article determination the indefinite article a/an the definite article the the zero article

Article determinationArticle determination

The Indefinite article The Indefinite article A/ANA/AN

The definite article The definite article THETHE

The The ZeroZero Article Article

The Indefinite articleThe Indefinite article A/ANA/AN

•AA is used before a noun beginning is used before a noun beginning with a consonant soundwith a consonant sound

Ex.: a uniform, a yoghurtEx.: a uniform, a yoghurt

•AnAn is used before a noun beginning is used before a noun beginning with a vowel soundwith a vowel sound

Ex.: an umbrella, an owlEx.: an umbrella, an owl


FunctionsFunctions•ClassifyingClassifying

•NominatingNominating

•First – mentionFirst – mention

•NumericalNumerical

•GenericGeneric


The Indefinite article in the The Indefinite article in the Classifying functionClassifying function is used to is used to show that the speaker is show that the speaker is characterizing a person, object characterizing a person, object or event only as a specimen of a or event only as a specimen of a certain class of things.certain class of things.


The classifying indefinite articleThe classifying indefinite article is is mostly found with predicative, mostly found with predicative, appositive nouns and adverbial phrases:appositive nouns and adverbial phrases:

Ex.: I’m Ex.: I’m a teachera teacher. – . – a predicativea predicative

Ex.: Ex.: He owes his curious name to his He owes his curious name to his father, father, a well-read mana well-read man. – . – an an appositionapposition

Ex.: She looked Ex.: She looked like a boylike a boy. – . – an an adverbial phraseadverbial phrase


The Indefinite article in the The Indefinite article in the Nominating function Nominating function is usedis used whenwhen the speaker wants to name the speaker wants to name an object or to state what kind of an object or to state what kind of object is meant.object is meant.

Ex.: He struck Ex.: He struck a matcha match and lit and lit a a cigarettecigarette. - . - objectsobjects


The indefinite article is used to The indefinite article is used to name an object which is usually name an object which is usually new to the hearer. This is the new to the hearer. This is the first-mention function of the first-mention function of the indefinite articleindefinite article. It serves to . It serves to introduce some new information.introduce some new information.

Ex.: One morning Ex.: One morning aa man was sitting on man was sitting on the bench near the house.the bench near the house.


The indefinite article in the numerical The indefinite article in the numerical function is generally found:function is generally found:

a.a. With nouns denoting With nouns denoting time, measure time, measure and weightand weight

Ex.: for a minute or twoEx.: for a minute or twob.b. With the numerals With the numerals hundred, hundred,

thousand, million, dozen and scorethousand, million, dozen and scoreEx.: I’ve told you a hundred timesEx.: I’ve told you a hundred times


The indefinite article in the numerical The indefinite article in the numerical function is generally found:function is generally found:

c.c. After the negative After the negative notnot

Ex.: not a word, not a traceEx.: not a word, not a trace

d.d. In some In some set phrasesset phrases

Ex.: at a time, at a gulp, at a draughtEx.: at a time, at a gulp, at a draught

e.e. Between Between two noun groups in expressionstwo noun groups in expressions denoting denoting prices, salaries, speedprices, salaries, speed etc. etc.

Ex.: 90 pounds a week, 12 hours a dayEx.: 90 pounds a week, 12 hours a day


The Indefinite article in the The Indefinite article in the Generic function Generic function expresses a expresses a generalization: what is said about generalization: what is said about one specimen of a class can be one specimen of a class can be applied to all the specimens of the applied to all the specimens of the class. The meaning here is close to class. The meaning here is close to every/anyevery/any..

Ex.: A tiger is a wild animal.Ex.: A tiger is a wild animal.

The Definite articleThe Definite article TheThe

The graphic form is identical The graphic form is identical thethe, , whichwhich isis pronounced differently: pronounced differently:

• Before a vowel sound Before a vowel sound [[ðıðı]]

Ex.: theEx.: the a actorctor

• Before a consonant soundBefore a consonant sound [ [ððƏƏ]]

Ex.: theEx.: the c catat


FunctionsFunctions

• SpecificSpecific

• UniqueUnique

• GenericGeneric


The definite article in the The definite article in the specific functionspecific function shows that the shows that the speaker is referring to a particular speaker is referring to a particular example.example.

