Articles are words that modify nouns. They function as limiting adjectives to help us understand which person, place, thing, or concept is being discussed.
The is the definite article. It is used when both the speaker and listener or the writer and reader are referring to the same specific thing.
A/an is the indefinite article. It is used when the noun is not specifically identified, either because it is an abstract symbol or a nonspecific thing.
A is used with indefinite nouns that begin with consonant sounds. A is also used with indefinite nouns that begin with vowel sounds if they are preceded by an adjective that begins with a consonant sound.
| a tree | a mouse | a user | a holistic approach | a fierce orangutan |
An is used with indefinite nouns that begin with vowel sounds. An is also used with indefinite nouns that begin with consonant sounds if they are preceded by an adjective that begins with a vowel sound.
| an apple | an hour | an ulcer | an ice cube | an extraordinary journey |
| Choosing which article to use can be a challenge. One must consider a number of factors, including whether the noun being modified is count or noncount and whether it is singular or plural. One must also consider whether the noun is generic, indefinite, or definite. Continue reading to find out more about these factors. |
Count nouns can be counted; they can be expressed in plural form.
| book | tiger | airplane | bottle | elbow | idea | table |
| books | tigers | airplanes | bottle | elbows | ideas | table |
Noncount nouns cannot be counted; they cannot be expressed in plural form.
| money | air | peace | evidence | skiing | chess | rain |
| Note: Some nouns have both a count meaning and a noncount meaning. Typically, the count meaning is concrete (it refers to the actual thing) and the noncount meaning is abstract (it refers to the idea of the thing). Compare the following nouns in their count meaning and their noncount meanings. |
|
Our lives are shaped by our relationships. Her life was shaped by her relationships. |
The words lives and life refer to actual lives -- the individual lives people live in this world. |
|
A balanced diet of vitamin-rich foods will help to maintain good health. Spinach is a vitamin-rich food. |
The words foods and food refer to actual foods -- the individual foods that sustain us. |
|
The sounds of the city kept her awake all night. The sound of her husbands' snoring kept her awake all night. |
The words sounds and sound refer to actual sounds -- the individual sounds of the city and her husband's snoring. |
| Life is full of ups and downs. | The word life does not refer to an actual life; rather, it referes to the idea of life. |
| If you wish you be healthy, you must eat good food and exercise regularly. | The word food does not refer to an actual food; rather, it refers to the idea of food. |
| Hearing is the sense through which we perceive sound. | The word sound does not refer to an actual sound; rather, it refers to the idea of sound. |
| To choose the correct article or other limiting adjective, one must take into account not only whether the noun being modified is count or noncount or singular or plural; one must also consider what sense is given to the noun: is is generic, indefinite, or definite? |
Generic nouns are used to make generalizations. Generic nouns do not represent actual things in the world; rather, they function as abstract symbols of a whole group. Generic nouns (identified here in bold) take articles in the following ways:
|
Singular Count Noun |
a |
A song tells a story. |
|
Plural Count Noun |
ø |
ø Songs tell stories. |
|
Noncount Noun |
ø |
ø Music tells stories. |
Indefinite nouns refer to actual things in the world; however, those things are not specifically identified. Indefinite nouns (identified here in bold) take articles and other limiting adjectives in the following ways:
|
Singular Count Noun |
a |
The band played a song. |
|
Plural Count Noun |
ø or some, three, several, many, plenty of, a few, a lot of, no, etc. |
The band play several songs. |
|
Noncount Noun |
ø or some, little, much, plenty of, a lot of, a little bit of, no, etc. |
The played some music. |
Definite nouns refer to actual things which are specifically identified. In other words, nouns are definite when both the speaker and listener or the writer and reader are referring to the same specific thing. Definite nouns (identified here with underlining) take articles in the following ways:
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