The use of articles in English. Articles in English - what are they for and when to use them? With the names of unique phenomena

The article is a word that adds a shade of certainty or uncertainty to the meaning of a noun: "After the long conference, the mug of hot chocolate is especially good." / "After a long conference, a mug of hot chocolate is especially good." In the first case, we transfer information about a specific conference and a mug of hot chocolate. In the second, they formulated a general statement, implying that any circle will come in handy after any long conference. English has several ways of conveying this certainty, or lack of it. Let's take a closer look.

Definite article

Definite article ( definite article) is the English word " the". It seems to limit the semantic meaning of the noun. For example, your friend might ask, “Are you planning to visit the party this Monday?” - "Are you planning to attend the party this Monday?" The definite article in English communicates that a friend is referring to a certain party that is well known. The article "the" is used with plural and singular nouns, as well as with uncountable nouns. The following are some examples of the use of the definite article in context:

Could you give me the screwdriver, please?- Could you give me a screwdriver, please?
Give me the orange screwdriver, please. The green one is too big.- Give me the orange screwdriver, please. The green one is too big.
Could you give me the chisel, please?- Could you give me a chisel, please?
Could you give me the small chisel, please? That's the only one convenient enough to make holes in this plank.- Could you give me a small chisel, please? This is the only tool that works well for drilling holes in this board.
Give me the screwdriver and the chisel then, please.- Give me then a screwdriver and a chisel, please.

Indefinite article

The indefinite article ( indefinite article) there are two main forms. First, it is a service part of speech a” that precedes a word that begins with a consonant. Secondly, it is the article " an”, used with a word that starts with a vowel. The indefinite article in English "a / an" indicates that the noun is used in a general sense, and not in a specific one. For example, you ask a friend: “Should I take a present then? “Should I bring a present then?” The friend understands that you are not asking about a specific type of gift or a specific item. "I would like to bring an almond cake. “I would like to bring an almond cake.” Again, the indefinite article indicates that no special almond cake is meant. Whether it will be homemade or bought at a local pastry shop does not matter. The indefinite article is characterized by monogamy, so it can only be found with singular nouns. Consider the following examples of the indefinite article in context:

Could you fetch me a smartphone, please? Any of them will be fine.- Could you give me a smartphone, please? Any of them will do.
Gimme a bottle of wine real quick now, ok? Any is good.- Give me a quick bottle of wine, ok? Any is good.

NOTA BENE: Uncountable nouns are nouns that are difficult or impossible to count. They include intangible objects(information, air), liquids(beer, rum) and things, that are too large or numerous to count(equipment, sand, wood). Since these things cannot be taken into account, never use"a" or "an". Remember that the indefinite article in English is only for singular nouns. However, uncountable nouns are used without problems with the word some.

"A" vs "an". Exceptions to use

There are a number of exceptions to the general rule of using the indefinite article before words that begin with a consonant and a vowel.

The first letter of the word "honourable ["ɔn (ə) rəbl] - generous", for example, the consonant "h", however, it is mute (unpronounceable). Despite the spelling, the word "honourable" begins with vowel sound[ɔ]. So the choice of the article falls on « an". Consider the example below for illustration:

WRONG
Thomas is a honorable person.

RIGHT
Thomas is an honorable person.

Translation: Thomas is a generous person.

Similarly, when the first letter of a word vowel, but pronounced with a consonant sound, use " a", as in the example below:

WRONG
Elizabeth was an

RIGHT
Elizabeth was a United States prime minister.

Translation: Elizabeth was the Prime Minister of the United States.

Acronyms, initial abbreviations and cuts by first letters also obey this rule: a uk based corporation, an HR management etc.

Zero article

Sometimes articles are omitted before certain nouns. In these cases, the article is implied but not actually present. Such an article is sometimes called the zero article ( zero article). Often the article is missing before nouns that refer to abstract ideas. Look at the following examples:

WRONG
Let's have a dinner today.