Ex.: There is someone at the door.Ex.: There is someone at the door.

The house was a bare three The house was a bare three minutes from the station.minutes from the station.


The definite article in the The definite article in the specific function:specific function:

• With the adjectives in the superlative With the adjectives in the superlative degreedegree

Ex.: She was the most active of us.Ex.: She was the most active of us.


ButBut•MostMost in combinationin combination with an with an

adjective can have the same adjective can have the same meaningmeaning as very, exceedinglyas very, exceedingly and and is used withis used with the indefinite articlethe indefinite article

Ex.: A most clever manEx.: A most clever man


The definite article in the specific The definite article in the specific function:function:

• With the ordinal numeralsWith the ordinal numerals

Ex.: You should say Ex.: You should say the firstthe first romance of romance of your life.your life.

BUT in the meaning one more or anotherBUT in the meaning one more or another

Ex.: Two people would have to hold the Ex.: Two people would have to hold the chair and chair and a thirda third would help him up on it. would help him up on it.


With the cardinal numeralsWith the cardinal numeralsUsually no articleUsually no article

Ex.: There were four of us.Ex.: There were four of us.The definite article is determined by The definite article is determined by

the contextthe context

Ex.: Emily looked at Vera. The two Ex.: Emily looked at Vera. The two women rose.women rose.


•Note the differenceNote the difference

the second chapter/ chapter twothe second chapter/ chapter two


The definite article in the The definite article in the specific function:specific function:

• With the limiting adjectives and the With the limiting adjectives and the identifying pronoun identifying pronoun same same

Ex.: the main reason, the only Ex.: the main reason, the only occasion, the same student, the right occasion, the same student, the right way, the very person ant etc.way, the very person ant etc.


•Note Note An only childAn only child is to be is to be regarded as a set phraseregarded as a set phrase

Ex.: I’m an only child in the family.Ex.: I’m an only child in the family.


• Prepositional phrases as limiting attributesPrepositional phrases as limiting attributesEx.: I despise you from the bottom of my Ex.: I despise you from the bottom of my

heart.heart.• Prepositional phrases without limiting Prepositional phrases without limiting

meaning are used with the indefinite meaning are used with the indefinite article usually denote: material article usually denote: material (a ring of (a ring of gold);gold); content content (a cup of tea);(a cup of tea); quality and quality and measure measure (a distance of two miles);(a distance of two miles); composition composition (a group of boys; a man of (a group of boys; a man of forty)forty)


The definite article in the unique The definite article in the unique functionfunction shows the uniqueness of an shows the uniqueness of an object or event. The group of nouns object or event. The group of nouns with unique reference is rather limited:with unique reference is rather limited:

the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the the sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, the earth, the world, the Universe, the earth, the world, the Universe, the planets, the equator, the north pole, the planets, the equator, the north pole, the weather, the devil, the pope and etc.weather, the devil, the pope and etc.


The definite article in the The definite article in the generic functiongeneric function shows the shows the reference to a whole class of reference to a whole class of referents; it is used to denote a genus referents; it is used to denote a genus taken as a whole, or a thing taken as taken as a whole, or a thing taken as a type.a type.

Ex.: The cuckoo is a lazy bird.Ex.: The cuckoo is a lazy bird.

The old could not help the young.The old could not help the young.

The Zero ArticleThe Zero Article

• With the nouns in pluralWith the nouns in plural

Ex.: Horses are domestic animals.Ex.: Horses are domestic animals.

• Before the uncountable nounsBefore the uncountable nouns

Ex.: I like milk.Ex.: I like milk.

• Before Proper namesBefore Proper names

Ex.: Mary is my friend.Ex.: Mary is my friend.

Washington is the capital of the USA.Washington is the capital of the USA.


• With the addresseeWith the addressee

Ex.: Good morning, child!Ex.: Good morning, child!

• Before the nouns denoting: Before the nouns denoting: season, day time and mealsseason, day time and meals

Ex.: Summer is my favourite season.Ex.: Summer is my favourite season.

