Article:- An article is a part of an adjective that describes specific or unspecific nouns and noun equivalents. 'A', 'an' and 'the' are articles.
Position of Article:-
1. Article is used for a noun and before a noun.
2. Article is used according to the pronunciation of noun.
However, articles are two types:
1. Definite article = the
2. Indefinite article = a/an
** Definite Article:- 'The' is called Definite Article. It refers to a particular person person or thing that is specific known.
**Indefinite Article:- 'A' and 'An' are called Indefinite Article. They do not specify a particular person or thing that is not known.
Use of A/An
(1) Article 'a' is used before Singular countable Noun(SCN) which has consonant sound.
** [ A + SCN (having consonant sound) ] **
Ex.
A boy, a pen, a Novel, a dog etc.
(2) Article 'an' is used before Singular countable Noun (SCN) which has vowel/ vocal sound.
**[ An + SCN (having vocal sound) ] **
Ex.
An inkpot, an ass, an apple etc
* Article 'A' / 'An' is not used before Plural countable Noun.
Ex.
A boys (×)
A girls (×)
* Article 'A' / 'An' is not used before uncountable nouns.
Ex. A milk (×)
A water (×)
Note:-
1). Article taking noun= Common Noun
2). Non article taking Nouns=
(1) Plural countable Noun
(2) Proper noun
(3) Material noun
(4) Abstract noun
(5) Uncountable nouns
Use of 'the'
The article 'the' is used,
(1) When a singular noun represents a whole class. ...
Ex. The donkey is a beast of burden. (Here the singular noun donkey is used to refer to all the donkeys.)
Note:-
The article ‘the’ is never used before the nouns ‘man’ and ‘woman’ when they represent the whole class.
Man is mortal. (NOT The man is mortal.)
(2) While speaking of something or somebody already referred to. ...
Ex. (i) The girl who came to see me yesterday was my sister.
(i) The story that he told us yesterday was very interesting.
(iii) I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious.
(3) While speaking of a particular person or thing. ...
Ex. The man, on the stage is a good teacher.
The poor beggar could get no alms.
(4) When you refer to classics and holy books. ...
Ex. (i) The Quraan (ii) The Gita (iii) The Bible
(5) While referring to the names of journals and newspapers. ...
Ex. (i) The Hindustan Times (ii) The Statement
(iii)The New York Time (iv) The Wall Street Journal.
(6) When we refer to imaginary geographical lines.
Ex. The equator; the Tropic of Cancer; the Tropic of Capricorn; the latitude; the longitude.
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