RIGHT
Let's have dinner today.

Translation: Let's have dinner tonight.

WRONG
The enthusiasm is my strong point.

RIGHT
Enthusiasm is my strong point.

Translation: Enthusiasm is my forte.

Many languages and nationalities are not preceded by an article:

WRONG
Mary is fluent in the Korean and the Japanese.

RIGHT
Mary is fluent in Korean and Japanese.

Translation: Mary speaks fluent Korean and Japanese.

Athletic activities, sports and academic subjects do not require an English article in front of them. For comparison, take a look at the following offers:

WRONG
Bobby is keen on the football.

RIGHT
Bobby is keen on soccer.

Translation: Bobby loves to play football.

WRONG
The literature isn't my favorite subject.

RIGHT
Literature isn't my favorite subject.

Translation: Literature is my least favorite subject.

Article + pronoun

Possessive pronouns help determine whether you are talking about a specific or indefinite subject. And although, as you already know, articles in English are used to indicate certainty, nevertheless, if you use both a possessive pronoun and articles at the same time, then the recipient will definitely come to a stupor. Possessive pronouns are words such as: my, his, her, its, their and our. English articles cannot be used in tandem with pronouns. " The" and " my"Do not use together, since both are intended for a similar purpose. The differences lie in the nuances of conveying the required value. Consider the following examples:

WRONG
Dexter is using the my tablet right now.

RIGHT
Dexter is using the tablet right now.

RIGHT
Dexter is using my tablet right now.

Translation: Dexter is currently using (my) tablet.

Article + adjective

In most cases, the article defines not only the noun, but also the adjective that precedes it. Normal word order: article + adjective + noun. If you mean the indefinite article, then the choice between " a" and " an» is based on the letter that the next word begins with.

WRONG
What a interesting magazine!

RIGHT
What an interesting magazine!

Translation: What an interesting magazine!

WRONG
Merriam will cook an banana cupcake.

RIGHT
Merriam will cook a banana cupcake.

Translation: Merriam will make a banana muffin.

Set expressions with articles

Useful phrases with definite articles in English.

Useful phrases with indefinite articles in English.

Useful phrases with the zero article

So, today your piggy bank of knowledge has been replenished with the rules for using articles in English. We hope that the article turned out to be useful and to your liking and, henceforth, you will no longer experience discomfort in recognizing, and, most importantly, understanding the use of this or that article in various situations. You're welcome!

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

Despite the fact that initially in the minds of a Russian-speaking person there is no category of articles, nevertheless, for the vast majority of modern European languages, it is extremely significant and is literally absorbed with mother's milk. Therefore, today we will consider how to use the article a/an, the in English correctly so that you never make mistakes again.

Rules for using the article a

This article is called indefinite (indefinite article) and always accompanies countable nouns in the singular, that is, those that can be counted, listed. The very essence of the article is expressed in the fact that it, together with an, is a remnant of an Old English word meaning "one". Therefore, the article a used exclusively with words in the singular. In addition, the cases of using this particular article include the following:

First mention of the item. For example, if the speaker is talking about his new notebook to a friend, he will say: Yesterday I bought a nice notebook. The notebook is green and pink. As you can see, the indefinite article was used for the first time a, in the second already a definite article - everything is according to the established rules.
When naming a profession or type of activity, for example: She's a doctor. I am a teacher.
After the constructions there is, it is, that is, this is, for example: This is a beautiful dress. There is a computer on the table.
If a noun is preceded by an adjective describing it, then the article will not destroy their bundle, but will stand before the adjective, for example: I'm a young boy. In that vase there was a beautiful red rose.
After the words quite, such: Such a smart woman!
In expressions denoting quantity, namely: a lot of, a couple, a dozen, a way too, a great many, a great deal of.
In structures where a replaces the preposition per(in, out): 7 Euros a kilo, twice a day, etc.
In exclamatory sentences like this: What a nasty weather! What a good puppy! What a tasty pancake!
Sometimes accompanied by proper names, namely: Two days ago I met a Mrs. Black, which translates as "Yesterday I met some Mrs Black.

