Before what words is the article a the used? The definite article the in English. Countable nouns with adjectives

Used before singular and plural nouns when talking about something definite, specific.

The criminals robbed the bank . – Criminals robbed a bank (of some specific kind).

Please close the door. – Please close the door (not any door in the house, but this door).

In other words, if you can add “some” before a noun, then there will be an indefinite article, and if “that same \ those same ones” fits, then there will be a definite article.

The definite article is also used with nouns that mean:

1. Something unique, existing in a single copy

the Sun - the sun,

the Columbia river - the Columbia River.

(about the article before proper names, see below)

2. Periods (segments) of time

in the morning - in the morning,

in the past - in the past.

3. Before adjectives in the superlative degree

the biggest mall in Moscow is the largest shopping center in Moscow.

The article can quite significantly change the meaning of the entire sentence. For example:

I met a girl yesterday. – I met a girl on the street (I was just walking and saw some girl).

I met the girl yesterday. – I met a girl yesterday (I saw THAT SAME girl, for example, the love of my life).

Zero articles in English

In some cases, the article is not used at all before the noun, for example:

1. It means something very general

Crime and punishment. – Crime (in general) and punishment (in general).

Life is strange. – Life is strange (life in general).

2. Before the names of days of the week, months, seasons

See you on Monday. - See you on Monday.

August is the last month in summer. – August is the last month of summer.

3. Before words denoting food intake

Let's have breakfast. - Let's have breakfast.

Lunch is ready. - Lunch is ready.

Article before proper names

Difficulties with articles arise when we are faced with the issue of using articles before proper names. You probably noticed that, for example, there is no article before some geographical names, while others are preceded by the. Let us first consider when articles before proper names are not needed.

When the article is NOT placed before a proper noun

In most cases, articles are not used before proper names. A proper name denotes a specific person or thing, this is understandable even without an article, so usually the article is not needed.

Here are examples of such cases:

1. Before names.

Jonh, Misha Sidorov, Lewis.

2. Before names with a form of address or title, degree, etc.

General Pupkin, Professor Pavlov, Mr. White.

3. Before common nouns that serve as addresses.

Essentially, they are treated as a proper noun:

How are you doing, sergeant? - How are you, Sergeant?

How can I help you, professor? - How can I help you, professor?

4. Before the names of family members, if they are used by members of the same family.

In such cases, the words father, mother, sister, etc. are used practically as proper names.

Let's see what mom says - Let's see what mom says.

I’ve got to ask father about it - I have to ask my father about this.

Note: the word “mother” is written in the USA mom, and in Great Britain - mum.

When an article is needed before a proper name

There are cases when the article the is placed before proper names. There is not always a pattern in them, here are some typical cases:

1. Before plural surnames in the meaning “such and such family”:

The Whites live in Albuquerque – The Whites (the White family) live in Albuquerque.

Have you invited the Petrovs? – Did you invite the Petrovs (Petrov family)?

2. Before some geographical names.

This is a rather confusing point, since in the use of the article before toponyms, in some places there are patterns, in others there are not, and in others it is possible both ways. For example, on maps, articles are never written before names to save space. Some general patterns and exceptions are well described in this video from Puzzle English:

My personal note: I never tried to remember all the nuances of using articles before geographical names. And that's why. I use them very rarely in speech, and if I do use them, they are the same ones (I’m from Russia). Even if I memorize everything that Anton talks about in the video, I will still happily forget most of it, because this knowledge is rarely useful. I don’t see anything wrong with looking in a reference book or Googling in a difficult situation. When I write in Russian, I often have to turn to reference literature (anyone who writes something by line of work will say the same thing), let alone talk about foreign languages.

English articles in set expressions

There are a number of set expressions in which the definite or indefinite article is used.

