Articles

Articles are actually adjectives because they describe the nouns that they precede. In English, there are only three articles: the, a, and an. However, the three are not interchangeable; rather, they are used in specific instances.

‘a’, ‘an, and ‘the’ are called articles.

a/an = indefinite articles.

E.g. I saw a girl. (any girl).

I ate an orange.

The = definite article.

E.g. I met the teacher. (the particular teacher).

A/an is used before vowels and before letters with a vowel sound.

E.g. An egg. An hour.

It is used:

1.   Before a singular countable noun.

E.g. I found a pen.

2.   In the original sense of meaning one, or with some numbers to mean one.

E.g. A stitch in time saves nine. A litre, a dollar, a thousand.

3.   In the sense of any. (when an individual is meant to represent a class/group)

E.g. A student should work hard.

4.   In exclamations before singular countable nouns.

E.g. What a cute child!

5.   When we imply that a person, whose name we use with a title is unknown to us.

E.g. A Mr. Karma has applied for the post.

A Dr. Sonam wishes to speak to you.

6.   With names of occupations.

E.g. She’ll be a dancer.

He studied to be an engineer.

Omission of the article a/an

a/an is omitted:

1. When a noun is the name of a meal.

E.g. We had breakfast rather late today.

But the article is used when it is a special meal.

E.g. I’m invited to a dinner given to welcome the new Minister.

2. Before uncountable nouns.

E.g. Sand is used in making glass. The bag is made of paper.

‘The’ is used:

1.   Before any nouns whether singular or plural countable and uncountable noun and before a singular countable noun which represents a whole class of things.

E.g. Anil dropped the pen.

The children were not at home.

My favorite flower is the rose.

2.   Before nouns that are unique and one in the Universe.

E.g. The sun

The Equator

In the east, etc

3.   With superlative adjectives.

E.g. She told him the latest news.

He is the tallest boy in the class.

4.   Before adjectives used as nouns.

E.g. It is the duty of the young to support the old.

5.   Before certain proper nouns or nouns referring to geographical places.

E.g. The Indian Ocean.

The United States.

6.   Before proper nouns when one is talking about a family or people of a nation.

E.g. The Dawa family have shifted to their new house.

The Spaniards lives in Spain.

7.   Before comparative constructions.

E.g. He is the younger of the two boys.

The more it rains, the worse the roads will become.

8.   Before a proper noun when it is qualified by an adjective.

E.g. The immortal Tagore.

9.   Before certain expression of time.

E.g. The day before

In the evening.

Omission of ‘the’

the is not used;

1.   Before the names of languages.

E.g. I’m learning to speak Tshangla.

He studied Dzongkha.

2.   For means of travel.

E.g. By air

By bus.

But when we are more specific, the article is used.

E.g. He has to catch the morning train.

3. Before names of games.

E.g. He plays football.

4. Before abstract nouns except when they are used in a particular sense.

E.g. Men fear death.

But we say - The death of his father adversely affected him.

5. Before plural nouns used for a whole class.

E.g. Cars have become very expensive. Ex. Elephants are quite intelligent.

7.   Before the names of meals.

E.g. We had porridge for breakfast.

8.   In certain idiomatic phrases.

E.g. The farmer worked hard by day and slept in peace by night.

9.   When places are visited or used for their primary purpose. E.g. People go to church to pray.

We go to school to study.

But when these places are visited or used for other specific purpose, ‘the’ is used.

Eg. He went to the church to meet the priest.

She went to the school to pay her son’s fees.

Repetition of articles

Eg.

The Principal and the Secretary were present.

We have a black and a white cat.

The learned, the eloquent, and the patriotic leader is no more.

Napoleon was a general, a statesman, an orator and a mathematician.

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Notes prepared/compiled by Madam Sonam Yuden, who is currently working as an English teacher in Changangkha Middle Secondary School, Thimphu Thromde.
Authorized usage for educational purposes only.