Article an

It should immediately be noted that this article is not independent and is only a form of the article described above a. Therefore, for an the same rules of use are characteristic, but the main condition for its use is the presence of a situation in which a countable word in the singular begins with a vowel. Example: I've bought an apple. In his bag there is an orange. An umbrella is what I really need now!

Combinations to learn

For each article ( a/an, the) there is a set of certain stable combinations, remembering which you can be sure that you will not fall into the dirt on your face. Often it is on them that the compilers of various exams like to catch people studying the language.

For articles a/an you need to remember the following basic stable phrases:

To be in a hurry - to be in a hurry, hurry up.
To be at a loss - to be in difficulty, bewilderment.
To be in a rage - to be furious, furious.
To have a headache - to have a headache.
To have a toothache - have a toothache.
In a loud voice - in a loud voice.
In a low voice - in a quiet, low voice.
In a whisper - in a whisper.
It's a pity - what a pity; sorry that….
It's a shame - shame.
It's a pleasure is a pleasure (to do something).

Definite article

The definite (definite article) article is identical to the demonstrative pronoun "this" and "that" and is used with nouns both in the singular and in the plural in the following situations:

If we are talking about a subject that has already been mentioned in a conversation, or the context allows you to understand which specific subject from the set is being talked about, for example: Yesterday I went in the cinema and saw a film. The film was absolutely not interesting.
With words that serve as a nomination for unique objects, things or phenomena, one of a kind, namely: sun, sky, Earth, moon.
After prepositions indicating a place, for example: There is a dog in front of the door.
With superlative adjectives.
If a whole category is meant for one object, for example: The dog is a mammal
With ordinal numbers, namely: the second grade, etc. However, it is important to consider here: if the numeral denotes a number, the article is not used at all, for example: Lesson 3, Section 6, page 172, etc.
When mentioning the cardinal points: in the south.
With a surname, if the whole family is meant, and not a separate member of it: the Petrovs (Petrovs).
In sustainable structures to remember: in the morning/evening/afternoon, to the theater/cinema, to the market/shop.
Always with the words: same, next, only, very, previous, last, left, right, upper, very, central, following, main.
Together with adjectives that have passed into another part of speech, to nouns (such words are called substantiated), namely: The rich (rich) and others.

The definite article is also used with the geographical names of all:

rivers (the Neva);
oceans (the Pacific Ocean);
seas (the Red Sea);
lakes (the Baikal; however, if there is a word lake, for example Lake Superior and etc., the use of the article is not required at all);
channels;
straits and bays;
mountain ranges (the Alps);
deserts (the Victoria Desert);
archipelagos and islands (the British Isles);
states, if their name contains the words Kingdom, Federation, Republic (for example, the Dominican Republic), if the name is in the plural (the Netherlands) or is an abbreviation (the USA);
in two exceptions: the Gambia and the Bahamas;
with the names of cinemas, theaters, newspapers (The New York Times), magazines, hotels.

And again idioms

Another portion of stable phrases actively used in everyday speech by the British and everyone who can speak their language, but with the article the, as follows:

To tell (or speak) the trurth - tell the truth. You can remember with the help of an association: the truth is one and only, there are many lies (therefore it is said a lie).
To play the piano - play the piano.
In the day-time - in the daytime, during the day.
To read in the original - read in the original (i.e., not in translation).
On the one hand ... on the other hand ... - on the one hand (one opinion) ..., on the other hand (another opinion).
It's out of the question - this is out of the question.

So, when the basic rules for how the article is used a/an, the, have been considered, it's time to deal with the zero article and find out why these categories were formed at all in the English language, but not in Russian. In addition, it is also necessary to work out the theoretical base with the help of practical exercises.

