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.
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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(man's 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.
In this article, we will touch on the topic "Articles"- one of the most "unloved" topics of our students.
Many admit that, although they have gone through this topic many times, they continue to put articles at random and cannot systematize knowledge in any way. The article THE is of particular difficulty. Perhaps you have the same problem.
In preparing this article, we asked our students and subscribers to formulate questions related to the use of the article THE, to which they find it difficult to answer on their own. I would like to note that the questions were very similar, so we summarized them. And here are the questions of interest to students:
- Which article to choose: A or THE?
- How to determine if the article THE is needed with plural nouns and with uncountable nouns?
If you are also not completely sure of the depth of your knowledge about the use of the definite article THE and the previous experience of studying "from the textbook" was useless, then this material will help you systematize your existing knowledge and, possibly, learn something new.
Which article to choose A or THE?
Let's remember a little from the theory. A(an)- this, it points to an indefinite object, and emphasizes that the object is one. THE- definite article (definite article), it is used when referring to something already known to the speaker.
Consider an example:
My father bought me a dog.
- Great! What color is the dog?
- The dog is black. And my mother bought me a book.
The first sentence uses article A, since the dog is mentioned for the first time and the interlocutor still does not know anything about it. Subsequently, it is used the article THE, since it became clear to both speakers which dog they were talking about. In the last sentence, the word book also used with the indefinite article, since it is mentioned for the first time, the interlocutor has not yet determined what kind of book it is.
A few more examples:
Yesterday I got a letter. The letter was from my friend. - I received a letter yesterday. The letter was from my friend.
I am reading a newspaper. I bought the newspaper from the news agent. - I am reading a newspaper. I bought a newspaper from a periodicals dealer.
Remember the rule: If you have a countable noun in the singular, then use Aif this item is mentioned for the first time or it is indefinite, inessential. THE is used if the subject has already been mentioned before and is known to the interlocutors.
Sometimes, despite the fact that something is mentioned for the first time, we can understand from the context what it is about: when additional information about the subject is given, an explanation, or when it is clear from the situation itself. Consider examples with explanations:
I was at a party yesterday. - I was at the party yesterday.
(Meaning some kind of party that we don't know anything about yet)
I was at theparty organized by my friend. - I was at a party organized by my friend.
(We understand what kind of party we are talking about)
He saw a woman in the corridor. - He saw (some) woman in the corridor.
(No further information is given about the woman)
He saw the woman who lived next door to him. - He saw a woman who lived next door.
(We understand what kind of woman this is)
He entered a door. - He entered the door.
(He entered one of the doors, we do not know which one).
He entered the door nearest to the stairs. He entered the door closest to the stairs.
(Specify which door)
When is the article THE always used?
Remember a number of cases in which the article THE is always used:
- when something is mentioned that exists in one instance, something unique in its kind: the sun, the moon, the world, the earth, the capital, the ground, the environment, the universe
- with the names of groups of people expressed by adjectives: the elderly, the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the unemployed, the disabled and others
- with titles that end in -ese and -sh (-ch): the British, the Scottish, the Spanish, the Chinese, the Japanese. With other nationalities, the article THE may not be used: (the) Russians, (the) Americans
- in combinations related to space: the end, the beginning, the middle, the center
- in combinations related to time: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening; the next, the last, the present, the future, the past
- with titles and positions: the King, the president, the Prime Minister, the Queen
- with and adverbs in the superlative degree: the best, the worst, the fastest, the most interesting, the most beautiful
- from , including dates: the first (of May), the third (of November), the twentieth, the thirty-first
- in combinations like: THE something OF: the legs of the table, the topic of our lesson
- with the names of musical instruments: the guitar, the piano, the cello
- with the word the same: same
- in many stable phrases and idiomatic expressions.
When is THE used with place nouns?
Nouns denoting various places (not to be confused with place names!), can be used with or without the article THE. The use of the article directly depends on the context in which the noun is mentioned.
Consider an example. If someone is sick, then he is in the hospital:
He is at hospital.
When we say this, we do not mean a specific hospital, but we are talking about the hospital in general, as an institution where patients are treated.
If a friend of our patient decided to visit him and came to the hospital, then you need to say about him:
He is at the hospital.
He is not sick and should not be in the hospital (in the general sense of the word), he came to a certain hospital (the one in which his friend is), which is why the article THE appears.
One more example:
My little sister goes to school. Today it is a school concert so all our family will go to the school.
Children go to school in general to learn, so when talking about students, the article is not used. Other family members are not students. They will go to a certain school where their child is studying to watch a concert, respectively, before the word school put the article.
The same miracles happen with the words prison, church, university.