• Before ranks and titlesBefore ranks and titles

Ex.: Mr. West, Professor SmithEx.: Mr. West, Professor Smith


• With some word-combinationsWith some word-combinations

Ex.: at first, at home, at peace, at war, Ex.: at first, at home, at peace, at war, at table, by chance, by heart, by at table, by chance, by heart, by name, by mistake, by means of, in name, by mistake, by means of, in time, to be in bed, to go by bus, to time, to be in bed, to go by bus, to go to school, to go to town, to tell go to school, to go to town, to tell lies, day by daylies, day by day

The Use of Articles with The Use of Articles with Abstract NounsAbstract Nouns

• Abstract non-count nouns with generic Abstract non-count nouns with generic reference are used without any article.reference are used without any article.

Ex.: Knowledge is power.Ex.: Knowledge is power.It gives me great pleasure.It gives me great pleasure.• Abstract non-count nouns can be used Abstract non-count nouns can be used

with the indefinite article when they with the indefinite article when they are modified by descriptive attributesare modified by descriptive attributes

Ex.: In a wild relief he put his hands to Ex.: In a wild relief he put his hands to his face.his face.


• Abstract nouns with specific reference Abstract nouns with specific reference are used with the definite article.are used with the definite article.

Ex.: I feel giddy. I’ll just sit here quietly Ex.: I feel giddy. I’ll just sit here quietly till the giddiness wears off.till the giddiness wears off.

• Some Abstract nouns are never used Some Abstract nouns are never used with the indefinite article:with the indefinite article:

Weather, money, news, work, luck, fun Weather, money, news, work, luck, fun and etc.and etc.


• The use of articles within some The use of articles within some syntactic structuressyntactic structures

Ex.: It’s a shame; It’s a pleasure; What Ex.: It’s a shame; It’s a pleasure; What a pity!; What a relief!a pity!; What a relief!

Articles with Names of Seasons Articles with Names of Seasons and Parts of the Dayand Parts of the Day

• Names of seasons and parts of the Names of seasons and parts of the day take no article when used day take no article when used predicatively:predicatively:

Ex.: It was summer.Ex.: It was summer.

• No article is used when such nouns No article is used when such nouns are modified by: early, late, broad, are modified by: early, late, broad, highhigh

Ex.: It was late evening.Ex.: It was late evening.


• Used with the indefinite article if they Used with the indefinite article if they are modified by a descriptive attributeare modified by a descriptive attribute

Ex.: It was a foggy evening.Ex.: It was a foggy evening.

• In the specific use the definite article In the specific use the definite article is usedis used

Ex.: I shall not forget the evening I Ex.: I shall not forget the evening I spent with them.spent with them.


• Optional points (specific/generic)Optional points (specific/generic)

Ex.: (The) winter came early that year.Ex.: (The) winter came early that year.

• In number of some set phrases: In number of some set phrases:

In the morning, in the evening, at night, In the morning, in the evening, at night, at dawn, after sunset, from morning at dawn, after sunset, from morning to night, through the autumn, late at to night, through the autumn, late at night, night after night, all through night, night after night, all through the day and etc.the day and etc.

Articles with Names of MealsArticles with Names of Meals• Names of mealsNames of meals usually take no usually take no

articlesarticles

Ex.: Dinner is ready.Ex.: Dinner is ready.

• With the descriptive attributeWith the descriptive attribute the the indefinite article is usedindefinite article is used

Ex.: He ordered a modest lunch.Ex.: He ordered a modest lunch.

• With the limiting attributeWith the limiting attribute the the definite article is useddefinite article is used

Ex.: The dinner she prepared was Ex.: The dinner she prepared was wonderful.wonderful.

Articles with Names of MealsArticles with Names of Meals

• Names of meals may denote Names of meals may denote party, tea partyparty, tea party and etc. the usage and etc. the usage of article depends on the situationof article depends on the situation

Ex.: Why not give a dinner?Ex.: Why not give a dinner?

She began to dress for the dinner to She began to dress for the dinner to which she had been invited.which she had been invited.

Articles with the nouns: School, Articles with the nouns: School, Prison, Church, HospitalPrison, Church, Hospital

• No article is used when they denote No article is used when they denote the purpose they are used forthe purpose they are used for

Ex.: I go to school. (to study)Ex.: I go to school. (to study)

• The definite article is used when The definite article is used when they denote the buildingthey denote the building

Ex.: They went to the church to repair Ex.: They went to the church to repair the roof.the roof.

