The use of the article a in English. Rules for the use of definite and indefinite articles

Despite the fact that initially in the minds of a Russian-speaking person there is no category of articles, nevertheless, for the vast majority of modern European languages it is extremely significant and is literally absorbed with mother's milk. Therefore, today we will consider how to use the article a/an, the in English language right so that you never make mistakes again.

Rules for using the article a

This article is called the indefinite article and always accompanies countable nouns in singular, that is, those that can be counted, listed. The very essence of the article is expressed in the fact that it, together with an, is a remnant of an Old English word meaning "one". Therefore, the article a used exclusively with words in the singular. In addition, the cases of using this particular article include the following:

First mention of the item. For example, if the speaker is talking about his new notebook friend, he will say: Yesterday I bought a nice notebook. The notebook is green and pink. As you can see, the indefinite article was used for the first time a, in the second definite article- everything according to the established rules.
When naming a profession or type of activity, for example: She's a doctor. I am a teacher.
After the constructions there is, it is, that is, this is, for example: This is a beautiful dress. There is a computer on the table.
If a noun is preceded by an adjective describing it, then the article will not destroy their bundle, but will stand before the adjective, for example: I'm a young boy. In that vase there was a beautiful red rose.
After the words quite, such: Such a smart woman!
In expressions denoting quantity, namely: a lot of, a couple, a dozen, a way too, a great many, a great deal of.
In structures where a replaces the preposition per(in, out): 7 Euros a kilo, twice a day, etc.
In exclamatory sentences the following kind: What a nasty weather! What a good puppy! What a tasty pancake!
Sometimes accompanied by proper names, namely: Two days ago I met a Mrs. Black, which translates as "Yesterday I met some Mrs Black.

Article an

It should immediately be noted that this article is not independent and is only a form of the article described above a. Therefore, for an the same rules of use are characteristic, but the main condition for its use is the presence of a situation in which a countable word in the singular begins with a vowel. Example: I've bought an apple. In his bag there is an orange. An umbrella is what I really need now!

Combinations to learn

For each article ( a/an, the) there is a set of certain stable combinations, remembering which you can be sure that you will not fall into the dirt on your face. Often it is on them that the compilers of various exams like to catch people studying the language.

For articles a/an you need to remember the following basic stable phrases:

To be in a hurry - to be in a hurry, hurry up.
To be at a loss - to be in difficulty, bewilderment.
To be in a rage - to be furious, furious.
To have a headache - to have a headache.
To have a toothache - have a toothache.
In a loud voice - in a loud voice.
In a low voice - in a quiet, low voice.
In a whisper - in a whisper.
It's a pity - what a pity; sorry that….
It's a shame - shame.
It's a pleasure is a pleasure (to do something).

Definite article

The definite (definite article) article is identical to the demonstrative pronoun "this" and "that" and is used with nouns both in the singular and in the plural in the following situations:

If a we are talking about a subject that has already been mentioned in a conversation, or the context allows you to understand which particular subject from the set is being talked about, for example: Yesterday I went in the cinema and saw a film. The film was absolutely not interesting.
With words that serve as a nomination for unique objects, things or phenomena, one of a kind, namely: sun, sky, Earth, moon.
After prepositions indicating a place, for example: There is a dog in front of the door.
With superlative adjectives.
If a whole category is meant for one object, for example: The dog is a mammal
With ordinal numbers, namely: the second grade, etc. However, it is important to consider here: if the numeral denotes a number, the article is not used at all, for example: Lesson 3, Section 6, page 172, etc.
When mentioning the cardinal points: in the south.
With a surname, if the whole family is meant, and not a separate member of it: the Petrovs (Petrovs).
In sustainable structures to remember: in the morning/evening/afternoon, to the theater/cinema, to the market/shop.
Always with the words: same, next, only, very, previous, last, left, right, upper, very, central, following, main.
Together with adjectives that have passed into another part of speech, to nouns (such words are called substantiated), namely: The rich (rich) and others.

The definite article is also used with geographical names all:

rivers (the Neva);
oceans (the Pacific Ocean);
seas (the Red Sea);
lakes (the Baikal; however, if there is a word lake, for example Lake Superior and etc., the use of the article is not required at all);
channels;
straits and bays;
mountain ranges (the Alps);
deserts (the Victoria Desert);
archipelagos and islands (the British Isles);
states, if their name contains the words Kingdom, Federation, Republic (for example, the Dominican Republic), if the name is in the plural (the Netherlands) or is an abbreviation (the USA);
in two exceptions: the Gambia and the Bahamas;
with the names of cinemas, theaters, newspapers (The New York Times), magazines, hotels.