Without article

There is a certain set of situations when the use of the article is not required (zero article, or "zero"). This includes the following cases:

If the word is used in the plural and in a general sense, for example: Children like bonbons (in general, all children (any) love candies).
With uncountable nouns if no defining or descriptive units are given: My father likes music.
With proper names (countries, cities, human names).
With nominations for days of the week and months, for example: September, monday.
With the words breakfast, lunch, dinner.
When a word already has determiners in the form of possessive and demonstrative pronouns, as well as the words any, every, some.
Along with vehicle names: I prefer traveling by plane.
With words denoting sports.
With nouns denoting parents, family, educational institutions (if there is no specification and clarification): Are you at college?
With words expressing insufficiency: few, little.
With the names of the holidays (Easter, Christmas).
With disease nominations (flu, cancer).
And also in a number of stable combinations.

How did English develop? Articles a/the: history of appearance

It must be said that articles did not exist in languages immediately. In addition, even foreigners who have a system of articles in their native languages cannot always understand the system of this official part of speech in another language. For example, the German article system is considered the most sophisticated and complex, but many Germans admit that they absolutely cannot understand the pattern of using English articles, and vice versa.

Article a/an, the, as well as zero - all this is natural for a native English speaker today, and it is clear why. The fact is that the history of the English language as a whole is the history of a grammatical revolution. At a certain period of its development, this representative of the Indo-European language family took and changed the “pronoun + noun” bundle, which is so characteristic, for example, for Slavic languages, to the “noun + article” bundle.

Resources to help you master the material

Today articles a/the, the rules for the use of which were discussed above, sometimes become a stumbling block at the very beginning of the path to learning English. Therefore, in this article, we have collected resources and materials that will help solve the difficulties that have arisen:

Duolingo - a site where all topics, including articles a/the, the use and examples of which have already been covered in detail in the article, are provided with visual tables and explanations.
Njnj - seemingly unremarkable, but useful at least for a one-time visit to the service. Here anyone can work out articles a/the; exercises contain clues.
Lim-english - site for the final stage. Articles can be fixed here a/the; tests, among other rules, cover this section and offer to test yourself by answering 20 questions.

Afterword

As you can see, there is nothing wrong with the articles. Yes, it is extremely unusual for a Russian-speaking person who is just starting to get acquainted with foreign languages, but here, as you know, experience and practice are the main ones. The regularity of classes, watching movies and listening to music in the original will quickly help you to accept and understand the category of articles.

It is impossible to brag about knowledge of English grammar without knowing minor at first glance, but important details, for example, articles. One of the most insidious and treacherous of these is the definite article "the". When communicating with a native speaker, it is very easy to "sleep" by using it out of place, or vice versa, missing it. Knowing the following 10 rules, you will be able to
strengthen your knowledge on the front of articles and be more confident in the correctness of your sayings. But be extremely careful - the rules are full of exceptions and pitfalls. Don "t say "thanks" just yet. Check what we have in store for ya!

Let's start simple. You use the article when you want to distinguish a word from other possible versions. If there is no confusion as to what you mean then you do not use the article. Therefore, if everyone already knows, for example, where you go to school (to university or to work), you just say: "I"m going to school", because there is no confusion. Or if you say that ever going to school in general, you do not use the article « the". The same applies to the house - usually everyone has one, and hell with Paradise, which everyone is aware of. So, when you once again think about where you will go after death, think in English, and do it correctly: "I "m going to hell." However, when we talk about special hell of a particular religion, the article "the" should already be: " The hell of Islam is far worse than the hell of Chirstianity.»

With that being said, it is important to remember that if noun countable (one gun, two guns), then always put the article (the / a / an). And at the same time remember that can't bet his before plural (guns, books) or incalculablenouns(water, blood, advice, chocolate, meat etc.).

Generally

We do not set « the", when talking about something generally, no specifics.

Cats are awesome pets!

Here we are not talking about one particular awesome cat or pet, but about all the awesome cats and pets at once.

Women love it when men do it right.
People are evil in that neighborhood.

