ARTICLES HELP PAGE
The indefinite article
(a, an) and the definite article (the) are difficult
for non-native speakers to master and their misuse or omission is one
of the most common written errors made by Hong Kong students. Here we
will outline the main grammar rules related to correct usage.
1. Indefinite Articles:
a, an
Indefinite articles (a, an) are generally used with singular,
countable nouns when the noun is general (i.e. indefinite). They are also
used when something is talked or written about for the first time and
to indicate membership of a profession, nation, or religion.
"A" goes before words beginning with a consonant
sound.
e.g. a
lecturer, a final year project, a
university student
N.B. When u makes the same sound as the y in you, then 'a'
is used. This 'y' sound (e.g. yooniversity) is acting as a consonant.
e.g. a university, a united front,
a useful reference, a U.S. marine
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"An" goes before
all words that begin with a vowel sound.
e.g. an
engineer, an intermediary, an
obvious mistake
N.B. Use an before unsounded h. Since
the 'h' has no audible sound, the sound that follows the article
is a vowel.
e.g. an hourly paid student helper, an
honourable member of society.
If the noun is modified
by an adjective, the choice between a and an
depends on the initial sound of the adjective:
e.g. a brave action, an unusual
problem, a European country
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2. Definite Article: the
"The" is generally used before singular and plural nouns
when the noun refers to a particular or specific member of a group.
e.g. The lecturer
in accountancy, the FYP with the highest grade
Ħ§TheĦ¨ is also used when something has been previously talked
or written about. When we first refer to something in written
text, we often use an indefinite article to refer to it.
e.g. A newspaper has an obligation to seek out
and tell the truth.
In a subsequent reference
to this newspaper, however, we will use the definite article:
e.g. There are situations, however, when the newspaper must determine
whether the public's safety is jeopardized by knowing the truth.
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"The" is also
used to refer to something unique
e.g. The HK Polytechnic University. The
theory of relativity .
The HK
handover. The Equator
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"The" is also
used when the noun it accompanies refers to something in the abstract:
e.g. |
The Hong
Kong Government has encouraged the use of public
transport systems as opposed to the use of
the private automobile |
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"The" is also
used with uncountable nouns that are made more specific by a modifying
phrase or clause.
e.g. |
The
coffee is too hot to drink.
The English she spoke was a north- eastern dialect.
The happiness they felt was short-lived. |
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Use of 'a', 'an','the'
or no article
Definite and indefinite articles are/can be used to indicate a whole class
to which individual countable nouns belong. Articles can also be omitted
however (so you'll get it right no matter which way you choose!)
ĦE A university
degree requires a great deal of commitment. (any individual degree)
ĦE The university degree requires a great deal of
commitment. (all degrees).
ĦE University degrees require a great deal of commitment. (all degrees)
NB: Uncountable
nouns almost never take an article:
ĦE Anger is a destructive emotion.
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3. No Article
Articles are not used with uncountable nouns which refer to something
in a general sense.
ĦE Coffee is drunk extensively
in Brazil.
ĦE English was her mother tongue.
ĦE Happiness is difficult to quantify.
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They are also not used with
ĦE languages and nationalities (Chinese, English, Thai ),
ĦE sports (football, volleyball),
ĦE academic subjects (engineering, electronics, business, mathematics,
hotel management).
ĦE The following geographical features
ĦE Names of continents (Asia, Europe)
ĦE Most names of countries (China, Scotland, Thailand). Exceptions:
the Netherlands, the Philippines, the UK, the US.
ĦE Names of cities, towns, or states (Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Sichuan)
ĦE Names of mountains, lakes and islands (Mount Stenhouse, Lake Michigan,
Lantau).
ĦE Exceptions: ranges of mountains (the Andes, the Himalayas), groups
of lakes and islands (the Great Lakes, the Hebrides, the Andaman islands
Common count nouns are
used without articles in certain special situations, including:
Some expressions using 'be' and 'go' (by train, in school etc)
Seasons (Spring, Autumn)
Meals (lunch, supper)
Diseases (he died of cancer, she caught pneumonia)
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