And again idioms

Another portion set phrases, actively used in everyday speech by the British and everyone who can speak their language, but already with the article the, as follows:

To tell (or speak) the trurth - tell the truth. You can remember with the help of an association: the truth is one and only, there are many lies (therefore it is said a lie).
To play the piano - play the piano.
In the day-time - in the daytime, during the day.
To read in the original - read in the original (i.e., not in translation).
On the one hand ... on the other hand ... - on the one hand (one opinion) ..., on the other hand (another opinion).
It's out of the question - this is out of the question.

So, when the basic rules for how the article is used a/an, the, have been considered, it's time to deal with the zero article and find out why these categories were formed at all in the English language, but not in Russian. In addition, it is also necessary to work theoretical basis through practical exercises.

Without article

There is a certain set of situations when the use of the article is not required (zero article, or "zero"). This includes the following cases:

If the word is used in the plural and in a general sense, for example: Children like bonbons (in general, all children (any) love candies).
With uncountable nouns, if no defining and descriptive units are given: My father likes music.
With proper names (countries, cities, human names).
With nominations for days of the week and months, for example: September, monday.
With the words breakfast, lunch, dinner.
When a word already has determiners in the form of possessive and demonstrative pronouns, as well as the words any, every, some.
Along with vehicle names: I prefer traveling by plane.
With words denoting sports.
With nouns denoting parents, family, educational establishments(if there is no specification and clarification): Are you at college?
With words expressing insufficiency: few, little.
With the names of the holidays (Easter, Christmas).
With disease nominations (flu, cancer).
And also in a number of stable combinations.

How did English develop? Articles a/the: history of appearance

It must be said that articles did not exist in languages immediately. In addition, even foreigners who have a system of articles in their native languages cannot always understand the system of this service part of speech in another language. For example, the German article system is considered the most sophisticated and complex, but many Germans admit that they absolutely cannot understand the pattern of using English articles, and vice versa.

Article a/an, the, as well as zero - all this is natural for a native English speaker today, and it is clear why. The fact is that the history of the English language as a whole is the history of a grammatical revolution. AT certain period of its development, this representative of the Indo-European language family took and changed the bundle “pronoun + noun”, so characteristic, for example, for Slavic languages, to the bundle “noun + article”.

Resources to help you master the material

Today articles a/the, the rules for the use of which were discussed above, sometimes become a stumbling block at the very beginning of the path to learning English. Therefore, in this article, we have collected resources and materials that will help solve the difficulties that have arisen:

Duolingo - a site where all topics, including articles a/the, the use and examples of which have already been covered in detail in the article, are provided with visual tables and explanations.
Njnj - seemingly unremarkable, but useful at least for a one-time visit to the service. Here anyone can work out articles a/the; exercises contain clues.
Lim-english - site for the final stage. Articles can be fixed here a/the; tests, among other rules, cover this section and offer to test yourself by answering 20 questions.

Afterword

As you can see, there is nothing wrong with the articles. Yes, it is extremely unusual for a Russian-speaking person who is just starting to get acquainted with foreign languages, but here, as you know, experience and practice are the main ones. The regularity of classes, watching movies and listening to music in the original will quickly help you to accept and understand the category of articles.

Articles cause a lot of difficulties, and not only because there is no analogue in Russian and nothing to compare with. And because in spite of certain value, there are many uses and exceptions to them. 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 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 who owns this or that object, person, etc. 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 that 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.

In English, in addition to general rules, there are special cases of using articles. It is about how to use articles correctly with place names and countable/uncountable nouns. Let's look into these nuances.

English articles with uncountable and countable nouns

In English, it can only be applied to countable nouns. For example:

Jane bought a bottle of lemonade.
Julia took a slice of butter.
My grandmother asked a glass of juice.
I need a cup of tea.

In you can often say I need a tea, meaning a cup of tea.

Meanwhile, it can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. Depending on the meaning of the sentence, the article the can be omitted altogether. Compare examples with and without the article:

My father bought the furniture. “We are talking about certain and well-known furniture for the whole family, which he may have wanted to buy for a long time.
My father bought furniture. - Here we mean any furniture that could be bought spontaneously.
Julia put the butter in refrigerator. - We are talking about a specific oil, which may have been bought just now.
Julia put butter in refrigerator. “Here we are talking about any oil that was put in the refrigerator.

How to use the definite article the with place names

With geographical names, the definite article the has a number of features of use.

Here is a list of cases when you need to use the:

Designations of rivers, seas, and oceans: the North Sea, the Caribbean Sea, the Amazon, the Atlantic, the Mississippi, the Pacific.
Designations of points on the world map: the South Pole, the North Pole.
: the Central Asia, the Central America, the North Africa.
Peninsula designations, sea bays, as well as deserts: the Apennine peninsula, the Mexican Gulf, the Atacama.

