The Writing

Indefinite Articles: a/an

 

An indefinite article is used to modify a non-specific or non-particular noun that refers to any member of a group.

They can also signify membership in a group.

 

The Basics

 

• a before consonants (a book)

• an before vowels (an exam)

• Pronunciation may alter these rules

  • Example 1: an hour (h is a consonant but is silent and sounds like 'our')

  • Example 2: a user ( u is a vowel but sounds like 'yoo-zer' which is a consonant 'y' sound)

• temporary illnesses (a headache, a fever)

• Indefinite singular count nouns ( a dog, a hamburger, a cup)

 

Definite Article: the

 

Unlike indefinite articles, 'the' has many more uses in the English language.

 

• Definite singular count nouns (the puppy in the window, the hamburger I ordered, the red book)

• Plural count nouns (use 'the' or nothing, never 'a')

  • Look at the children. (definite)

  • The flowers in her garden are beautiful. (definite)

  • Children are always curious. (indefinite)

  • She loves flowers. (indefinite)

• Non-Count nouns

  • He has the experience necessary for the job.

  • The medicine the doctor prescribed had unpleasant side effects.

• Adjectives as nouns

  • the elderly

  • the sick

  • the needy

• Names of countries if the name is plural, contains an adjective, or includes 'of'.

  • The United States

  • The Soviet Union

  • The Republic of Congo

• Rivers, Oceans, Seas, Groups of Mountains and Islands.

  • the Amazon

  • the Hawaiian Islands

  • the Cascades

• Ordinal Numbers

  • the seventh page

  • The Second World War

  • the first mission

• Titles of people when used without a name

  • The president

  • The queen

  • The professor

• Schools when there is 'of' in the title

  • The University of Arizona

  • The University of London

• Location vs Activity

  • I am going to school now. (activity-study)

  • The new student had trouble finding the class. (location-classroom)