Remember the rule: if you mean a place all in all(its intended purpose is emphasized), the article THE not used. When it means specific institution or building, article THE used.
As for other nouns denoting places, THE is most often used with them: the beach, the station, the coast, the seaside, the city, the countryside.
With the words cinema and theater, the article THE is used even when the speaker does not mean a specific place:
We go to the cinema every weekend.
They have never been to the theatre.
Why is the article used with these words? The explanation is that when we use them, it is clear from the context what we mean, and the interlocutor understands what is being said. Consider examples of situations where it is clear from the situation itself what place we are talking about:
1. When, being in a room or apartment, we talk about its parts:
Switch on the light! - Turn on the lights! (In this room, in the room where you are)
I closed the door and opened the window. - I closed the door and opened the window. (In the room where I was at that moment, in my room)
The floor was clean. - The floor was clean. (The floor in the room I was in.)
2. When we talk about the buildings of the city, if it is clear which city we are talking about:
Where is the railway station? - Where is the railway station? (The station of this city. If there are several stations in the city, you will have to specify which one you need. If you are close to the station, then the interlocutor will understand that you are asking about the nearest station)
The city hall is very old. - The City Hall building is very old. (There is one mayor's office in the city, respectively, your interlocutor will understand what is at stake)
The market was crowded in the morning. - The market was crowded in the morning. (The market of this city; the nearest market; the market that the speaker goes to)
3. When referring to organizations providing services, if it is clear from the context what exactly the speaker means:
I need to go to the bank tomorrow. - I have to go to the bank tomorrow. (Bank where I have an account; nearest bank; bank I use)
Tom went to the post office to send a letter. Tom went to the post office to send a letter. (Meaning the nearest post office; the only one in this city)
You should go to the doctor. - You should go to the doctor. (To your doctor)
She is seeing the dentist on Friday. She is going to see the dentist on Friday. (To your dentist).
Be careful, in some situations, of course, the article A can be used. Most often, when the speaker means: "any", "one of many", "it doesn't matter which", "any":
How to determine if the article THE is needed with uncountable nouns and nouns in the plural?
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Articles are an important part of the English language. But unfortunately, this topic is not always clear to Russian-speaking students. Because there is no such phenomenon in their native speech. the rules for using articles must be studied by a person who wants to competently use various means of the English language. And in some situations, small and seemingly insignificant articles even help to correctly understand the interlocutors.
What are articles and what are they
An article is one that is inextricably linked with a noun. It does not have its own meaning (translation into Russian), but conveys only a grammatical meaning.
In English, the article does not indicate the gender and case of nouns. It conveys in some cases the only thing or but basically carries only the category of certainty-uncertainty. Based on this, there can be three situations with the article: its absence, indefinite and definite. Each of these three situations has its own specifics and its own rules.
The definite article was once formed from that. Therefore, in Russian one can often find the translation of “this”, “these”, etc. Formally, this is not entirely true, because the service parts of speech do not have a translation, but in the case of the article, especially certain, this is often allowed. It's all about the special stylistic function that he can play in a sentence, pointing in a special way to objects and people.
The use of the article the will be the topic of this article. We will consider various situations, give examples. There will be quite a lot of cases of use, but do not be alarmed if you cannot understand everything at once and even more so remember. As you immerse yourself more and more in the English language through constant practice, you will understand this logic and soon you will be able to easily determine which article is needed in each case.
Definite article before nouns
The classic case is when it is necessary to use the article the before the name of an object (person, animal), - the latter.
1. The called noun is the only one of its kind.
For example: the sun - the sun, the world - the world.
2. The noun is unique in this situation.
Do you like the pie? − Did you like the pie?
3. This subject (person, animal) has already been mentioned in this conversation and therefore the interlocutors understand what (whom) they are talking about.
I've got a cat. Her name is Lucy, she's very cute. May I take the cat with me? − I have a cat. Her name is Lucy, she is very sweet. Can I take my cat with me?
4. Such an article is also put before proper names when it is necessary to designate a whole family. For example: the Smiths.
Definite article before other parts of speech
Of course, the article the and any others are used only with nouns. Articles are not needed before other parts of speech. But it often happens that between the article and the noun associated with it there is a numeral or adjective. We will consider such cases.
1. The definite article is always placed before ordinal numbers: the century twentieth - the twentieth century.
2. The article the is also invariably placed before adjectives: the brightest star is the brightest star.
3. It is necessary to use the definite article when referring to a group of people united by a common feature: the young.
Definite article with geographical names and concepts
With those concepts that somehow relate to geography, the article the is used especially often.
