite article

In expressive sentences, in exclamatory sentences that begin with the word what, the indefinite article is used.

What a great!/How 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 generalizing meaning for an entire class, type, layer, etc., then an indefinite article is placed before it. Most often, such a noun appears 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./Newspaper text is a laconic and relevant essay.

In numeral meaning, the article denotes its original meaning- one.

I can stay in Paris for only a day./I could stay in Paris for just 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 proposal the particle takes its usual place).

The indefinite article a (an). Plural

Articles that are used before nouns in the singular 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 names and articles 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 common nouns

You think, I am a Leonardoda Vinci?/Do you think I am Leonardo da Vinci?

point to individual family members

It is no wonder; in fact, she is a Smith./No wonder, because she is Smith.

describe the position of a place or object

We saw a rebuild Rome./We saw Rome rebuilt.

In addition, there are stable expressions that, regardless of the context, never change and always remain in their place. You just need to learn these phrases:

a few/several, 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. Cases where the article is omitted have already been mentioned in the article. Let's look at a few more typical rules.

If the nouns are preceded by the 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 the noun.

I do not like Peter./I don’t like Peter.

Before titles, titles.

Lord Green./Lord Green.

Exercises on articles

To consolidate the acquired knowledge, you need to do several exercises. Then check your answers with the keys and analyze the errors. For example, you can do the task below.

Fill in 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 fireworks.

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: