In English, unlike Russian, special words are widely used - articles. The article and the rules for its use in English are presented below in examples to facilitate the perception of the necessary material. There are two articles in English - the definite the and indefinite a (an) . The article is usually only placed before nouns. The indefinite article applies exclusively to singular countable nouns, while the definite article can be applied to various singular and plural nouns, whether or not they are countable.
First, let's remember in which cases the article is not used. The article is not used if the noun is preceded by (one, two, six, etc), a possessive or (this, that, my, our etc.), another possessive noun (my father's, Mary's etc), or the negation of "no" (not not!). Examples:
- My room is not big, but comfortable - My room is small but comfortable.
- There are two boys in the yard - there are two boys in the yard.
- I have no brother - I don't have a brother.
Google shortcode
Note: if a noun in the possessive case performs the function of an adjective, the use of the article is possible, for example: Paul is a man's name(male name). Paula is a woman's name(woman's name). It's a children's bicycle(children bicycle).
The article is not used with uncountable nouns denoting an indefinite amount of a substance or an abstract concept:
- I don't like tea, I prefer coffee. I don't like tea, I prefer coffee Tea coffee- generally)
- Friendship is one of the most important things in my life. Friendship is one of the most important things in my life (friendship is an abstract concept)
The article is not used with the names of sports:
- I am fond of football, and my sister prefers badminton. — I love football, but my sister prefers badminton.
Also, the article is not used with proper names (except for some geographical names, which will be discussed below).
Indefinite article "a"
The indefinite article is "a" / "an" - this is not an independent article, but a form of the indefinite, which is used before nouns that begin with a vowel sound: an apple, an orange.
- The forms a and an are remnants of the Old English word for "one", so The indefinite article is only used with singular nouns.
The indefinite article is used in the following cases:
- The first time an item is mentioned. For example, I live in a house.
- When designating a profession or occupation. For example, She is a teacher. My friend is a student.
- After: This is, That is, It is, There is. For example, This is a computer. There is a rose in the vase.
- If an adjective characterizing it is used with a noun, in such cases the article is placed before the adjective. Example: This is a flower. This is a red flower.
- Remember the use of the indefinite article in the following types of sentences
— What a beautiful color!
— What a tasty cake!
— What a good girl!
The definite article "the"
The definite article is used in the following cases:
- If we are talking about a certain subject that we have already talked about, or if we understand from the context what it is about. For example, Yesterday I saw a film. The film was not interesting.
- With items that are one of a kind Thesun, thewind, themoon,theearth
- After . For example, There is a cat in front of the monitor.
- C - the smallest - the smallest, the quickest - the fastest
- C, for example: the first book, the fifth floor (BUT: if the ordinal number denotes a number, the article is not put: Lesson 7, Bus 15, page 45)
- With cardinal points: In the north; in the south; in the east; in the west
- With a surname - when it comes to the whole family - the Ivanovs - Ivanovs, the Smiths - Smiths
- In stable phrases: In the morning; in the evening; in the afternoon; to the cinema/ theatre; to the shop/market; at the cinema/the theatre; at the shop/ the market
Definite article with place names
The definite article must be used with the following geographical names:
- seas - the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea
- oceans - the Pacific Ocean
- rivers - the Voilga, the Nile
- channels - the English Channel
- bays, straits - the Gulf of Mexico, the Bosphorus Straits
- archipelagos - the Seichelles
- deserts - the Sahara, the Gobi
- mountain ranges - the Alps
- countries, if the name contains the word Republic, Federation, Kingdom, it is in the plural (t he Netherlands) or shortened to an abbreviation (the USA, the UK)
The article is not used with the names of countries, lakes, mountains (peaks), islands, cities, continents, streets, squares, airports. Exceptions:
- theGambia— Gambia,
- the Hague from The Hague
The definite article is also used with the names of hotels, cinemas, theaters, newspapers and magazines.
We have reflected the basic rules for the use of the article. There are many nuances, and the scope of one article does not allow to mention everything. But we have prepared another video tutorial on some difficult cases of using the article:
We hope that the above will help you understand the articles in English and use them correctly in your speech, but do not forget that repetition is the mother of learning, do not be lazy to revise the rules as often as possible.
27.11.2014An article is a word that defines a noun.
There are two kinds of articles in English: definite (the) and indefinite (a/an).
Based on the names, respectively, the indefinite article is used when we are talking about a phenomenon that we meet for the first time, an object in general, and a definite article is used when we are talking about something specific, or already encountered in a conversation.
The concept of the article is present in many languages of the world, but in the same number of languages it is absent.
So don't panic if your native language doesn't use articles.
The data will help you make fewer mistakes when speaking English.
It is very important to be able to use the correct articles in your speech or writing.
1. With the names of countries and continents
In this case, we do not use articles at all, BUT if the country name consists of parts, such as USA, UK, UAE, then our article appears the, and will be: the USA, the UK, the UAE, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands.
This also applies to continents and islands: usually we do not use the article, but if the name is collective, the definite article has a place to be.
For example: Africa, Europe, Bermuda, Tasmania BUT the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas.
- She lived in America.
- They live in England.
- My friend is from the Czech Republic.
2. With the words breakfast, dinner, lunch
When it comes to eating in general, there is no article. But if you're talking about a specific breakfast, dinner, or lunch, use the.
For example:
- I don't eat breakfast.
- We didn't like the dinner.
3. With job titles, professions
In this case, the indefinite article is used. a/an.
For example:
- I want to be a politician.
- My younger brother wants to be a vet.
4. With the names of the cardinal points
Usually the names of the cardinal directions are capitalized, so they are easy to recognize: the North, the South, the East, the West .
True, if a noun indicates a direction, then it should be used without an article and written with a small letter.
For example:
- They went east.
- The North is cooler than the South.
5. With the names of oceans, seas, rivers and canals
Remember that the definite article is always used with the names of these bodies of water.
For example: The Amazon, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal .
- I would like to swim in the Red Sea, and you?
- The Amazon is the longest river in the world.
6. With the names of unique phenomena
It means that a phenomenon or an object exists in one copy, one in its kind, in particular, the sun, the moon, the inter net , the sky , the earth.
For example:
- The sun is a star.
- We looked up at all the stars in the sky.
- He is always on the internet.
7. With uncountable nouns
This category of nouns implies those units and concepts that we cannot count. Plus, as an identification mark in most cases, they do not have an ending. -s- plural indicator.
But do not forget that there are ten exceptions to one rule, that is, if you are talking in general about any uncountable concept, there will be no article, but again, if the case is special, use the.
For example:
- I like bread/milk/honey.
- I like the bread/the milk/the honey. (Specifically this and nothing else.)
8. With surnames
If we are talking about members of the same family, you can put the article the before the surname. Thus, you designate a group of people, a family with one word.
For example:
- The Smith are coming for dinner today.
- Have you seen the Jonson recently?
These are not all uses of articles in English. However, to begin with, remember these rules, gradually deepening your knowledge.
Article- This is a special function word in English, which is used before a noun. The article is often not translated into Russian. In English, the article is a determiner of a noun and is not an independent part of speech. More about the article in English.
The definite article (the definite article) the used in English in the following cases:
1. The definite article is used before countable nouns, if it is clear from the situation/previous experience/context which object or person is being referred to.
Examples: We met a girl in the park. The girl was a famous actress. We met a girl in the park. This girl was a famous actress. (In the second sentence, the noun girl used with the definite article the, because the girl was already discussed in the previous sentence)
Please close the book. – Close the book, please. (It should be clear to the interlocutor which book is being discussed, otherwise the speaker could not use the article in this case the)
2. The definite article is used before a noun with a definition, which indicates what kind of subject it is.
Examples: show me the magazinethat I gave you 2 weeks ago. Show me the magazine I gave you 2 weeks ago.
The keylying near the pillar is mine. - The key lying near the counter is mine.
3. The definite article is used with nouns that denote unique, one-of-a-kind objects, or the only objects in given conditions.
Examples:the sun - the sun (does not indicate the name of the planets, therefore it is used with the definite article as a phenomenon, the only one of its kind),
the moon - the moon (does not indicate the name of the planets, therefore it is used with the definite article as a phenomenon, the only one of its kind),
the sky - sky (one of a kind),
the Eiffel Tower - Eiffel Tower (the only one)
the captain - captain (since he is the only one on the ship),
the chief - chef (since he is the only chef in the restaurant),
the window - window (since it is the only one in the room),
the Earth - Earth (Earth as a planet, one of a kind),
BUT!
Noun Earth in the meaning of one of the planets (as Venus - Venus or Saturn - Saturn) used without an article and capitalized, since according to the rule the names of the planets are used without the article.
4. The definite article is used before a noun, which means not a separate object, but the whole class as a whole.
Examples:The lion is a wild animal. - The lion is a wild animal.
The pine is an evergreen tree. - Pine is an evergreen tree.
5. The definite article is used with the names of cinemas, hotels, museums, galleries, newspapers and magazines, ships.
Examples:the Odeon - cinema "Odeon",
the Astoria - hotel "Astoria",
the British Museum - British Museum,
the Tate Gallery - Tate Gallery,
the The Times - The Times newspaper
the Santa Maria - the ship "Santa Maria", etc.
Note! If the name of a city object (cinema, hotel, museum, gallery, etc.) contains the name of a settlement or a person’s name (ending in –s or ‘s), then the article is not used.
Examples: St. Paul's Cathedral - Cathedral of St. Paul
Madame Tussaud's Museum - Madame Tussauds Museum
Covent Garden - Covent Garden Opera House (named after the nearby market)
MacDonald's - McDonald's
Westminster Abbey - Westminster Abbey (named after the district)
Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace (after the name of the county in England)
Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh Castle
London Zoo - London Zoo
Scotland Yard - Scotland Yard
6. The definite article is used with the names of rivers, canals, seas, oceans, groups of islands, mountain ranges, deserts, lakes(if they are used without a word lake).
Examples:the Dnepr - Dnieper,
the Panama Canal - Panama Canal,
the Black Sea - Black Sea,
the Pacific Ocean - Pacific Ocean,
the Hawaiian Islands - Hawaiian Islands,
the Bahamas - Bahamas,
the Urals - Ural Mountains,
the Sahara desert - Sahara desert,
the Ontario - Ontario, etc.
BUT!
Lake Superior - Lake Superior
Leech Lake– (lake) Lich
loch Ness - (lake) Loch Ness (loch is the Scottish version of the word "lake")
7. The definite article is used with country names consisting of more than one word.
Examples:the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Union of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
the United States of America - the USA - United States of America,
the Philippines - Philippines,
the United Arab Emirates - United Arab Emirates,
the Netherlands - the Netherlands, etc.
As an exception, the definite article is used with the following countries and localities:
Examples:the Sudan - Sudan,
the Congo - Congo,
the Argentine Argentina,
the Ukraine - Ukraine,
the Crimea - Crimea,
the Caucasus - Caucasus, etc.
8. The definite article is used with the following city names:
Examples:the Hague - The Hague,
the Athens - Athens,
the Vatican - Vatican, etc.
9. The definite article is used with the following words (when they are used as adverbs of place):
Examples:beach- beach, cinema- cinema, city- city, country(side)- countryside, ground- Earth, jungle- jungle, library- library, pub- bar, radio- radio, sea- sea, sea side- coast, station- railway station, shop- score, theater- theatre, world- the world, etc.
10. The definite article is used with adjectivesonly - only, last - last, first - first.
Examples: It was the first time I was ever in love. It was the first time I fell in love.
I had the only dream to become an engineer-designer of the electronic devices. “My only dream was to become an electronics design engineer.
11. The definite article is used with substantiated adjectives.
Examples:the rich - rich,
the young - youth,
the homeless - homeless, etc.
12. The definite article is used with superlative adjectives.
Examples: Nicole is the best friend. Nicole is your best friend.
Winter is the coldest season of the year. - Winter is the coldest season of the year.
13. The definite article is used with ordinal numbers.
Examples:the first - first,
the second - second,
the fifteenth - fifteenth,
the second Unit - the second lesson,
BUT
Unit 1 - Lesson 1, etc.
14. The definite article is used with wordsmorning - morning, afternoon - day, evening - evening.
Examples: in the morning - in the morning,
in the afternoon - in the afternoon,
in the evening - in the evening.
15. The definite article is used with names of musical instruments.
Examples:the piano - piano,
the violin - violin
the double-bass - double bass,
the guitar - guitar, etc.
16. The definite article is used with names of nationalities.
Examples:the Ukrainian - Ukrainians,
the Belorussian - Belarusians,
the English - English,
the Dutch - Dutch, etc.
17. The definite article is used with a surname when it comes to the whole family.
Examples:the Petrovs - the Petrov family,
the Browns - the Brown family, etc.
18. The definite article is used with titles.
Examples:the queen - queen,
the Prince - prince,
the Lord - lord,
BUT!
Queen Victoria - Queen Victoria,
Prince William - Prince William,
Lord Byron - Lord Byron, etc.
The indefinite article is used when you mention something for the first time or when you want to say: "some one", "any", "one of".
Article a (an) is only used before singular countable nouns - i.e. in front of those where you can mentally say one.
Countable nouns are those that can be counted. For example, books, trees, dogs, etc.
In the plural, the indefinite article is not used.
1. At the first mention
I've seen a new film. The film is called Slumdog Millionaire. - I saw a new movie.
How to use the article
It's called Slumdog Millionaire.
This is a classic example: when first mentioned, the article is used. a, with repeated - article the.
2. General situation (some one, some, any)
It's about something in general, not about something specific.
Example
I'd like to buy a dress. - I want to buy a dress.
This is not about a particular dress, but about a dress.
And if you said:
I'd like to buy the dress - this would mean that you do not mean some unknown dress, but a specific dress, this.
3. We are talking about a representative isolated from a number of the same type
Example
Ludwig van Beethoven was a great composer. - Ludwig van Beethoven was a great composer.
Those. one of the great composers. If we put here instead of the article a article the, this would mean that Beethoven - the only one the greatest composer in the world. But that's not the case. There are many great composers, and Beethoven is only one of them.
The difference between the article a and an
Article a used before words that begin with a consonant, and the article an- from a vowel.
Examples
A book - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An apple - the word begins with a vowel sound.
It seems that everything is simple and clear? Yes, but there are more complex situations. Please note - from a consonant (vowel) sound, not letters.
Examples
A house - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An hour - the word begins with a vowel sound.
A university - the word begins with a consonant sound.
An umbrella - the word begins with a vowel sound.
How so, you ask? Why before the word university worth the article a? It's a vowel sound, after all!
Remember, it's not about spelling, it's about pronunciation. Look at the transcription of the word university: it starts with . And this is a consonant sound! Incidentally, in Russian th is a consonant sound.
Examples
The words in the table below begin with a consonant, so they are preceded by always the article is put a.
The words in the table below start with a vowel, so they are preceded by always the article is put an.
Note
Choice of article a or an affects the first sound of the word that immediately follows the article. Please note - the first word will not always be a noun!
Example
An umbrella - the vowel in the word umbrella
A black umbrella - a consonant in the word black
An hour - the vowel in the word hour
A whole hour - consonant sound in the word whole
Return to Grammar
Article in English- this is a service part of speech, which serves to express the category of certainty or indefiniteness of an object expressed by a noun.
Certainty means that an item is individualized, distinguished from all other items of this kind, and uncertainty is a more general reference to this type of item as a whole.
For example:
The boy has a ball.
The boy has a ball.
In this example, a specific, specific boy is meant, known to the reader from the context, and the word "ball" has a more general meaning and indicates what type of object he has.
There are two articles in English: the definite the and indefinite a (an).
Examples of the use of articles in English
Both of them originated from significant parts of speech and partially retained their old meaning.
Definite articlethe derived from demonstrative pronoun that, hence its meaning of concreteness.
The old meaning can be traced in phrases such as:
at the time - at that time
of the kind - of the kind
Indefinite articlea derived from the numeral one, the meaning of which is clearly seen in the phrases:
not a word - not (one) word
a mile's walk - at a distance of (one) mile
a cup or two - (one) cup or two
The indefinite article in English has two variants - a and an. If the noun begins with a consonant sound, then the form is used a, if from a vowel - form an:
a tree[ ətri:] - wood
a worker [ ə wɜ:kə] - worker
a hero [ ə hiərəʊ] - hero
an apple [ ənæpl] - Apple
an engineer [ ən endʒiniə] - engineer
an hour [ ən aʊə] - hour
Zero article or its absence before a significant noun occurs in certain cases when using the plural, proper names, geographical names, uncountable and abstract nouns, etc.:
people - people
water - water
Europe - Europe
English articles in detail:
Further:
/ Online lessons / Articles
Articles in English.
English articles There are two types - a (an) and the.
The indefinite article in English a, an(the Indefinite Article) is only used before countable nouns in the singular:
A cup, a table, a pen
But,
an is only used before nouns that start with a vowel:
an apple, an exam, an interesting book
Uncountable nouns are used with a zero article, i.e. without article, or with an indefinite pronoun.
Milk milk (always plural)
some milk- milk (or some milk)
The indefinite article indicates that the object belongs to some class of homogeneous objects:
A gym, a horse
The Definite Article the (the Definite Article)in Englishused:
1. With nouns that have already been mentioned in the conversation, in a sentence
I have a dog.
The definite article the in English
The dog is funny.
I have a dog. dog funny.
2. With the names of oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges
The Black Sea, The Pacific Ocean, the Thamse…
But,
The article is not put at all before proper names:
England, Russia, London, Kiev, Mr. brown.
3. With the names of the four parts of the world
The South, the North, the Earth, the West
4. With objects or concepts that are one of a kind
The sun the moon the sky …
5. With nouns that denote an entire class or species
The tiger is a wild animal
But,
The article is not put at all if the noun denotes a general meaning
life is good.
6. Before the surnames of persons in the plural, unless they denote a whole family
The Stevensons – The Stevensons Family
Remember the following frozen phrases:
In the morning
in the afternoon
in the evening
at night
As well as:
To go to bed
to go to work
to go to school
to go home
to come home
to leave home for work (for school) - go to work (school)
at half past five
at a quarter past five
after work - after work
from work - from work
after school - from school
to have (cook, make, prepare) breakfast
to have (cook, make, prepare) _ lunch(dinner supper, tea, coffee)
watch TV
to play chess
to play football
out of - something ended
to play the piano
to play the guitar
doors
in a loud voice - loud (speak)
in a low voice - quietly (speak)
in an angry voice - evil (speak)
in a thin voice - subtly (to speak)
in a___voice - voice (speak)
Articles in English are not used before the names of lakes, mountains, islands, continents, cities, countries.
Exceptions:
The United States of America
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
the Netherlands
the Crimea
Memorize the following frozen English phrases:
in the north
in the south
in the east
in the west
to the north
to the south
to the east
to the west
To have a good time - spend a good time
From morning till _ night - from morning to night
All day long - throughout the day
A lot of - a lot of
What's the use? - What's the use?
To the cinema
to the theater
to the shop
to the market
at the cinema
at the theater
at the shop
at the market
to go for a walk - go for a walk
Remember the following phrases frozen in English:
On _ horseback - on a horse
on_ shipboard - on board the ship
in_ fact - known, actually
the same - the same, the same
Remember the use of the article in exclamatory sentences that begin with the word "what":
What a good boy! What a long story! What a day!
Pay attention to the use of the article with the word other (other):
another- another (indefinite), some other, one more (in the plural or before an uncountable noun - other.)
the other- other (definite), that other, the other of the two.
After a while - after a while
from place to place - from place to place
It was morning
It was night
It was daytime
It was evening
at sunrise
at sunset
in the country - to the country
by bus, by tram, by train, by car - by bus, by tram, by train, by car
in town - to town
spring
summer
autumn
winter
the rest of the ... - the rest (s) ...
in a day
in a week
in a month
in a year
for life - for life
a great deal - excellent
deal! - agreed!
The indefinite article a, an (The Indefinite Article) is used only before countable nouns in the singular:
This is a tennis racket.
Uncountable nouns are used either without an article or with indefinite pronouns:
There is snow on the field.
There is some milk in the cup.
The indefinite article in English indicates that an object belongs to a class of homogeneous objects:
It is a gym. That is a horse with pommels.
The definite article the (The Definite Article) is used:
With nouns that have already been mentioned in the conversation, in a sentence
I see a ball. The ball is on the playground.
With the names of the four parts of the world
the South, the North, the West, the East
With the names of oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges
the Black Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Thames, the Urals
With objects or concepts that are one of a kind
the earth, the sun, the moon, the sky, the world, etc.
With nouns that are representatives of the entire class of homogeneous objects:
The tiger is a world animal.
Before the surnames of persons in the plural, if they mean the whole family:
The Browns are our best friends.
Definite article (the)
Articles cause a lot of difficulties, and not only because there is no analogue in Russian and nothing to compare with. But because despite its certain meaning, there are a lot of cases of use and exceptions to them.
8 rules for using the definite article in English
So, what is the point of the definite article the?
The definite article also defines a noun, indicating its specificity. Its roots grow from the demonstrative pronoun that, which, like the article the, points to something specific, precise, definite. Form one, pronunciation two.
Small features of the use of the article the
As with the indefinite, it all depends on the subsequent noun. So, if there is a consonant at the beginning of a word, then the is pronounced like [ðƏ], and if it is a vowel or mute h, then -[ði]. Very often, the definite article in English is replaced by possessive pronouns, if it is important to indicate to whom this or that object, person, etc. belongs. In some cases, it is replaced by its progenitors - demonstrative pronouns - this, that, these, those. Sometimes, even if the sentence is written the, then in Russian it sounds like “this, that, those”.
The day was very interesting and full of emotions. — The day was very interesting and full of emotions.
My day was very interesting and full of emotions.
— My day was very interesting and full of emotions.
When is the article the used?
Almost any noun in English must be followed. The use of the article the has a number of cases that need to be remembered.
1. If the subject one of a kind (the earth, the sky, the sun , the Taj Mahal) and there are no more analogues, then we put the. The same is true with the subject the only one in the environment . For example, sitting in a room, you ask to close the door, the one that is there.
Look at the moon! It is shining brightly. - Look at the moon. She shines bright.
Close the door, please. - Close the door, please.
2. With nouns, in the function of circumstance (where something is located: in a garden, in a city, meaning a specific garden or city), the definite article is also used. By using the article the, you specify.
It was very dark in the room. — The room was very dark.
They are working in the field. — They work in the garden.
3. With nouns, denoting a certain amount, in a certain place.
The snow is dirty. - The snow is dirty (just in some place, because in general it is clean, white)
Give me the water, please. - Give me some water, please. (Not all water, but a certain amount, for example, to drink)
4. If the offer contains "Appendix", giving additional information about the person, and if the popularity of this character is emphasized, then we put the.
Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed. Pushkin, the famous Russian poet, was killed.
5. After the words one of, some of, many of, each of, most of, both, all.
All the newspapers were sold out. All newspapers were sold out.
Show me one of the dresses. Show me one of the dresses.
Each of the women have children. Every woman has children.
6. Before superlative adjectives, before words the same, the following, the next (meaning next in order), the last (last) , before ordinal numbers.
It is the most interesting article I have ever read. — This is the most interesting article I have ever read.
The last week was very tiring. “The last week has been very exhausting.
She took the next ticket. She took the next ticket.
7. Before substantiated adjectives, participles, before the word people in the meaning of the people.
The rich have a happy life. The rich have a happy life.
The Soviet people won the war. The Soviet people won the war.
8. Before words denoting social classes of people.
The workers have a small salary. The workers have low wages.
9. Usually, the article is not used before proper names. But there are exceptions that we will consider. For example, before names denoting the whole family as a whole.
The Makarny have a big house. — The Macarnis (the Macarnis) have a big house.
10. Before titles some countries, where there are the words republic, kingdom, states, union, federation, before the names that are in the plural: the Netherlands, The Philippines, the Baltic States.
The Czech Republic is situated in the center of Europe. — The Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe.
She has just come from the United States of America. She has just arrived from the United States of America.
11. Before titles rivers, seas, oceans, straits, canals, currents, lakes (if the composition does not contain the word lake).
The Pacific Ocean is the greatest ocean in the world. — The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world.
The Baikal is in Siberia. — Baikal in Siberia. (But: Lake Baikal)
12. Before titles deserts, mountain ranges, island groups (in the only - without).
We are going to climb the Alps. We are going to climb the Alps.
When I was traveling around the world I was in the Sahara. — when I traveled the world, I was in the Sahara.
13. Before the names of the four cardinal points: the south, the north, the east, the west, poles, regions, ships.
He has lived in the west since 1967. - He has lived in the west since 1967.
My parents went on board the Star. My parents came on the steamer Star.
14. Before titles museums, cinemas, clubs, galleries, restaurants, monuments, names of English (American) newspapers (with the exception of "Today"), hotels.
I try to read the Morning Star every day. I try to read Morning Star every day.
I would like to put up in the National. — I would like to stay at the National Hotel.
Of course, remembering right away when the article the is put is quite difficult. It's all a matter of practice. But remember one truth: before common nouns, if something specific is indicated, you understand what subject is being discussed, then feel free to put the. And the use of proper names still have to learn.
There are two articles in English: the definite the and the indefinite a. You can also highlight another type of article: the so-called "zero" (Zero Article), i.e. the absence of an article. The article is a function word, a sign of a noun. By itself, it has no meaning, and it is never stressed.
The Indefinite Article a (an)
Derived from the numeral one.
Used only with countable singular nouns.
An object is called in a general sense, not some specific (one of, some, some): a house is a house, a book is a book, a tree is a tree, a dog is a dog, a man is a man, a man, a ship - a ship, a vessel, a bag - a bag, a package, a pencil - a pencil, a bird - a bird, a lake - a lake.
Note: if the word (it can also be an adjective, not necessarily a noun) following the indefinite article begins with a vowel, then it is added to the article: an apple - apple, an airport - airport, an octopus - octopus, an orange - orange, an onion - onion, an ice-cream - ice cream, an interesting book - an interesting book, an easy test - an easy test, etc.
The use of the indefinite article
The indefinite article is used in the following cases:
1. The subject is distinguished as a representative of the class: It's a tree. - This is a tree, (not a train - not a train, not a baby - not a child)
2. Names of professions, occupations (in singular):
a doctor is a doctor, an engineer is an engineer, a policeman is a policeman, a driver is a driver, a seaman is a sailor, an accountant is an accountant, a student is a student, a painter is an artist, a builder is a builder.
3. This refers to any, any representative of a given class of objects or persons:
A child can do it. - A child can do it. (any, any child);
A square has four sides. - A square (any) has 4 sides.
4. We report about an object or person for the first time (some, one, some):
I saw a boy near their house. - I saw some boy near their house;
A man called you while you were absent - While you were away, some man called.
5. In some cases, the article has the meaning "one" a (n) \u003d 1
I'll be back t an hour. - I'll be back in an hour.
Didn't say a word. He didn't say a word (not a single word).
6. In emotional terms: What the…! Which…! What(a)..
Uncountable nouns or plural are not used with the indefinite article.
What a beautiful ring! - What a beautiful ring!
What a day! - Well, a day! (admiration and indignation)
What a pretty little boy! - What a lovely baby!
But: What fine weather! (unexplained noun) - What a beautiful weather!
What luck! - What a luck!
What bad luck! - What bad luck! (unexplained noun)
But: What a pity! - What a pity! What a shame!
What cold water! (unexplained noun) - What cold water!
What beautiful clouds! (plural) - What beautiful clouds!
such a ... - such quite a ... - quite (singular)
She's such a clever woman! She is such a smart woman!
She's quite a young girl - She is very young!
Ho: These are such interesting films! (plural) - These are such interesting films!
Have you ever seen such weather?! (infinite n.) Have you ever seen such weather?!
The Definite Article the
Derived from the demonstrative pronoun that.
Used with singular countable nouns. n pl. and with uncountable nouns.
Indicates a specific object / person, highlighting it from all objects or persons of this class.
The definite article is used in the following cases:
1. The subject/person the object is known to the interlocutor, mentioned earlier: When I entered the room I saw a man standing at the window. The man was very tall. - When I entered the room, I saw a man standing at the window. The man was very tall.
2. A specific indication, clear from the context.
Please close the window. - Close the window, please (meaning exactly the window that is currently open. Or there is only one window in the room, there are no other windows there).
Where is the key? - Where is the key?
The interlocutors know which key is being discussed.