1. Cardinal directions: the East (East).
2. Names of individual countries: the Russian Federation.
3. Oceans, seas, rivers, waterfalls: the Indian Ocean.
4. Groups of islands, lakes, mountains: the Bahamas.
5. Deserts and plains: the Great Plains.
There are also many exceptions to the use of the article (or lack of it) with geographical names, so the most reliable option is simple memorization. And if you have any doubts, you should always look into the grammar guide and clarify the question in a specific case.
The definite article in special cases
There are also a number of words that can act as a definition before a noun. These words are given in the table below.
previous |
|
past, past, last |
|
the only one |
|
next |
|
next |
|
forthcoming |
|
correct, right |
|
central |
|
exactly the same one |
|
wrong, wrong |
|
the same |
|
upper, superior |
|
You should always use the English article the with them. For example:
This is the very book I need! This is exactly the book I need!
The last time I saw him was Friday - The last time I saw him was Friday.
The definite article is also required before the words:
Definite article to enhance meaning
Separately, situations are distinguished when the article the carries a stylistic function. In these cases, it can be used before proper names, which under normal conditions remain without an article. This is best seen with an example. Compare two sentences: the first with the usual use of a proper name, and the second with a stylistic amplification of meaning.
This is Jack, always cheerful and generous! - This is Jack, always cheerful and generous!
This is the Jack I love most − cheerful and generous! - This is the same Jack that I love the most - cheerful and generous!
As it is easy to see, there is something common in all cases of using the definite article: it is usually placed before words that carry a specific, specific, narrow, unique meaning. Keep this in mind when you doubt the choice of a service word, and the reference book is not at hand.
1. The definite article the comes from the demonstrative pronoun this this and can determine countable and uncountable nouns both in the singular and in the plural.
The definite article has two pronunciations: [ze] if it is followed by a word beginning with a consonant sound:
the theater
and, [zi] if the word following it begins with a vowel sound:
the apple - apple
the English lesson - English lesson
2. The definite article is usually used in the following cases:
a. If the noun has already been mentioned or from the context it is clear what subject (or person) is being discussed:
This is a map. The map is large.
This is a map. The map (mentioned in the first sentence) is large.
My children are in the village.
My children are in the village (the interlocutors know which village they are talking about).
b. If the noun is one of a kind or in this situation:
"The Red Book of the USSR" was published in 1978.
"The Red Book of the USSR" was published in 1978.
c. If a noun determined by ordinal number or superlative adjectives:
The first wealth is health.
Health is the first wealth.
d. If the noun has limiting definition, answering the questions what ?, whose ?, which ?, which can be expressed either by a noun with a preposition, or by a subordinate attributive clause, or by participial turnover:
People who have a sense of humor usually have the power of sympathy strongly developed.
People who have a sense of humor usually have a highly developed sense of empathy.
e. Before nouns denoting a substance, if we are talking about a certain amount of this substance, which can sometimes be seen from the context:
Pass the milk, please.
Pass the milk, please.
The water in the glass is very cold.
The water in the glass is very cold.
f. Before nouns denoting parts of the day:
I get up at seven in the morning.
I get up at seven in the morning.
g. Before surnames used in the plural to refer to members of the same family:
Not used to come to the Simonovs on Sundays.
On Sundays he usually came to the Simonovs.
h. Before names of theaters, cinemas, museums, art galleries, hotels, ships, newspapers, magazines etc.:
The British Museum was founded in 1753.
The British Museum was founded in 1753.
The Kremlin Palace of Congresses near the Troitsky gates was opened on October 17, 1961.
The Kremlin Palace of Congresses near the Trinity Gate opened on October 17, 1961.
i. Before names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, parts of the world:
Have you ever been to the Black Sea shore?
Have you ever been to the Black Sea coast?
The Urals divide the territory of Russia into European and Asian parts.
The Ural Mountains divide the territory of Russia into European and Asian parts.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe.
j. Before names of grammatical categories(time, mood, pledge, case, etc.):
Some verbs in the Russian language are never used in the Passive Voice.
In Russian, some verbs are never used in the passive voice.
k. Before names of peoples, nationalities:
When at Rome, do as the Romans do.
When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do.
l. Before the following names of countries, localities and cities:
the Ukraine Ukraine
the Crimea
the Caucasus
the Congo Congo
the Netherlands
the Hague The Hague
the Lebanon
l like the sunny Crimea.
I love sunny Crimea.
m. Before geographical names, which are a combination of a common noun with a preceding defined word:
the United States
the English Channel - English Channel (English Channel)
Articles are the main determiners of names nouns. Before using any noun, it is necessary to decide whether it is definite or indefinite, i.e. It is necessary to imagine what subject is being discussed: about a specific or any.