Set expressions with the indefinite article A/AN
a few	some
a little	A little
a lot of	a lot of
a great deal of	a lot of
a good deal	a lot of
as a rule	usually
as a result	as a result
as a matter of fact	as a matter of fact
at a speed of	with speed
at a time when	during the time when
for a while	for a while
for a long (short) time	for a long (short) time
in a low (loud) voice	in a quiet (loud) voice
to be in a hurry	hurry
to go for a walk	to go for a walk
to have a cold	have a cold
to have a good time	have a good time
to have a mind	mean
to have a look	take a look
to have a smoke	light a cigarette
to have a rest	relax
to take a seat	sit down
to tell a lie	lie
It is a pity	it's a pity
It is a pleasure.	With pleasure.
What a shame!	What a disgrace!
Set expressions with the definite article THE
by the way	by the way
in the morning	in the morning
in the afternoon	during the day
in the evening	In the evening
in the country	outside the city, in the village
in the past	in past
in the present	present
in the future	in future
in the distance	in the distance
in the plural	in plural
in the singular	singular
in the street	on the street
just the same	the same
on the one hand… on the other hand	on the one hand on the other hand
on the right (left)	right left)
in the whole	in general, in general
out of the question	impossible, out of the question
on the other day	the other day (in relation to the past)
the day after tomorrow	day after tomorrow
the day before yesterday	day before yesterday
to go to the theater (the cinema)	go to the theater (cinema)
to go to the country	to go out of town
to pass the time	spend time
to play the piano (guitar, violin, etc)	play the piano (guitar, violin, etc.)
to tell the truth	tell the truth (but speaking about lies – to tell a lie)
to tell the time	tell what time it is
to the right (left)	right left)
What is the time?	What time is it now?
Set expressions WITHOUT articles
to ask permission	ask permission
to be in bed	lie in bed, get sick
to be at home	be at home
to be at school	be at school
to be at table	be at the table (at the meal)
to be in town	be in town
to be on holiday	to be on vacation
to declare war	to declare a war
to go by water (air, sea, land)	travel by water (air, sea, land)
to go home	Go home
to go to bed	go to sleep
to go to school	go to school (study)
to go to sea	become a sailor
to go to town	go to town
to keep house	run a household
to leave school	to graduate school
to leave town	leave the city
to make haste	hurry
to make use of	use
to play chess (cards, hockey, etc.)	play chess (cards, hockey, etc.)
to take care	take care
to take part	participate
to take place	take place
to go by bus (car, train)	go by bus (car, train)
at breakfast (dinner, supper)	at breakfast (lunch, dinner)
at hand	at hand
at home	Houses
at night	at night
at peace	in the world
at present	currently
at school	at school (in class)
at sunrise	at dawn
at sunset	On the Sunset
at table	at the table
at war	at war
at work	At work
by air	by air
by chance	accidentally
by day	during the day
by hand	by hand
by heart	by heart
by land	by land
by sea	by sea
by mail	by mail
by means of	through
by mistake	wrong
by name	by name
by night	at night
by phone	by phone
by post	by mail
by train (bus, taxi, etc.)	by train (bus, taxi, etc.)
in conclusion	Finally
in debt	in debt
in detail	in detail
in fact	really
in mind	mentally
in time	during
in trouble	in trouble
on board	on board
on business	on business
on credit	on credit
on deck	on deck
on foot	on foot
on holiday	on holiday
on sale	on sale

Many foreign languages ​​have such a concept as an article. Starting to study grammar with this topic would be a good option for those who want to know English. The article (the rule of use will help you understand the question) is a functional part of speech in the English language. It shows certainty or uncertainty. Below in the text are the rules for its use when the article a (an), the is omitted.

Types of articles

There are two types of articles in English:

• definite - the;
• indefinite - a (an) (two forms).

The definite article shows that we are talking about some well-known or familiar object that is more individualized and stands out from others in some way. And indefinite indicates a more generalized meaning or an object that appears in the text for the first time. Examples:

The girl has a dog./The girl has a dog.

From this sentence it can be understood that we are talking about a specific girl who is already familiar to the reader and she was previously mentioned in the text, but the word “dog” is more general, what kind of dog is unknown.