Names of Parts of the Names of Parts of the BodyBody• The definite article is used in The definite article is used in

prepositional phrases associated with prepositional phrases associated with the object, in passive constructions, with the object, in passive constructions, with the subjectthe subject

Ex.: The woman took the boy by the hand.Ex.: The woman took the boy by the hand.The dog bit her on the leg.The dog bit her on the leg.• The definite article is used when The definite article is used when a a

touch, blow or paintouch, blow or pain is referred to is referred toEx.: She had a pain in the side.Ex.: She had a pain in the side.

The Names with the The Names with the Specific PeriodsSpecific Periods

• The definite article is used with the names The definite article is used with the names of decades, centuries, historic periodsof decades, centuries, historic periods

Ex.: the bronze age, the nineteenth centuryEx.: the bronze age, the nineteenth century

• The definite article is used with The definite article is used with past, past, present, futurepresent, future

Ex.:Ex.: I think about the present and I think about the present and remember about the past.remember about the past.

The Names with the The Names with the Specific PeriodsSpecific Periods

• No articleNo article is used with is used with present present and and future future after after at at and and inin

Ex.: Try to remember it in future.Ex.: Try to remember it in future.

Note:Note: In American English In American English in the in the futurefuture is more common than is more common than in in futurefuture

Articles with Proper NounsArticles with Proper NounsPersonal NamesPersonal Names

• Normally no article is usedNormally no article is usedEx.: Tom grinned.Ex.: Tom grinned.• The definite article is usedThe definite article is used:: with a family name in the pluralwith a family name in the pluralEx.: The Forsytes were resentful.Ex.: The Forsytes were resentful. With the limiting attributeWith the limiting attributeEx.: This wasn’t the Simon he had Ex.: This wasn’t the Simon he had

known so long.known so long.

Articles with Proper NounsArticles with Proper Nouns

Personal NamesPersonal Names with a descriptive attribute indicating with a descriptive attribute indicating

a permanent qualitya permanent quality

Ex.: At that moment they were Ex.: At that moment they were interrupted by the gentle Mrs Shobbe.interrupted by the gentle Mrs Shobbe.

In the meaning the very oneIn the meaning the very one

Ex.: Do you mean the Shakespeare?Ex.: Do you mean the Shakespeare?


Personal NamesPersonal Names

• The indefinite article is usedThe indefinite article is usedTo indicate one member or a certain To indicate one member or a certain

personperson

Ex.: His mother was a Devereux.Ex.: His mother was a Devereux.


Personal NamesPersonal NamesIndicating concrete object or a Indicating concrete object or a

person having specific characteristicsperson having specific characteristics

Ex.: I bought a Volvo.Ex.: I bought a Volvo.

I’m not a Michael Angelo.I’m not a Michael Angelo.

Geographical NamesGeographical Names

• No article: Continents, countries, No article: Continents, countries, states, cities, townsstates, cities, towns

Ex.: (North) America (old) EnglandEx.: (North) America (old) England

• The definite article with some The definite article with some provinces, countriesprovinces, countries

Ex.: the Argentine, The Netherlands, Ex.: the Argentine, The Netherlands, The USA, the Crimea, the Ruhr, the The USA, the Crimea, the Ruhr, the Hague Hague

Geographical NamesGeographical Names• The definite article with the of-The definite article with the of-

phrasephrase

Ex.: the England of todayEx.: the England of today

• The indefinite article with a The indefinite article with a descriptive attributedescriptive attribute

Ex.: a very cheerful EnglandEx.: a very cheerful England

• The definite article is used with the The definite article is used with the names of names of rivers, oceans, seas and rivers, oceans, seas and lakeslakes

Ex.: The Baikal BUT Lake BaikalEx.: The Baikal BUT Lake Baikal

Geographical NamesGeographical Names• The definite article with The definite article with the names the names

of desertsof deserts

Ex.: The SaharaEx.: The Sahara

• The definite article with The definite article with the chains of the chains of mountains and groups of islandsmountains and groups of islands

Ex.: The Urals, The West IndiesEx.: The Urals, The West Indies

• No article with No article with one mountain and one mountain and one islandone island

