Using Articles
What Is the Issue?
Article use is difficult to explain because, although there are guidelines, the rules are not consistent. If, however, articles are used incorrectly, sentences become choppy and hard to follow. The following are a few guidelines to remember in trying to master the use of articles.
Definite articles: "The" is more specific than "a/an."
1. "The" can be used before both singular and plural nouns:
- Singular: The girl laughed uncontrollably.
- Plural: The girls laughed uncontrollably.
2. Use "the" if there exists in the world only one of the nouns to which you are referring.
- The car in my driveway
- The barking dog next door
- The damaged apartment
- The invaded country
3. Use "the" if you have already mentioned the noun using "a/an" and want to refer back to it.
- A girl came with me. The girl was my cousin.
4. Use "the" before an abbreviation in which you say all the letters.
- The U.S., the U.N., the F.B.I.,
5. Also use "the" when you write out the abbreviation.
- The United States
- The United Nations
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation
6. However, do not use "the" before abbreviations that are pronounced as words.
7. But, do use "the" when these abbreviations are written out.
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
- The North American Free Trade Agreement
Indefinite articles: "A/an" is more general than "the."
1. "A/an" can only be used before singular nouns.
2. Use "a/an" if there exists in the world more than just one of the nouns to which you are referring.
- A dog can be a great pet
- An octopus has tentacles
3. Also, when using "a/an," remember to
- Use "a" when the word following begins with a consonant sound.
- Use "an" when the word following begins with a vowel sound.
- Also, if the word following begins with an h, "an" is often used.
No articles: there are many times when articles are not necessary
1. Don't use an article when referring to all members of a group.
- Dogs are domestic animals.
- Mary likes cats.
2. Don't use any article when referring to an indefinite number of members in a group.
- Leaves are beginning to fall
- English majors usually enjoy literature
Let's Practice:
(Write the appropriate article in the blank. If no article is necessary, leave blank.)
1. ______ guy that came with me to ______ party was my fiancé.
2. ______ man can be just as good of a nurse as _____ woman.
3. ______ women can be great engineers.
4. While on their hike, they could hear _____ rumble of ___ nearby waterfall.
5. ______ children playing in my yard yell constantly.
Answers: 1) The; 2) A; 3) no article; 4) The/a; 5) The