Sport

Names of sports and other types of physical activity do not require the article "the".

I love to go skiing in the winter.
I play baseball every day after school.
He loves watching hockey on TV.
She does yoga 3 times a week.
My daughter really enjoys dancing.

Family

We use « the"when we say about family(name) but not about a specific person or combinations with names:

We're having dinner with the Smiths tonight.
The Browns are going to play with us.

John is coming over later.
Mary Carpenter is my boss.
Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth's son.
President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

Numbers

Do not put the article, when:

after the noun comes the number:

He's staying at the Haunted hotel in room 221.
The train to Noplaceville leaves from platform 2.
My Exorcism class is in room 6 on the first floor("first" acts as an adjective in this sentence and describes "the floor" - floor).

year indicated:

1948 was a wonderful year.
He was born in 1995 .

We put the article before:

superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers:

the third movie
the tallest kid
the last hour

decades and other periods of years:

I"m the kid of the nineties.
This is a painting from the 1820's.

Only

If the sentence contains such a word, then feel free to sculpt “the” in front of it:

This is the only day we "ve had sunshine all week.
You are the only person she will listen to.
The only tea I like is black tea.

Not the first time

We put " a when we talk about something for the first time, and then change to « the', when what is in question it's getting clear. Also put « the', when all quite obvious or when something or someone is one of a kind. Using this rule, you will be right in most cases, but remember about hell and heaven.

He was talking to a man. The man was laughing.
She gave him a present. The present was very expensive.
I cleaned the bathroom this morning.
the sun is hot today.
He traveled around the world.

Breakfasts, lunches and dinners

We do not use article before meal names:

We had lunch at none.
I have breakfast at 7 a.m.

proper names

Majority names holidays, companies, languages, countries, streets, airports, stations, cities, continents, islands, individual mountains, lakes etc. are all proper names, and article here usually not needed. But it is in this section of the rules for the use of "the" that there is many exceptions so be extremely careful.

McDonald's has restaurants in 119 countries.
Victoria Station is in the center of London.
Can you direct me to Bond Street?
She lives in Florence.
I got some cool ideas for halloween. (there is only 1 Halloween that everyone knows about)
Asia and Europe are two continents, in case you didn't know.
Her son graduated from Harvard. (but "He has a master's degree from the University of Toronto»).
I'm leaving for america next week (but " the United States»).
Lake Ontario and Lake Huron are 2 of the Great Lakes("the Great Lakes" - a group of lakes on the border between Canada and the United States requires an article).
I teach people how to speak English / Chinese / Spanish / Russian(however, when talking about the inhabitants of a particular nation: " The Spanish are known for their warm hospitality").
Mount Everest is the one I plan to climb next week (but " the Endes», « the Rockies” or unusual names for individual mountains, such as Mt. the Matterhorn"(peak in the Pennine Alps).
Easter Island, Maui, Key West- none of these islands I "ve visited (but chains islands like " the Aleutians», « the Hebrides" or" the Canary Islands» require an article).

Names, establishments and places

We do not use « the" before:

names of professions, subjects at school, shops and some places:

My office is located on main street/Washington Blvd.
I usually go to church on Sundays.
Did you go to school today?
She's studying business at university.
Engineering is a well-paid career.
He'll probably study medicine.
I'll get the card at Smith's.
Can you go to Boots for me?

names of subjects at school:

math
geography
business
history
science

before the following words in a general sense:

school
prison
college

I hope to go to college.
He spent three years in prison.

