English Articles – A/AN – THE

The English articles, of which we have two types are:

What are articles? We use articles to define, state or introduce the noun. The noun can be specific or unspecific. Also, we need to know when we do not use any articles before a word (-).

In today’s lesson, we are going to tackle the articles.

The Indefinite English Articles (a/an)

Indefinite articles come in two different forms; ‘a’ for nouns beginning with a consonant and ‘an’ for nouns beginning with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u).

So, we use the indefinite articles, “a” or “an” before a word (typically a noun, which is a naming word) when we are talking about something for the first time. Importantly, “a” goes before consonants, and “an” goes before vowels. Let’s take a look!

Therefore, we use indefinite articles to introduce something new, something unspecific, a noun that usually hasn’t been introduced. We do not use indefinite articles with non-countable nouns, only countable nouns.

• Hi mum, do you have a new plant?
• A motivational speaker came to our school.
• I know an electrician that can help you.

In all three sentences, the words (in this case, nouns) new plant, motivational speaker and electrician are all being introduced for the first time (at least, contextually speaking), so, we have to use the indefinite articles “a” and “an” in these cases. Also bear in mind that the first two words after the article “a” begin with a consonant (new plant, motivational speaker), so, for this reason we need to use “a”, and the last word (electrician) begins with a vowel “e”, so we use “an” and not “a”.

In essence, when you introduce something for the first time, you need to use the indefinite articles a/an. For example, in,

• Marta owns a dog called Casper.

We are introducing “dog” for the first time, that is, we suppose that the person we are talking to did not know that “Marta owns a dog called Casper”. This is the first time the recipient (the person we are speaking to) hears this information, hence the indefinite article, “a”. “Dog” also begins with a consonant (“d”), so, use “a”, and not “an”!

The Definite English Article – The

When it comes to talking about things that have already been mentioned, that is, we are not talking about them for the first time, then, generally speaking, we use the definite article, “the”. For example,

• Hi mum, do you have a new plant? Yes, the plant is absolutely beautiful!
• A motivational speaker came to our school. Oh, was the speaker charming?
• I know an electrician that can help you. Thank you, and is the electrician nice?

Notice how, in these short dialogues, in the first parts, because “new plant”, “motivational speaker” and “electrician” are being talked about for the first time, we need to use a/an, however, in the second part, as these things have already been mentioned, we then need to use the definite article, “the”. Again, when something has already been mentioned or introduced, then you can use “the”.

Use the Definite Article (the) for assumed knowledge

In all of these examples, the noun is already assumed to be known to the recipient or the listener, either because it’s just general knowledge or it’s known to them personally. Therefore, we use the definite article when the thing has already been mentioned, or we assume the recipient knows what we’re talking about — it’s something that’s definite.

Importantly, when we are talking about “assumed knowledge”, that is, things we just assume to be true, then, we tend to use the definite article, “the” even though it might be the first time we are introducing these things. For example, in,

• Excuse me sir, what’s the time?

Here, “time” is being mentioned for the first time, and we are using the definite article, “the” and not indefinite article “a/an” – so, why is this? Because “time” is just assumed knowledge. That is to say, if you see a stranger in the street and you ask them what time it is, you assume they understand what “time” is, because this is just something we all know exists, hence, “the”.

For example, in,

• So, do you like the beach?

Here, this is the first time we are talking about “beach”, so why “the”, and not “a”? Because here, we are using a general context, that is, we are referring to whether the person likes “the beach” and one specific beach, so again, assumed knowledge.

On the contrary, you could also ask,

• Is there a beach near your house?

In this case, we are not talking about “assumed knowledge” and rather about one specific beach (which we are talking about for the first time), so, therefore, you would need to use the indefinite article “a” in this case.

So, do you see the difference between,

• So, do you like the beach?

And,

• Is there a beach near your house?