Origin

We have already found out that in English there is such a part of speech as the article: a (an), the. They originally came from other words and to some extent retained their old meaning.

For example, the definite article is a shortened form of the word that (that, that), which is why it carries such a specific meaning.

Comes from the word one (someone, some).

Definite article

In English, the definite article has two functions: the first of them is specifying, and the other is generalizing. And this part of speech is used if a person knows exactly what object is being discussed, or if this object is unique.

The definite article in a specific meaning

• It is used if one item stands out from the entire set, it has some excellent parameters, it stands out due to a unique case, context. Before adjectives in

He is the best player in our team./He is the best player in our team.

• Placed before the words following, last, next, only and very. They make the noun more specific.

And not the next day./And not the next day.

• Superlative adjectives are also preceded by a definite article.

It is the worst day in my life./This is the worst day in my life.

The definite article in its general meaning

• Generalizing - when a noun can be attributed to a whole type of object.

Examples include the German Shepherd - the double coat is straight, and short length./For example, the German Shepherd. The coat has two characteristics: straight and short.

Here we are talking about all dogs belonging to a specific breed.

• Omitted if replaced by a possessive pronoun.

She sure had some love for her German Shepards./She definitely loves her German Shepherds.

• If you can put the word “this” in front of a noun.

The hotel also features easy access to the several subway stations./The hotel (this hotel) is also easily accessible from several subway stations.

• When indicating the era, significant events.

The First World War./First World War.

• Before uncountable nouns, only if we are talking about a certain volume of a substance.

And then the farmer has to find another way to deliver the juice./Then the farmer will have to find another way to produce juice.

• Before the names of body parts.

The hand/hand.

• Before social classes and strata of society.

The police./Police officers.

The definite article with proper names and some names

The table below will help you better understand how to use articles with proper names and some names. All the words below must be preceded by the definite article the.

Proper names	Examples
Rivers	the Nakdong
Newspaper names	the Washington Post
Geographical names	the North Pole
Objects from astronomy	the Moon
Mountain names	the Andes
Cardinal directions	in the East
Surnames in the plural (meaning all family members)	the Adamsons
Channels	the Nicaragua Canal
City districts	the West End
Nationalities	the Italian
Unique architectural structures	the Winter Palace
Deserts	the Bolivian
Names of reservoirs	the Black Sea
Vessel names	the Aurora
Some countries	the Argentina
Nicknames	the Tall Ben

Definite article. Plural

• If the definite article is used before a word in the singular, then it is also placed before it in the plural.

You can bring the ball with, if you want./If you want, take the ball with you.

You can bring the balls with, if you want./If you want, take the balls with you.

• Also, the article remains before the plural if we are talking about a group as a whole.

The members of Golf club can breathe fresh air./Members of the golf club can breathe fresh air. (Everyone can breathe fresh air).

Indefinite article a (an)

Use “a” if the first letter in the word is a consonant, “an” if it is a vowel:

• a table, a carpet, a dog/table, carpet, dog;
• an elephant, an eagle, an orange.

Exceptions to the rule:

• the article "a" is always placed before words that begin with the letter "u" if it is pronounced as /ju:/ (English is a universal language);
• before the words “one”, “ones” the article “a” is always used (a one-parent family);
• If abbreviations begin with a consonant, but are read with a vowel (F is pronounced like /ef/), then the indefinite article “an” (an FBI agent) is always used before them.

Classifying, generalizing and numeral meaning of the indefinite article

• In expressive sentences, in exclamatory sentences that begin with the word what, the indefinite article is used.

What a great!/How great!

• With singular nouns preceded by words such as rather, quite, such and most.

In a rather prescient way./Very far-sighted.

• If a noun is a generalizing meaning for an entire class, type, layer, etc., then an indefinite article is placed before it. Most often, such a noun appears at the beginning of a sentence and does not carry any important information. More significant details are described later in the text.

