There are three types of articles – a, an, and the. A and an are indefinite articles while the is the definite article.
A is used
- before singular countable nouns beginning with a consonant sound. Example: a book, a glass.
- words beginning with vowels but giving a consonant sound. Example: a European, a one-rupee coin.
An is used
- before singular countable nouns which begin with a vowel sound. Example: an apple, an independent state.
- words beginning with consonants but giving a sound of vowel. Example: an honest man, an MLA.
The is used
- when we talk about particular place, person or thing. Example: The house near the temple is very big.
- a singular common noun is used to indicate a whole class. Example: The lion is the king of the jungle.
- before the names of newspapers, trains, planes, ships, well-known buildings, rivers and seas. Example: the Times, the Golden Temple, the Yamuna.
- with superlative degrees. Example: the best, the most beautiful.
- before ordinals. Example: the third.
Exercises
Q. Rewrite the following sentencing using correct articles wherever required.
- Sanskrit is a easy language.
- This is a best performance!
- We boarded Shatabdi Express last night.
- He participated in an swimming competition.
- He hopes to be the surgeon.
- Moon is shining in sky.
Answer
- Sanskrit is an easy language.
- This is the best performance!
- We boarded the Shatabdi Express last night.
- He participated in a swimming competition.
- He hopes to be a surgeon.
- Moon is shining in the sky.