Zero Articles (-) or no English Articles

We don’t use an article before nouns when we are talking about things in a general sense. So, something that could be a habit to us, or with nouns, both countable and non-countable that are already well assumed like; people, days, months, places, streets, languages, academic subjects, sports, and meals etc.

In all the above examples, the nouns are not preceded by an article for the reasons cited above (people, days, months, places, streets, languages, academic subjects, sports, and meals). Important to remember, we use no article or zero article when we are talking about things in general.

Let’s start by looking at some examples where we are talking about things in general.

• Vegetables are great for your health.
• She loves spending time at home.
• Noise makes me a little nervous.

In these cases, because we’re talking in general, we do not use any articles. Thus it would be incorrect to say, for instance,

• The vegetables are great for your health = X.
• She loves spending the time at home = X.
• The noise makes me a little nervous = X.

If however, you are not speaking in general, then you could say,

• The vegetables in your kitchen look delicious.
• She loved the time you made her laugh.
• The noise made me a little nervous.

In these last cases, we used the definite article “the” because we are not talking in general.

When to use Zero Articles

Lastly, when you are talking about people, days, months, places, streets, languages, academic subjects, sports, and meals, we generally do not use any English articles. For instance,

• I know exactly who Henry and Dorothy are.
• Can we meet on Monday instead of Tuesday?
• I was born in July.
• They live in Beijing, China.
• My friends come from Moscow.
• The street is called Wall Street, it’s the main financial area in New York.
• Can she speak Korean? No, but she does speak Russian very well.
• Benjamin is studying history and art at university. He really doesn’t like math.
• Rugby is not my favourite game. I prefer basketball.
• What did you have for lunch today?
• Did you like eating breakfast?

More examples with and without an article

• David loves eating lunch at twelve o’clock.
• David enjoyed a good lunch today.

• I speak Chinese.
• I have an excellent Chinese teacher.

• She lives in Moscow.
• The Moscow I knew just isn’t the same any more.

This doesn’t mean you should always use zero or no article with these nouns, it depends on the context and also if they are used as adjectives, then you would need to use an article.

We don’t use an article before nouns when we’re talking about things in a general sense, something that could be a habit to us.

Or, with nouns, both countable and non-countable that are already well assumed like; people, days, months, places, streets, languages, academic subjects, sports, and meals etc.

A quick lesson on zero articles with context and analysis

• My name is Thomas1 and I’m from New Zealand2. I was born in July3 and I speak two languages, English and Spanish4. I’m currently living in Madrid, Spain. I really love the Spanish cuisine and culture. My favourite meal is Paella5 and bocadillos filled with chorizo. Tell me about yourself?
• I’m Sarah and I’m from London, England. I speak English and Korean. My parents are originally from South Korea and I grew up here in England. I love Football6 and hockey, as well as cricket even though some people say it’s a little boring. Obviously, my favourite meal is chicken roast, a very typical dish from the United Kingdom.

Analysis

• Thomas: is a name and doesn’t require any article, thus zero article.
• Countries: don’t usually require an article beforehand.
• Months: don’t usually require an article beforehand.
• Languages: don’t usually require an article beforehand.
• Famous meals such as paella or chicken roast, or just meals in general, usually don’t take an article.
• Most sports don’t take articles, just like most things, when a general sense is applied, no need for any articles.

Section Review

Articles: Indefinite articles (a/an), definite article (the) and zero article (-)

• Hey Dale, how’s everything going?
• Fine, thanks. I’m just walking to campus.
• So, what are you studying these days?
• Well, um, I’m currently doing my undergrad. I’m studying literature and contemporary history. I really like it. What about you?
• I’m doing my master thesis right now. It’s a lot of work, but I really like the work a lot.
• Tell me about your master thesis.
• I only just started, I really enjoy the How’s the undergrad in literature and history, do you like it?
• Yes, quite a lot. I have two professors per subject, and they know their subjects very extensively. The professors have been at the university, and have been teaching for over twenty years, so they have a tonne of experience.
• Yes, I understand, teaching experience is so important for students.