There are also a number of situations in which the article should not be used:

Names of most countries: France, Germany, Australia, Argentina. Exceptions are: the Philippines, the Dominican Republic.
City and state names: Tokyo, Paris, Amsterdam, British Columbia, California.
: Jefferson Street, Vernon Blvd, Avenue of the Americas.
Names of lakes and bays: Lake Baikal, Lake Titicaca, Lake Michigan. An exception is the name of groups of lakes, for example, the Great lakes.
Mountain peak designations: Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Aconcagua. Meanwhile, the names of mountain ranges should be used with the article the: the Himalayas, the Cordilleras, the Alps.
Continent names: Africa, Australia, Asia, South America.
Island names: Madagascar, Greenland, Tasmania. But if we are talking about a group of islands, then the article the must be used: the Maldives, the Seychelles, the Aleutians.

Cases when the article should be omitted

In English, there are several types of nouns with which the article is not used at all:

: Japanese, Italian, Russian, American, French, German. But, if we are talking about a group of people of the same nationality, the article should be used: The Italians are known for their emotionality in communication. (Italians are known for their emotionality in communication.)
Names of sports: hockey, basketball, biathlon, football.

That is, the absence of the article. Consider when the article the is used, which, by the way, according to linguists, is the most common word in the English language, although, of course, it is difficult to call it a word.

How to use the definite article THE - the basic rule

Most of the rules for using the definite article the are as follows: the is placed before a noun denoting something specific. The article the itself comes from the word that (this, that) - knowing this, it is easier to understand how it is used.

This is the place that we were talking about. - This is the place we were talking about.

You have the file what I need. – Do you have the document that I need.

The article here defines not, of course, but the noun defined by this adjective. The article the is needed because the superlative degree of a sign or person distinguishes it as unique:

This is the most delicious ice cream in the world. - This is the most delicious ice cream in the world.

He is the smartest student in the university. He is the smartest student at the university.

5. Before a number of adjectives implying the uniqueness of the subject.

These are words like the same(same), only(the only one), left\right(left \ right). Like superlative adjectives, they indicate the specificity of what is being said.

This is the only way out. - This is the only way out.

turn the left valve, please. – Turn the right valve, please.

My sister had the same problem. My sister had the same problem.

6. Before ordinal numbers.

Ordinal - denoting a number, not a quantity. If an item is "first" or "twentieth", this implies its relative uniqueness (in the context of the conversation). This also applies to words like the last(last), the previous(previous), which are similar in meaning to ordinal numbers.

Who was the first human in the space? Who was the first man in space?

I am reading the third chapter now. I am currently reading the third chapter.

Let's invite the previous candidate again. Let's invite the previous candidate again.

This is the last warning. “This is the last warning.

7. Before the names of people, when it comes to the family as a whole.

The surname is used in the plural, as in Russian.

I don't know the Allens, but they seem to be nice people. “I don't know the Allens, but they seem like nice people.

The Petrovs moved out on Monday. The Petrovs moved out on Monday.

8. Before wordspast, present, future, winter, spring, summer, autumn (fall).

These words should be singled out separately, because many expressions of time use an indefinite or zero article, For example: a week ago(a week ago) on Monday- on Monday. Speaking of the past, future, present, we use the:

That is my plan for the future. Here is my plan for the future.

Whatever happened in the past , stays in the past. Whatever happened in the past, it will remain in the past.

When we talk about the seasons, we use the when we mean, say, the fall of a particular year. Speaking about the season in general, we use the zero or definite article:

I moved to London autumn of 2010. – I moved to London in autumn 2010.
Poets love (the) autumn. Poets love autumn.

Note: the words autumn and fall mean "autumn" autumn is the British version fall- American.

9. Before some place names

- a rather confusing topic, I will highlight the main cases:

The article the is not needed before single-word country names (Russia, Spain), but is needed before names that include words like federation, kingdom, states: the Russian Federation, the Kingdom of Spain, the United Stated of America.
The is also placed before place names used in the plural: the Netherlands(Netherlands), the Virgin Islands (Virgin Islands), the Urals(Ural Mountains).

The article THE before adjectives and pronouns

Any article, both the and a\an, can be used before an adjective. The article at the same time determines the noun, the attribute of which denotes this adjective:

This is the new guy I told you about. “This is the new guy I told you about.

have a nice day. - Have a nice day.

Neither the article the nor a\an is used before a possessive (my, his, your, etc.) or demonstrative (this, these, that, those) pronoun that defines a noun - it already speaks of belonging in itself, and therefore the specificity of the subject.

Not right: Where is my car?
Correctly: Where is my car?

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