A newspaper text is a very laconic and relevant essay./Newspaper text is a laconic and relevant essay.

• In its numerical value, the article denotes its original meaning - one.

I can stay in Paris for only a day./I could stay in Paris for just a day. (Here it is clear that the particle -a can be replaced by one, the word from which the article a (an) was formed (the - from that). In this sentence, the particle takes its usual place).

The indefinite article a (an). Plural

Articles that are used before nouns in the singular are not used in the plural.

She had a book of astrology./She had a book on astrology.

She had two books./She had two books. (As you can see, the article is omitted.)

Proper names and articles a (an)

The article a (an) is used before if they:

• unknown

A Mr. Anderson has come to see you./A certain Mr. Anderson has come to see you.

• used as common nouns

You think, I am a Leonardoda Vinci?/Do you think I am Leonardo da Vinci?

• point to individual family members

It is no wonder; in fact, she is a Smith./No wonder, because she is Smith.

• describe the position of a place or object

We saw a rebuild Rome./We saw Rome rebuilt.

In addition, there are stable expressions that, regardless of the context, never change and always remain in their place. You just need to learn these phrases:

a few/several, it is a pity/sorry, a little/a little, etc.

When the article is not needed

In English there is such a thing as when it is absent in sentences before nouns. Cases where the article is omitted have already been mentioned in the article. Let's look at a few more typical rules.

• If the nouns are preceded by the adjectives old/old, little/small, poor/poor, lazy/lazy, honest/honest.

She is little girl./She is a little girl.

• If there is no definition for the noun.

I do not like Peter./I don’t like Peter.

• Before titles, titles.

Lord Green./Lord Green.

Exercises on articles

To consolidate the acquired knowledge, you need to do several exercises. Then check your answers with the keys and analyze the errors. For example, you can do the task below.

Fill in the missing article a (an), the:

Paris is…beautiful town./Paris is a beautiful city.

What's going on? I think it's … salute./What's going on? I think it's a fireworks.

Britney Spears is ... singer./Britney Spears is a singer.

This is Nick. He is... engineer./This is Nick. He is an engineer.

… spider has eight legs./Spiders have eight legs.

It is... tomato./This is a tomato.

I am...nurse./I am a nurse.

She is... best./She is the best.

To take... seat./Sit down.

In... country./In the country.

Answers to the exercise. How to correctly insert the article a (an), the:

1. a. 2. a. 3.a. 4. an. 5. a. 6. a. 7. a. 8. the. 9. a. 10. the.

The rules for using articles in English are equally important for children and adults who want to communicate competently. Such a grammatical phenomenon cannot be found in Russian, which complicates the task of learning English.

What articles exist

In English, there are two types of particles that always refer to a noun:

• The indefinite article a/an is used with singular words. The speaker mentions an object or person for the first time:

Jack has just received a business letter. Jack has just received a business letter.

I have seen an umbrella in that shop. – I saw an umbrella in that store.

• The definite article the is used in both singular and plural if all participants in the conversation know what is being discussed, or the subject is one of a kind:

My mum has found a kitten in the park. The kitten is very nice. – Mom found a kitten in the park. This kitten is very cute.

(The first time the word “kitten” is used with an indefinite article, since the interlocutor has not heard of it before. The second time - with a definite article, since they are talking about this particular pet. The word “park” appears with a definite article, since they mean a specific place. )

The Mars goes round the Sun. – Mars revolves around the sun.

(Both celestial bodies are presented in a single copy.)

In English grammar there is a place for such a phenomenon as the zero article. In this case, the and a/an are not used before the noun. This happens when the place in front of the noun is occupied by a possessive, demonstrative pronoun, or another part of speech (other than an adjective).

This is my laptop. - This is my laptop.

Table Rules for the use of articles in English

To systematize all cases of using articles, as well as moments when these particles are not needed, it is necessary to study the table with examples.

