Articles in English Grammar | Definite and Indefinite Articles

Articles in English Grammar ('a', 'an', 'the')

In this topic, we will learn about the articles in English grammar and their usage. Let us also discuss its types, various examples, and worksheets of definite and indefinite articles. We will also discuss how to teach articles in English grammar to kids in an easy and fun way.

ARTICLES IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Articles Definition in English grammar

Articles are the words that are used before a noun to represent whether the noun refers to a specific or general thing. There are two different types of articles in English grammar. They are

Definite article
Indefinite articles

The 3 articles in English grammar are 'a', 'an', and 'the'.

Indefinite articles ('a', 'an')

If the noun is not specific or general then it is known as an indefinite article. The letters 'a' and 'an' are the indefinite articles. It is used only before the singular nouns. The indefinite articles take two forms and they are

'a' ( used when followed by a noun that begins with a constant sound)

'an' (used when followed by a noun which begins with a vowel sound)

The vowel sounds are represented by the letters a, e, i, o, and u. We will learn more about vowel sounds in a separate chapter. Let us see some examples of indefinite articles used in the context:

Example 1:

I need a car.

In the above example, we use the article 'a'. It shows that the person doesn't need a specific car. He can have any car. Since the noun, 'car' is a constant sound we use the article 'a'.

Example 2:

I went on an airplane to Oman.

In the above example, we use the article 'an'. It shows that the person doesn't need a specific airplane. Since the noun 'airplane' is a vowel sound we use the article 'an'.

The definite article ('the')

If the noun is specific or definite then it is known as a definite article. The word 'the' is a definite article. It can be used before the singular, plural, and uncountable nouns. The definite article refers to one particular thing. Let us see some examples of the definite articles used in the context:

Example 1:

I need the red small pen which was used by Ram.

In the above example, we use the article 'the'. It shows that the person refers to the specific pen. It is very clear that the person needs the red color pen.

Example 2:

The books on the table are very interesting.

In the above example, we use the article 'the'. It shows that the person refers to the specific books on the table. It is used before the plural nouns in this example.

Exceptions in articles of English grammar

There are some exceptions in the use of definite and indefinite articles. Generally, we won't use the articles before the names, the countries, and the meals. The common rule of using the article 'a' before the words that start with consonants and the article 'an' before the words that start with a vowel. But in few cases, we use 'an' instead of 'a' and vice-versa. we will see the example for the above exception.

Example 1:

Ravi is a honest person. (Incorrect)

Ravi is an honest person. (Correct)

In the above example, the first letter of the word "honest" is a consonant but it is pronounced with a vowel sound, so we use 'an' instead of 'a'.

Example 2:

He is a United States ambassador. (Incorrect)

He is a United States ambassador. (Correct)

In the above example, the first letter of the word "United" is a vowel but it is pronounced with a consonant sound, so we use 'a' instead of 'an'.

Example 3:

Please give me a juice. (Incorrect)

Please give me some juice. (Correct)

In the above example, the word "juice" is not a countable noun. So it should not be used with the indefinite articles.

Example 4:

Please give me a cup of juice. (Correct)

In the above example, the juice is described in terms of countable units (like a cup, a bottle). So, here we can use an indefinite article.

Example 5:

Geeta had prepared a lunch for me. (Incorrect)

Geeta had prepared lunch for me. (Correct)

Anu studied the Hindi as a second language in school. (Incorrect)

Anu studied Hindi as a second language in school. (Correct)

I went to the India. (Incorrect)

I went to India. (Correct)

I like to play the football. (Incorrect)

I like to play football. (Correct)

The Tamil is my mother tongue. (Incorrect)

Tamil is my mother tongue. (Correct)

In the above example, the article is omitted. This is known as the Zero article. The articles are omitted before the languages, nationalities, meals, sports, academic subjects, and the countries. The articles are omitted in the following:

Proper nouns, names of people, places (Example: Robert, Anu, India. Few Exceptions:: the West Indies, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, The Hague and the Netherlands.

Names of languages: Tamil, English, Kannada, Hindi, French

Names of games: Football, Baseball, Cricket, Kabadi

Sample Worksheet of articles in English Grammar 1: (Answers at the bottom)

He has ……..book.
He has done……..excellent job.
He picked up….. apple from the basket.
Anu is ……. intelligent girl.
I saw …….lion in the forest.
He underwent…… operation recently.
I need……..red chair.
I would like to be…….. Member of this club.
Susan is ……. beautiful girl.
We played hockey in .......playground.

Worksheet 2 (Answers at the bottom)

Lakshadweep is .........island.
I have bought........ house
Anu met me ........year ago.
He wants ........ oranges to prepare juice.
He wants ........ orange to eat for breakfast.
This is…... united community.
She used to work as………. engineer.
India is one of …….most populous countries in the world.
These are ……. apples which I bought yesterday.
He is not ……… honest person.
Honest men speak……… truth.
……….sun shines brightly.
I have ........pencil to write the exams.
I reached the airport after ……. hour.
She met me …… year ago

Sample Worksheet 1 ( Answers)

He has a book.
He has done an excellent job.
He picked up an apple from the basket.
Anu is an intelligent girl.
I saw a lion in the forest.
He underwent an operation recently.
I need the red chair.
I would like to be a member of this club.
Susan is a beautiful girl.
We played hockey in a playground.

Worksheet 2 (Answers)

Lakshadweep is an island.
I have bought a house
Anu met me a year ago.
He wants the oranges to prepare juice.
He wants an orange to eat for breakfast.
This is a united community.
She used to work as an engineer.
India is one of the most populous countries in the world.
These are the apples which I bought yesterday.
He is not an honest person.
Honest men speak the truth.
The sun shines brightly.
I have a pencil to write the exams.
I reached the airport after an hour.
She met me a year ago

Final Note

I hope this article gives you a better idea about articles in English grammar and also about definite and indefinite articles.' Momovators' is always and forever to assist you in education, parenting, and fitness. In case you have queries on the above topic, please comment below.