Scribd
Upload
125 views2 pages

Using Articles: Summary

This document discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles (the). The definite article "the" is used to refer to specific or particular nouns, while the indefinite article "a/an" is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. For example, "Let's read the book" refers to a specific book, while "Let's read a book" refers to any book. The document then provides further examples and explanations of when to use indefinite versus definite articles.

Uploaded by

Anonymous zsBCtskz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
125 views2 pages

Using Articles: Summary

This document discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles (the). The definite article "the" is used to refer to specific or particular nouns, while the indefinite article "a/an" is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. For example, "Let's read the book" refers to a specific book, while "Let's read a book" refers to any book. The document then provides further examples and explanations of when to use indefinite versus definite articles.

Uploaded by

Anonymous zsBCtskz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Using Articles

Summary:

This handout discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles
(the).

Contributors:Paul Lynch, Allen Brizee, Elizabeth Angeli


Last Edited: 2018-02-14 03:18:17

What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.

English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is
used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the
indefinite article.

the = definite article

a/an = indefinite article

For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book,"
I mean any book rather than a specific book.

Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a
group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year." There are many movies, but
only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the.

"A/an" is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, "I
would like to go see a movie." Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. We're talking
about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific
one in mind.

Let's look at each kind of article a little more closely.

Indefinite Articles: a and an

"A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For
example:

 "My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas." This refers to any dog. We don't know
which dog because we haven't found the dog yet.
 "Somebody call a policeman!" This refers to any policeman. We don't need a specific
policeman; we need any policeman who is available.
 "When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!" Here, we're talking about a single, non-
specific thing, in this case an elephant. There are probably several elephants at the zoo,
but there's only one we're talking about here.
Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...

 a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
 an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an
orphan
 a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e.
begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle
 an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour
 a + nouns starting with a pronounced "h": a horse
o In some cases where "h" is pronounced, such as "historical," you can use an.
However, a is more commonly used and preferred.

A historical event is worth recording.

Remember that these rules also apply when you use acronyms:

Introductory Composition at Purdue (ICaP) handles first-year writing at the University.


Therefore, an ICaP memo generally discusses issues concerning English 106 instructors.

You might also like