TOP 4 articleswho are reading along with this

Article	Cases of use	Examples with translation
the	repeated mention of the same concept	There was a vase on the floor. In the vase you could see a lot of flowers. – There was a large vase on the floor. You could see many flowers in the vase.
	a person or thing that exists in a single copy in general or in a specific setting	The Moon can be seen at night. – The moon can be seen at night.
	a superlative adjective is placed before the word	Jane was the tallest among other girls. – Jane was the tallest among the other girls.
	an ordinal number was used before the noun	It is the first time when I see this picture. – I see this picture for the first time.
	with names of rivers, seas, oceans, deserts, mountain ranges, island groups	You can see the Nile in Egypt. – You can see the Nile River in Egypt.
	with the names of the cardinal directions	The traveler went to the North. — The travelers went north.
	with words denoting the class of animals, objects, etc.	The ant is a very useful insect. – An ant is a very useful insect.
	when calling the whole family by last name	The Suvorovs visited us last summer. – The Suvorovs came to us last summer.
	after the expressions some/one/both/all/many/most of	Some of the dogs were ill. – Some dogs were sick.
a/an	first message about an item in the singular	There was a woman standing near the window. “There was a woman standing at the window.
	name of profession	My younger brother is a pilot. - My younger brother is a pilot.
	in a compound nominal predicate	Sam is a good friend. – Sam is a good friend.
	association of an object with a whole group of similar ones	He gave me a coin. - He gave me some coin.
	after words such/rather/quite/most/what	She is such a lovely creature. - She is such a sweet creature.
zero article	after pronouns, other nouns in the possessive case, numerals	Two boys were playing badminton outside. – Two boys were playing badminton on the street.
	when generalizing countable objects in the plural	Dogs are friendlier than cats. – Dogs are friendlier than cats.
	with names of countries, continents, streets, cities	I would like to live in Canada. – I would like to live in Canada.
	before uncountable nouns	I can't stand milk. - I can't stand milk.
	before names and surnames of people	Ilya Repin was a great painter. – Ilya Repin was a great artist.
	in stable combinations: for lunch, at night, to school, from work, etc.	The Smirnovs invited us for lunch. – The Smirnovs invited us to dinner.

A And an are called the indefinite article. The is called the definite article.

Indefinite article a used before words beginning with a consonant: a face a camera a used before u And eu when they are pronounced like y (/j/): a university, a euro.

Indefinite article an used before words starting with a vowel sound: an arm, an onion Also the indefinite article an used before words starting with h, When h unreadable: an hour, an honor.

A series of articles will soon appear on the blog in which the use of articles will be discussed in detail. This article only covers the main points.

A/an

Indefinite article a/an came from the numeral one, and is used only with singular countable nouns.

The indefinite article is used in the following cases:

• When we talk about a person and an object that mentioned for the first time, and is unknown to the interlocutor or reader.

I've been to a concert recently. — I recently went to a concert.

I live in a small town. - I live in a small town.

• When we talk about any a person or object from some class.

A triangle has three sides. — A triangle has three sides.

• With titles professions or type of activity.

My brother is a pilot, and I am a student. — My brother is a pilot, and I am a student.

The

Definite article the derived from the demonstrative pronoun that, and is used with countable nouns in both the singular and plural.

The definite article is used in the following cases:

• When we talk about a person or thing that previously mentioned in conversation or text.

I went outside and saw a car parked in front of my house. The car seemed familiar. — I went outside and saw a car parked in front of my house. The car seemed familiar to me.

• When it is clear from the context or situation that which one exactly person or thing we are talking about.

I'm going to the supermarket. — I'm going to the supermarket (the one where I usually go).

Could you open the window? — Please open the window (the window in this room).

• When we talk about a person or thing, one of a kind.

The Moon revolves around the Earth in an elliptical orbit. — The Moon revolves around the Earth in an elliptical orbit.

• With adjectives in excellent degrees.

You are the best mom ever! - You are the best mother.