Give me the suitcase, please. - Give me the suitcase, please. If “your, yours” is meant, then instead of the definite article, it is better to use the possessive pronoun of the corresponding meaning: Don’t put the keys into your pocket. Don't put your keys in (your) pocket.
3. An object / person, unique in its kind or in a given setting, situation:
the sun,
the Moon - the moon,
the Earth - Earth,
the sky - the sky,
the Hermitage - Hermitage,
the Kremlin - the Kremlin,
the South Pole - South Pole,
the beginning - the beginning,
the end - the end,
the top - top, upper part,
the bottom - lower part, bottom, bottom,
the President of Russia - President of Russia,
the King of France - the king of France.
Ho: President Bush (the word President in combination with the name, surname),
Queen Elizabeth - Queen Elizabeth
4. Nations, belonging to a country (in a collective sense): the Americans - Americans, the Japanese - Japanese, the Russians - Russians, the French - French, the Greeks - Greeks, the Swedes - Swedes, the Poles - Poles, the Dutch - Dutch, the Danes - Danes.
5. We are talking about all objects or persons of this class:
Give those a list of the students (all the students). - Give me a list of students (all).
6. With general meaning: whole class, breed (singular): The poplar doesn't grow here. - Poplar does not grow here.
7. Before adjectives and participles that have become plural nouns: The poor in this town live in awful conditions. - The poor in this city live in terrible conditions;
The wounded were taken to the hospital at once. - The wounded were immediately taken to the hospital.
8. After the pronouns all and both (if there is no possessive or demonstrative pronoun): all the students - all students, both the letters - both letters.
9. The names of the cardinal points are always used with the definite article: (where?)
in the north - in the north,
in the south - in the south,
in the west - in the west,
in the east - in the east,
in the Far East - in the Far East,
in the southeast - in the southeast;
(where?) to the north - to the north; to the south - to the south.
10. If the noun has a definition (clarification):
Here's the man who called you yesterday. - This is the person who called you yesterday.
11. With words (definitions):
same - the same
next, following - next,
last - last, past,
very - the one
only - the only one:
the same story - the same story (story),
the following week - the next week,
the next day (year, month) - next day, year, month.
But: Next Sunday we are going to the theatre. - Next Sunday we are going to the theater (when?).
the following task - the next task,
in the last carriage - in the last carriage,
on the last page - on the last page.
This exercise is on the last page. - This exercise is on the last page.
But: Not graduated from the University last year. - He graduated from university last year, (when?)
You are the very person I need. - You are the very person that I need;
Was not the only child in the family. - He was the only child in the family.
!! The words last and next, as well as the word this to indicate the time (when?) used without article(and without a preposition, not like in Russian):
last week - last week
next week - next week,
last Sunday - last Sunday,
next Friday - next Friday,
last year - last year,
next year - next year,
last month - last month,
next month - next month,
last time - last time,
next summer - next summer,
this Tuesday - this Tuesday,
this week - this week,
this year - this year,
this time - this time.
12. The definite article is used before adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison or ordinal numbers: Not is the best student in our group. - He is the best student in our group;
The highest mountains are in Asia. - The highest mountains are located in Asia;
Their office is on the second floor. - Their office is on the second floor.
Zero article (no article) Zero Article
Consider cases where the article is missing.
1. If there is a possessive or demonstrative pronoun before the noun, another noun in the possessive case, a cardinal number or the negation of no (not to be confused with the negative particle not!), or the pronouns some, any, every:
We didn't like that car. We didn't like that car;
Do you happen to know her brother's friend? "You don't happen to know her brother's friend, do you?"
I'd like to buy one bottle of wine and two or three lemons. - I would like to buy a bottle of wine and 2-3 lemons;
Didn't have money to give them a call - He didn't have money to call them;
I don't care what some people say. - I don't care what some people say.
2. Before appeals: What are you drawing, children? - What are you drawing, children?
Morning, Captain. - Good morning, captain.
3. Without the article, real nouns are used when talking about a substance or material in a general sense: Water is necessary for people. - People need water; Milk is very useful for children. - Milk is very useful for children.
4. Abstract nouns in the general sense, as well as the names of sciences, subjects studied (if they do not have definitions):
Compare: I like music. - I love music. (Not any specific one, but in general.)
I like the music. - I like the music (that is playing at the moment or that we are talking about).
5. Position, rank as a title and in combination with the name / surname: Professor Petrov-Professor Petrov, Dr. Brown - Dr. Brown, Colonel Jones - Colonel Jones, Captain Smith - Captain Smith.
But if the position or rank is used as a subject or object, then the definite article is used: The dean of our faculty. -Dean of our faculty (subject).
6. Any, any representative of the class (pl.): Boys like to play football. - The boys love to play football; Lions as well as tigers are dangerous animals. - Lions, like tigers, are dangerous animals.
