Articles

First the good news: There are only three articles in English: a, an and the.

There are two types of articles indefinite "a" and "an" or "." You should also know when not to use an object.

The bad news is that its proper use is complex, especially when you get into the advanced use of English. Very often, you have to work for what sounds good, it can be frustrating for a student.


Indefinite articles - and one (determinants)

Are one and indefinite articles. They refer to something not specifically know the person whom you communicate.

One and used before the names that introduce something or someone that I have not mentioned before: -

For example:

"I saw an elephant this morning."
"I ate a banana for breakfast."
A and also used when talking about his profession -

For example:

"I am an English teacher."
"I am a builder."
Attention!

Is used when the name refers to start with a consonant (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y or z), for example, "city", "plant", and a "hotel".

Use a name when referring to begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u)

Pronunciation changes this rule. It's the sound that matters, not the spelling.

If the next word begins with a consonant, when we say, for example, "university", then use a. If the next word begins with a vowel, when we say, for example, "hour", then use a.

We say "university" with a "y" sound at first, as if it were spelled "youniversity."
Therefore, "university" is correct.

We say "hour" h with a silence as if it were spelled "our".
Therefore, "an hour" is correct.

(Many people mistake - even native speakers.)
Is used when it is known that the listener knows or can work out what particular person / thing you are talking about.

For example:

"The apple you ate was rotten."
"Did you lock the car?"
You must also use at the mention whereof he speaks.

For example:

"She has two children. A girl and a boy of eight of the girl and the boy of fourteen years."
We used to talk about geographical points of the planet.

For example:

the North Pole, Ecuador
We used to talk about rivers, oceans and seas

For example:

the Nile, the Pacific, in the Channel
We also use some names before, when we know that it is only one of a particular thing.

For example:

rain, sun, wind, world, earth, the White House, etc..
However, if you want to describe a particular case of these you must use a / an.

For example:

"I could hear the wind." / "There's a cold wind blows."

"What are your plans for the future?" / "She has a bright future ahead of him."

He also used to say that a person or thing that is mentioned is the best, most famous, etc. In this usage, "the" is usually given strong pronunciation:

For example:

"Harry's Bar is the place to go."

"It's not that Tony Blair met, right?"

! Note - if not all: -

For example:

"Books are expensive." = (Not all books are expensive, I mean.)

"Books are expensive." = (All books are expensive.)




No item

We usually use no article to talk about things in general: -



Inflation is on the rise.

People are concerned about rising crime. (Note people! General, not the article)

You do not use an article when it comes to sport.

For example:

My son plays football.

Tennis is expensive.

You do not use an article before uncountable nouns when talking about them in general.

For example:

The information is important for any organization.

Coffee is bad for you.

You do not use an article before the names of countries, except where indicated multiple areas or contain the word (State (s), kindom, republic, union). Kingdom, state, republic and union are nouns, so they need an article.
For example:

Any - Italy, Mexico, Bolivia, England

Use the - United Kingdom (UK), United States (U.S.), the Republic of Ireland

Multiple domains! the Netherlands, the Philippines, the British Isles