In English, the article is almost always used before nouns:- Articles a and an are called indefinite article (the Indefinite Article)
- The is called certain article (the Definite Article)
Consider three cases: when the indefinite article is used before the noun, when the definite article is used, and when the article is not used before the noun.
Indefinite article
a used before words that begin with a consonant.
an used before words that begin with a vowel.
A noun with an indefinite article is the name of an object in general, and not the name of a specific object. For example, a student evokes the idea of a student in general, that is, a student of a higher educational institution, but not of a specific person.
The meaning of the indefinite article can be expressed in Russian with such words as one, one of, some, any, any, any, any, each.
The indefinite article is used with singular countable nouns. It is not used in the plural, sometimes it is replaced by indefinite pronouns some (several) any (any, anyone).
Definite article
The definite article has only one form: the. individualizing article the derived from demonstrative pronoun that- that.
No article: zero article
No indefinite article
The indefinite article is not used:
- before plural nouns
an article - articles
- abstract nouns
imagination - imagination - nouns mi real, uncountable(nouns that cannot be counted, for example, you cannot say: three waters).
water (water), salt (salt), tea (tea)
If there is a definition before the noun, then the article is placed before this definition:
a story (story)
an interesting story (interesting story)
substitution rule
Use of the indefinite article
1. Indefinite article is used before a noun when it only names an object, classifies it as a representative of a certain kind of objects, but does not single out it specifically.
- a table - some table (just a table, not a chair)
a chair
2. when mentioning an object or person for the first time
- That "s a pretty girl. - Beautiful girl
3. in a general sense:
A noun with an indefinite article in this sense means: any, anyone.
- A cow gives milk.
A cow (any) gives milk.
3. with professions:
- My Dad is a Doctor. - My dad is a doctor.
She "s an architect. - She is an architect.
4. with some quantity expressions:
- a pair
a little - a little
a few - a few
5. in exclamatory sentences: before a singular countable noun after the word what (what).
- What a beautiful day! - What a wonderful day!
What a pity! - What a pity!
Use of the definite article
Definite article is put in the event that the subject or person in question is known to both the speaker and the listener (from the context, the environment, or as previously mentioned in this speech).
- It is a chair - this is a chair
The chair is at the table - the chair is near the table
Try to substitute the word this or that before the noun. If the meaning of what is being said does not change, then the definite article must be put before the noun, and if it changes, then the indefinite article is put before the noun in the singular (if it is countable), and not put before the plural noun at all.
1. Re-mentioned when it is clear from the previous text what it is about:
- The girl was beautiful. (This) girl was beautiful.
2. Clear in a situation where it is clear what/who is meant:
- The lesson is over. - The lesson is over.
3. Having an individuating definition, that is, a definition that distinguishes this person or object from a number of similar ones.
- 3.1. Definition, naming a sign
:
This is the house that Jack built. This is the house that Jack built. - 3.2. Definition, expressed by the adjective in the superlative form e
This is the shortest way to the river - This is the shortest way to the river - 3.3. Definition, expressed by ordinal number
He missed the first lecture. - He missed the first lecture - 3.4. Definition, expressed by proper name
the Bristol road - the road to Bristol. - 3.5. Definitions expressed in words:
The next stop is ours. “The next stop is ours.
4. Before singular nouns:
- the sun - the sun
the moon - the moon
the Earth
the floor - floor (one in the room)
the sea - the sea (the only one in the area)
5. Before adjectives and participles that have turned into nouns, with a plural meaning:
- the strong- strong the old- old men, the young- the youth,
Absence of an article (zero article
1. If there is a pronoun before the noun or nouns in the possessive case.
My room is large - My room is large.
2. A noun is used without an article in the plural in those cases:
- 2.1. when singular in front of him there would be an indefinite article:
I saw a letter on the table. — I saw a letter on the table.
I saw letters on the table. — I saw the letters on the table.
3. Uncountable real nouns.
water water, milk milk, chalk chalk, sugar sugar, tea tea, snow snow, grass grass, wool wool, meat meat and others.
4. Uncountable abstract nouns (abstract concepts).
weather weather, music music, power force, knowledge knowledge, art art, history history, mathematics mathematics, light light, love love, life life, time time
I like music - I love music.
But at the same time, some abstract nouns can be used with the indefinite article, expressing a kind of quality, state.
He got a good education. He received a good education.
In English, plural nouns may be preceded by a definite article, the pronoun some (any), or the determiner may be absent.
Rules for using the pronoun some
If it is possible to put one of the words before a Russian noun: several, some, some, some, before the corresponding noun in the English sentence there is the pronoun some (any).
If none of these words can be placed before the Russian noun, then there is no determiner before the corresponding noun in the English sentence.
I bought some apples yesterday - I bought apples yesterday (a few, some apples)