7. The article is absent in a number of combinations, which include:
at night
at dinner (breakfast, supper) at lunch (breakfast, dinner)
at home
at school
at work
at sunset
at first sight
at peace in the world
at table at the table (i.e. at lunch, breakfast, dinner)
at war
by tram (train, boat, bus, etc.)
by air
by water
by sea
by land
by day
by post (air mail)
by heart by heart
by chance
by mistake
by name
in time
in debt
in demand
in sight
in fact
in conclusion
on board a ship
on deck
on demand
on credit
on sale
day after day
day and night
to be in town
to be in bed
to go to bed
to go to school
to go to town
from morning to (till) night
from day to day
from shop to shop
from time to time
from head to foot
The article is also not used in many combinations before a noun, which is an addition to the verb and expresses a single concept with it:
to have dinner (breakfast, lunch, supper)
to take part to participate;
to take place;
to take care;
to shake hands;
to drop (cast) anchor
to lose sight;
to declare war
to pass judgment, etc.
Use of the article with proper names
1. Names, surnames, separately and in combination with the position, rank are used without the article: John Smith, Paul Brown, Professor Petrov, Colonel Perry, Dr. Davidson, Earl Gray (Earl Gray), Mr. White, Mrs. Adams, Ms. Marple, etc.
2. Plural surnames are used with the definite article. in a collective sense, i.e. when the family is meant as a whole: the Petrovs, the Orlovs, the Belovs, the Brown family, the Adams family: the Petrovs, the Orlovs, the Belovs, the Browns, the Adams.
3. Family members - without the article: father, mother, grandpa, sister, Uncle Paul, Aunt Emily.
4. The names of hotels are used with a definite article, if the word Hotel is not present: the “Metropol”, the “Savoy”,
Ho: Nadezhda Hotel
5. With deserts and plains, on the contrary: if after the name there is the word Desert - desert, then the definite article is put before the name: the Sahara Desert.
But: Sahara.
6. Without the article, the names of streets, squares, parks are used:
They are not far from Red Square. - They are not far from the Red Square.
We live on (in) Green Street. - We live on Green Street.
Broadway is the most famous and the longest street in New York. - Broadway is the most famous and longest street in New York.
They agreed to meet near Hyde Park. They agreed to meet near Hyde Park.
Exceptions: the Bowery - Bowery street (in New York), the Srand - Strand street (in London).
7. The names of English and American newspapers and magazines are used with the definite article: "The Daily Telegraph", "The Daily Mirror", "The Times".
8. The names of ships are also used with the definite article: The "Northern Star", The "Titanic".
9. City names are used without the article: the city of Moscow - Moscow / or the city of Moscow.
Exception: the Hague - the city of The Hague (in Holland).
10. Country names are mostly used without the article: Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Russia, Great Britain.
But with a definite article, the names of the following countries are used: the Netherlands - the Netherlands (But: Holland - Holland), the Ukraine - Ukraine, the Congo - Congo, the Sudan - Sudan, and regions such as Crimea. - the Crimea, the Caucasus - the Caucasus and Transvaal - the Transvaal (province in South Africa).
As well as countries whose names contain the words united, united, union, commonwealth, federation:
The United States of America = the USA = the US - United States of America;
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - the UK - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
The Russian Federation - Russian Federation (But: Russia - Russia).
11. Mountains. The names of individual mountain peaks "do not like" the article and never stand next to it: Everest, Mt. Mont Blanc - Mount Mont Blanc, Mt Mc.Kinley, Elbrus.
Note: Mt=mount from the word mountain - mountain.
And the names of mountain ranges, mountain ranges are used with a definite article: the Alps - Alps, Alpine mountains, the Urals, the Caucasus.
12. The same with the islands. The names of individual islands are used without the article: Cuba - the island of Cuba, Java - the island of Java, Cyprus - the island of Cyprus, and the names of the archipelagos - with a definite article: the British Isles - the British Isles (the UK is located on these islands), the Philippines - Philippine Islands, Philippines.
13. The names of the continents are used without the article: Europe - Europe, Asia - Asia, Africa - Africa, Australia - Australia, North America - North America, South America - South America, Arctic (Arctic Region) -Arctic.
Exception: the Antarctic - Antarctica.
14. All "geographical water" (oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, canals, bays, straits, waterfalls, depressions, currents) is used with the definite article:
the Niagara Falls - Niagara Falls,
the Bering Strait - Bering Strait,
the Persian Gulf,
the Baltic (Sea) - Baltic Sea,
the Pacific (Ocean) - the Pacific Ocean,
the Black Sea - Black Sea,
the Atlantic (Ocean) - Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic,
the Arctic (Ocean) - Arctic Ocean,
the Volga - the Volga river,
the Thames - river Thames,
the Hudson - Hudson,
the Baikal - Lake Baikal.
Before the name of rivers and lakes there can be either a definite article, or the word river or lake, but not all together: The Neva, the Neva River, River Neva;
The Baikal, the Baikal Lake, Lake Baikal