Ex.: Everest, SicilyEx.: Everest, Sicily

Geographical NamesGeographical Names

• The definite article The definite article with the of-with the of-phrase plus the Proper namephrase plus the Proper name

Ex.: The Cape of Good HopeEx.: The Cape of Good Hope

The University of London BUT London The University of London BUT London UniversityUniversity

Calendar ItemsCalendar Items• Names of months and days of the week Names of months and days of the week

generally take no articlegenerally take no articleEx.: It was Monday.Ex.: It was Monday.• Meaning one of many (indefinite article)Meaning one of many (indefinite article)Ex.: We met on a Friday.Ex.: We met on a Friday.• With a descriptive attribute (indefinite With a descriptive attribute (indefinite

article)article)Ex.: A cold May is a usual thing.Ex.: A cold May is a usual thing.• With a limiting attribute (definite article)With a limiting attribute (definite article)Ex.: He came on the Friday when Tom was Ex.: He came on the Friday when Tom was

born.born.

Articles with Miscellaneous Articles with Miscellaneous Proper NamesProper Names

• No article with No article with the names of parks, the names of parks, streetsstreets

Ex.: Central Park, Fleet ParkEx.: Central Park, Fleet Park

Exception: The Strand, The High Exception: The Strand, The High Street, Whitehall, Downing StreetStreet, Whitehall, Downing Street

But: The Gorky Park, the Red SquareBut: The Gorky Park, the Red Square


• The definite article The definite article with the names of with the names of museums, theatres, galleries, museums, theatres, galleries, concert halls, clubs, hotelsconcert halls, clubs, hotels

Ex.: the Rotary club, the Opera House, Ex.: the Rotary club, the Opera House, the Savoy, the Bolshoi theatre, the the Savoy, the Bolshoi theatre, the TateTate

• No article with No article with the names of airports the names of airports and railway stationsand railway stations

Ex.: London airport, Victoria stationEx.: London airport, Victoria station


• The definite article The definite article with the names with the names of ships and boatsof ships and boats

Ex.: the Titanic, the SedovEx.: the Titanic, the Sedov

• The definite article The definite article with the names with the names of newspapers and magazinesof newspapers and magazines

Ex.: the Times, the Guardian, the Ex.: the Times, the Guardian, the LanguageLanguage

But Punch, NewsweekBut Punch, Newsweek


• The definite article The definite article with the names of with the names of territories consisting of word territories consisting of word combinationcombination

Ex.: the Lake District, the Yorkshire ForestEx.: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Forest• The definite article The definite article with abbreviationswith abbreviationsEx.: The BBC, the FBIEx.: The BBC, the FBIBUT BUT If abbreviations are pronounced If abbreviations are pronounced

as one word no article is usedas one word no article is usedEx.: NATO, UNESCOEx.: NATO, UNESCO


• No article No article with the names of chains of with the names of chains of shops, companiesshops, companies

Ex.: Shell, SonyEx.: Shell, SonyBut: The Bell Telephone But: The Bell Telephone CompanyCompany• The definite article The definite article with the names of with the names of

political and government bodies and political and government bodies and institutionsinstitutions

Ex.: the house of commonsEx.: the house of commonsException:Exception: Parliament, Congress, County, Parliament, Congress, County,

CouncilCouncil


• No article or the definite article No article or the definite article with with the names of musical groupsthe names of musical groups

Ex.: Queen, the Beatles, the Rolling Ex.: Queen, the Beatles, the Rolling StonesStones

• The definite article The definite article with the names with the names of sporting eventsof sporting events

Ex.: the Olympic Games, the Cup FinalEx.: the Olympic Games, the Cup Final

BUT: Wimbledon, Ascot and Epsom BUT: Wimbledon, Ascot and Epsom


• No article No article with the names of with the names of religious and other festivalsreligious and other festivals

Ex.: Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Ex.: Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s DayDay, Valentine’s Day

The indefinite article is used in I The indefinite article is used in I wish wish you a happy Easter! Did you have a you a happy Easter! Did you have a good Easter?good Easter?

article determination the indefinite article a/an the definite article the the zero article

Documents

classifying indefinite

article determination

day slide

owl slide

cat slide

generic function

specific function

numerical function