ARTICLES (a,an,and the)
Article choices are hard for non-native speakers because they require
so many decisions, each one of which may be difficult. You have to decide
whether the noun refers to a specific case or a general one,
whether it is singular or plural, and whether it is countable
or non-countable. Your choice of article depends on a complex combination
of these factors. No wonder you may be having a hard time. What follows
are rules and examples that cover most of the cases for common nouns--nouns
that aren't capitalized:
1. general, countable, plural: Horses are beautiful animals.
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No article with horses or with animals because each is general
and countable. If you're wondering what a countable
noun is click here.
2. general, non-countable: Honesty is the best policy.
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No article with honesty because it is general and non-countable.
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Use a the with policy because it is specific and countable.
There is only one best policy.
3. specific, countable, plural: The horses in that field are beautiful
examples of the breed.
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Use a the with horses because these are specific horses--the
ones in that field. Adding modifiers in the form of subordinate
clauses or prepositional phrases is likely to make a noun specific.
-
No article with examples because it is general and countable. If
I had said the most beautiful examples, then I would have needed
a the because there is only one specific set of most beautiful examples..
-
Use a the with breed because I have a specific breed in mind--the
breed that the horse in question belongs to.
4. specific, countable, singular: The horse in that field is a beautiful
example of the breed.
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Use a the with horse because it is a specific horse, just
as in illustration #3.
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Use an a with beautiful example because example is
general, countable, and singular.
5. general, countable, singular: A cool drink is welcome on a hot
day.
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Use an a with drink and an a with day because
the sentence makes a general statement; it is not about any specific cool
drink or hot day.
Context is often important in determining whether a noun is general or
specific. In the following example prior mention changes whether
the noun is general or specific. Also notice the use of an in place
of a.
6. I brought an umbrella with me, but I lost it. That is the second
umbrella I've lost this week.
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Use an an with the first umbrella because an is used
in place of an a before a noun beginning with a vowel.
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Use a the with the second umbrella because of the context.
In this case prior mention has made the noun refer to a specific
umbrella, the one we just mentioned.
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