Articles

Introduction 

Articles are an important tool in the English language to make any sentence proper. With the use of any particular article in the proper place in a sentence, a writer or a speaker can improve the quality of the message conveyed. Articles are generally used in the English grammar before a countable or uncountable noun or before a singular or a plural noun.. 

Discussion 

What is an article ?

The article generally refers to a modifier that defines a noun or a pronoun. There are indefinite articles and definite articles. In English, if an idea, a person, a place, or any object is defined, it is with the use of an article.

Types and Example of Articles 

As mentioned before, there are two categories of articles- definite articles and indefinite articles. ‘The’ is denoted as the definite article. Definite articles denote a particular object, place or person in a sentence. Example: The man is waiting for a long time. The Ganges is the holiest river in India. 

On the other hand, articles like ‘an’ and ‘a’ are examples of indefinite articles. Indefinite articles are generally used when the creator ideally does not define the referent of the noun. They are also used to refer to singular countable nouns. Example: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. I have a basketball.

Use of articles 

The use of articles is categorized in two sections as per its types, use of articles which is definite and use of articles which is indefinite. 

Use of articles (definite): 

• When the author talks about any particular person or object or thing.
• Ahead of some particular name. For example – The Victoria, the Tajmahal.
• While defining some unique thing or event that is unique by their nature. For example – The sun, the moon, The earth etc. 

Use of articles (indefinite):

• While denoting any numerical sense of any particular one. For example – A foot made of twelve inches.
• While referring to an indistinct sense that is precise. For example – One morning a beggar visited my house.