LICEUL DE MUZICA SI ARTE PLASTICE ALBA IULIA

THE ARTICLE

THE ARTICLE

The three articles — a, an, the — are a kind of adjective. The is called the definite article because it usually precedes a specific or previously mentioned noun; a and an are called indefinite articles because they are used to refer to something in a less specific manner (an unspecified count noun). These words are also listed among the noun markers or determiners because they are almost invariably followed by a noun (or something else acting as a noun).

The Definite Article - THE- Before a noun which has been used previously My house is not far from a river. But the river is very polluted.- Before nouns known both by the speaker and the interlocutor The garden looks very nice today. The boss has asked about you

The article

Before unique nouns , such as : the sun , the moon , the Earth , the sky , the Equator

The Equator is an imaginary line in the middle of the Earth.

- Before a noun which represents a category of animals,plants or things

The rose is a symbol of beauty and love.The nightingale is a singing bird.Even children can use the computer

nowadays.

- Before proper nouns used in the plural The Tudors reigned in England for more than a century.- Before names of days , months, years and seasons, when

we mention one in particular The year 2001 was the beginning of a new millenium. The whole country was covered with snow until the month

of May.- Before names of countries , when they are in the plural :

the Netherlands , the USA Yhe USA is a military force in the world

. Before names of rivers , seas and oceans ,islands , mountains , deserts : the Danube , the Thames , the Black Sea ,the North Sea , the Pacific Ocean, the British Isles, the Carpathians , the Alps , the

Sahara DesertThe Pacific Ocean is the largest Ocean.

- Before nouns which name historical periods and events : the Stone Age , the Middle Age , the Civil War ,the French Revolution, the

Declaration of Independence- Before names of buildings which represents official institutions : the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the British Museum, the

White House- Before names of newspapers and magazines :

The Times was first published in 1785.- Before ordinal numerals : the first , the second, the third ...

The article

The Indefinite Article - A, AN - Before a countable noun in the singular which is

mentioned for the first timeThere is a church near my house.- Before a noun in the singular which represents

a whole class of people or things A friend will always help you.An actor should have good pronunciation.- Before nouns that indicate professionsMy son will be an engineer next year , and my

daughter is a doctor.- In expressions which refer to prices , speed and

time frequencyThese grapes are 50 cents a kilo.The speed limit is 60 km an hour.You should take these pills three times a day.

. III. The Zero Article - Before proper names Have you met James

Brown today ?- Before nouns that refer to family members or to close persons : Mother,

Mum, Father , Dad, Aunt ,Uncle , Nurse ,

Teacher Mother will be back soon and Dad will come later.

The article

Before names of countries ,cities and continents :England ,Wales , Romania,London ,Bucharest , New York ,Europe, North America

Have you ever been to England ?Romania is situated in Europe.- Before abstract nouns : love , knowledge ,

wisdom, freedom , justice , life, death Knowledge is power.Time is money.

The article

- Before uncountable nouns used in general : bread , butter , cheese , ham, meat, coffee , sugar , gold , silver , wood , grass , oxygen

I never drink coffee.Chocolate is not very healthy.- Before other uncountable nouns :advice

, furniture , information, luggage , news

I need advice to solve this problem.This book has useful information.

The article

- Before names of sciences

Robert got first prize in Mathematics.She has just got her degree in Physics.

Before nouns used in the plural with a general meaning :

Men and women should have equal rights.

Drivers must slow down at crossroads.