Using Articles

In this post, I will discuss about the use of Articles

What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.

English has two articles: the and a/an.

1. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns.

2. a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.

Indefinite Articles: a and an

“A” and “an” signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example :

“Somebody call a policeman!” This refers to any policeman. We don’t need a specific policeman; we need any policeman who is available.

Definite Article: the

The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:

“The dog that bit me ran away”. Here, we’re talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.

Exercise

In the following sentences supply articles (a, an, or, the) if they are necessary. If no articles is necessary, leave the space blank.

1. Jason’s father bought him the bicycle that he had wanted for his birthday.

2. The statue of liberty was a gift of friendship from – france to the United States.

3. Rita is studying – English and – math this semester.

4. The judge asked the witness to tell the truth.

5. Please give me a cup of coffe with – cream and – sugar.

6. The big books on the table are for my history class.

7. No one in – Spanish class knew the correct answer to – Mrs.Perez question.

8. My – car is four years old and it still runs well.

9. When you go to the store, please buy a bottle of – chocolate milk and a dozen oranges.

10. There only a few sents left for – tonight musical at the University.

11. What did you eat for – breakfast this morning?

12. Rita plays – violin and his sister plays – guitar.

13. While we were in – Alaska, we saw an Eskimo village.

14. – Queen Elizabeth II is a monarch of – Great Britain.

15. The Declaration of Independence was drawn up in 1776