5. With many expressions with of.

In the middle of the night

At the end of my holiday

The and absence of article

The is used in the following cases:

• In the names of countries that are formed using the plural, or in which there are words Kingdom or Republic.

the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom

• With the names of everything related to water: oceans, rivers, seas, bays, straits (except for the names of individual lakes, which are used without an article)

the Baltic Sea, the British Channel, the Pacific Ocean, the Persian Gulf

• With the names of mountain ranges (the names of individual mountain peaks are used without an article).

the Alps, the Apennines

• With names of parts of the day.

in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening

• With many prepositions of place and time.

on the right, at the bottom

The article is not used in the following cases:

• With the names of most countries, cities and continents

Asia, Saudi Arabia, Beijing

• With the names of individual mountain peaks and lakes

Mountblanc, Lake Titicaca

• With exact indications of day, month and time

on Monday, at nine o"clock, in July

• With some prepositional phrases of place

at work, at home, in bed

School, university, hospital, prison, church, etc.

Compare:

1. Tim is studying maths at university. — Tim is studying mathematics at the university.

There is a large park not far from the university. — Not far from the university there is a large park.

2. He won't be in hospital for two weeks. — He will be in the hospital for two weeks.

Is there a chemist's shop in the hospital? — Is there a pharmacy in the hospital?

3. The kids go to school by bus. — Children go to school by bus.

There was a fire at the school last year — Last year there was a fire at the school.

If someone is in school/hospital/prison, etc., because he is a student/patient/prisoner, then the article not used.

If someone is in a school/hospital/prison for some other reason, or if we mean a building, then it is used the.

How well do you know this grammatical topic?

Test yourself! You can find all online tests on the rules for using articles.

The article is one of the determiners of a noun and is placed before the noun or before words that are definitions for it.

Indefinite article

Indefinite article a (an- before words starting with a vowel) comes from the numeral one and means one of many, some, any.

If a noun in the singular is preceded by an indefinite article, then in the plural it is omitted.

This is a book. These are books.

Thus, the indefinite article a(an) can only be used before singular nouns.

Definite article

Definite article the comes from the demonstrative pronoun that. Often translated into words this, this, this, these. Used before nouns in both singular and plural.

The definite article is used:

When we are talking about a specific person or thing.

Before a noun if it is preceded by a superlative adjective or an ordinal number.

What is the longest river in the world? He wasn't the first to come.

Before geographical names (names of oceans, seas, rivers, mountain ranges, parts of the world, etc.).

The indian ocean, the Baltic sea, the North, the Thames, the Alps.

Before nouns that are unique in their kind.

What is the highest mountain in the world?

In a number of expressions such as

in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon, etc.

If you are mentioning something for the first time, use the article a (an). The next time you mention this item or provide details, use the.

I have a dog.
The dog is black and has white ears.

Zero article

Zero article. Articles are not used:

If any noun is used in its most general meaning.

Crime is a probe in most big cities. Crime as such, and not any specific crime.
Life has changed a lot in the last two years. Life as such, in general.

Before proper names (names of countries, cities, states, provinces, lakes, mountain peaks; the exception is the union of states or the plural in the name, for example, The United States, The Netherlands):

England, Russia, London, Mr. Johnson, Tuscany.

However, before surnames used in the plural to designate members of the same family, the definite article is used.

The Johnsons. Johnson family.

Before the names of seasons, months and days of the week.

He always goes the South in summer. English classes are on Monday.

In cases where we are talking about eating, using transport, and also when we are talking about places (for example: home, work, hospital, university, church, prison, etc.)

I go home by bus.
I go to school.(I am a student)
We have dinner at 2 o'clock.

Important!

In the previous example - I go to school the article is not used, since it is implied that I am a student Therefore, the purpose of going to school lies in the purpose of the building itself - study.

But such a situation is also possible I go to the school. In this case, this means that the purpose of the visit to the school is different. For example, I go to the school, because I want to see the head master.

My mother is in hospital now. (She's ill.)
Every day I go to the hospital to see her.