ENGLISH ARTICLES: Definite, indefinite and zero

1. The definite article “the” 1

2. The indefinite article ‘a/an’ 2
3. The zero article (no article needed) 3
4. Article usage with abstract nouns 4
5. The English article in generic reference 6

1. The definite article “the”

The definite article “the” refers only to specific nouns.

It marks a noun phrase as definite that is, referring to something that can
be identified uniquely in the contextual or general knowledge shared by speaker and hearer.

1. ‘The’ may refer to a noun mentioned earlier (so it becomes specific and definite): Fred
bought a radio and a tv-set , he returned the radio.

2. ‘The’ may also refer to a noun specified by the following sentence: I’m trying to find the
book that I wanted to show you.

Other uses to take into account are:

3. In connection to the immediate situation, present and visible: Can you see the bird
sitting on the lower branch?

4. It may refer to a large situation; assumptions about general knowledge: In the dark we
couldn’t see what the countryside looked like. I won’t come by car, I’ll take the train.

5. With reference to parts of the body in prepositional phrases instead of the

possessive. He grabbed me by the arm.

6. Logical and grammatical factors - superlatives, ordinals and similar, logically unique: He
is the best guitarist of all times. I was the first to arrive. She was the sole survivor.

7. With musical instruments: Can he play the piano?

8. With national or Ethnic groups: The Chinese are very hard working people.

9. Families: The Palmers, The Simpsons

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10. With nouns deriving from adjectives with human reference: the blind, the unemployed,
the poor, the rich (plural invariable)

11. With group nouns: the jury, the board of teachers.

12. Inventions: The wheel, the internet.

13. With names of places which are plural (mountain ranges, islands): The Himalayas. The
Rocky Mountains.

14. With names of countries with States, Kingdom or Republic: The USA, The UK, The
Republic of China.

15. With names of rivers, oceans, seas and deserts: The Thames, The Atlantic Ocean, The
Sahara Desert. (Mostly plural nouns but also some in singular)

16. Geographical Terms such as the Tropic of Capricorn, The Antarctic, The North Pole.

17. Words like: beach, cinema, city, coast, country(side), ground, jungle, library, sea(side),
shops, station, theatre, weather, world. Mind you! Your wallet has dropped to the ground!

18. Newspapers - the Guardian; Cinemas - The Rialto; Theaters - The Globe; Museums and
galleries - The Prado

Pronunciation:

1) /ð ə/ the book (before consonant sounds)

2) / ð i: / the owl (before words beginning with vowels and in cases of proper nouns or to
give emphasis.

2. The indefinite article ‘a/an’

1. Used when we refer to something that is not unique or identifiable to start with: I’m going to
move into an apartment quite near where you live.

It is associated with the first time we mention something. A subsequent mention would need the
definite article “the”: She lost a camera, a radio and a purse; though fortunately the purse
contained very little money and the camera was insured.

2. Other uses are: to indicate membership in a group as in

● I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large group known as teachers.)

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 ● Brian is an Irishman. (Brian is a member of the people known as Irish.)

● Seiko is a practicing Buddhist. (Seiko is a member of the group of people known as

Buddhists.

3. With verbs ‘be’ and ‘have’: I’m a teacher, I have (got) a cat
4. Before Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms when we refer to an unknown person. A Mrs Jones is waiting for
you outside.
5. With fractions - a third; measurements - a metre ; weight - a ton; price -an euro; whole
numbers - a million; (also ‘one’ when counting)
6. Speed - 100 miles an hour; jobs - she works as a doctor
7. Any one as in Could I have a bottle of juice?
8. When using nouns in singular number to represent a class of things or animals, the or
a/an can be used.

Spelling: Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...

● a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog

● an + singular noun beginning with a

vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot;an orphan

● a + singular noun beginning with letter ‘u’ but consonant sound /j/: a user (sounds like the
Spanish sound ‘iu’ a university; a unicycle

● an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour

● a + nouns starting with a pronounced "h": a horse

o In some cases where "h" is pronounced, such as "historical," you can use an.
However, a is more commonly used and preferred. A historical event is worth
recording.

Pronunciation: ‘a’ Weak form: / ə/ Strong or stressed form /ei/

‘an’ Weak form: / ən/ Strong or stressed form /æn/

"Can I have a biscuit?" (/ə/)

- I've been given two biscuits - "But I asked for a biscuit, not two." (/eɪ/).

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3. The zero article (no article needed)

1. Definite meaning: similarly to “the”, specifying a unique referent: As (the) chairman, I must
rule you out of order.

2. With plural countable and noncount nouns. Quantification would be expressed by ‘some’ or
‘any’: Coffee can be bought almost everywhere. Some coffee will wake you up. Roses are my
favourite type of flower.

3. In idioms relating to:

1. Specific places, He must be in/go to school, town, bed, church, prison.

considered as
institutions
But: This is the school where I studied as a kid.
Considered as a building..

2. with seasons In spring we like to clean the house.

We visit my parents for Christmas and at Easter.

3. with meals Breakfast was delicious. He's preparing dinner by

himself.

4. with diseases He's dying of pneumonia. Appendicitis nearly killed him.

(specially with technical medical names, except ‘the
mumps’ and ‘the measles’ ‘)

5. with time expressions By/at night/day. At midday/midnight/dawn. After

dark/nightfall. Before dawn/dusk.

6. Transport and We'll go/travel/come by train/bus, car, plane, bicycle. (

communication but also: We'll take the train.)

Send it by telex, post, mail, satellite, fax.

7. Fixed phrases and by heart, on foot, in case of , out of step.

complex prepositions

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8. Binominal hand in hand, mile after mile, day in day out, eye to eye.
expressions used
adverbially

9. With lakes, bays, Lake Victoria, Easter Island, Mount Everest (except
islands, mountains (as plural noun of places: The Great Lakes, The Canary
singular nouns) Islands, The Rocky Mountains)

4. Article usage with abstract nouns

Abstract nouns can be treated as countable or uncountable nouns and go with or without
articles.

As uncountable nouns – no article: when they refer to activities, states, qualities. -He is
studying European history. Peace of mind helps people live longer. Injustice was widespread
within the judicial system itself. Her body was racked with grief.

As countable nouns - article: when they refer to specific events - The country has had a
troubled history. The storm upset my peace of mind. He implored the judge to correct the
injustice. It was a grief he had never felt before.

5. The English article in generic reference

We can refer to something countable in a generic way by using any of the three articles or by
omitting the article with plural nouns (zero article):

The car / a car / cars became an increasing necessity of life in the 20th century.

Generic reference with uncountable nouns and plural is formed with the zero article.

Velvet is an excellent material for curtains. Children are an example of innocence.

NOTES:

● Zero article is the most natural way of expressing the generic.

● The indefinite article tends to carry comparative meaning: Tigers run / a tiger runs more gracefully than most
animals.
● “The” with singular nouns conveys a rather formal tone in generic use.

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