We use « the" before:

names of rivers, oceans and seas ( the Nile, the Pacific,the Arctic, the Atlantic, the Black Sea, the Thames);
countries ( the Netherlands, the Philippines), also before those whose names include the words " republic", « states" and " kingdom» ( the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Republic of Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom);
points of the globe ( the Equator, the North Field);
geographic areas ( the Middle East, the West);
deserts, forests, bays and peninsulas ( the Sahara, Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula).
names of newspapers and famous buildings, works of art, museums and monuments ( the New York Times, the Guardian,the Vietnam Memorial, the Louvre, Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower,the Globe).
before the names of hotels and restaurants, unless they are named after a person ( the Golden Lion, the Hilton).
in front of already known places where people usually go ( the bank, the supermarket, the doctor's)

Let's go the movies.
My dad is in the hospital(Americans will put the article here, but the British can omit it).
She works at the post office.
What time do you have to be at the airport?
Please drop me off at the bus stop.
She doesn't like to go to doctor or the dentist.

Abbreviations

Or acronyms - an abbreviated form of the name of something, using the capital letters of each word to form a new one. So here it is if the acronym is pronounced like a word, we do not use « the»:

NATO[’neɪtoʊ] (North Atlantic Treaty Organization is pronounced in one word here) ambassadors met to discuss the situation.
UNSECO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) was formed in 1946.
Sorry, you've got AIDS(Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

The same goes for abbreviations. names of educational institutions:

She has a Ph. D from MIT(Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

However, if abbreviation is spelled, then article"the" is needed. And you may well say the NATO member(member of NATO).

The UN was created after the Second World War (United Nations = UN and spelled).

The same applies to the following abbreviations:

the EU(European Union)
the US(United States)
the CIA(Central Intelligence Agency)
the FBI(Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Now you are supposed to be from "the" to "you", but do not rush to be familiar. Do not forget about exceptions and the main rule. Good luck with learning English and keep the progress going!

Big and friendly family EnglishDom

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Indefinite article a/an in English (the indefinite article) has two forms:

a[ə] - used before consonants. That is, if the word begins with a consonant sound, it is used a:

a b ok, a t able, a m an, a g irl, a c computer, a t omato, a yacht [ jɒt], a unit[ ˈj uːnɪt]

an[ən] - used before vowels. That is, if the word begins with a vowel sound, it is used an:

an a pple, an e ngineer, an i dea, an o range, an a nswer, an hour [ˈ aʊə(r)]

Please note that the choice of the form of the indefinite article is determined not by spelling, but by pronunciation.

For example, the word hour starts with a vowel, so we use the article an (an hour), although the first letter is a consonant h. Or, for example, the word yacht (yacht) spelled with a vowel y, but the consonant sound [j] is pronounced, so we choose a (a yacht). The use of different forms of the same article helps to make speech harmonious, light, natural. Try to pronounce a apple or an book and you will feel how difficult and uncomfortable it is.

Remember:

Indefinite article a/an used only with in the singular:

a pen(pen), a story(story), a chair(chair), a child(child), a flower(flower)

If the noun is used in the plural form, then the indefinite article is absent. The absence of an article before a noun is commonly referred to as the "zero article".

pens(pens), stories(stories), chairs(chairs), children(children), flowers(flowers)

When the indefinite article a / an is used

Below you will find a description of the main uses of the indefinite article. a/an in English.

№1

Indefinite article a/an used when we first mention an object or person. In this case, we assume that our interlocutor does not know what or who we are talking about.

Yesterday I bought a handbag. — I bought a bag yesterday.
Up until this point, I hadn't even said that I was going to buy a bag. That is, I mention this for the first time (my interlocutor does not know anything about this bag), hence the indefinite article a/an.

If you continue to talk about this bag, then the noun handbag (bag) will already be used with the definite article the, since this time the interlocutor knows which particular bag we are talking about:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. The handbag is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. The handbag is very beautiful.

Although most often a personal pronoun is used instead of a noun, it sounds more natural and avoids repetition:

Yesterday I bought a handbag. It is very beautiful. — I bought a bag yesterday. She's very beautiful.

№2

Indefinite article a/an is used when we are not talking about a given (specific) object or person, but simply about any, about some, about one of a group of the same objects or people. In other words, when we talk about an object or a person in general, not meaning a specific skirt, work, handle or dog:

I want to buy a skirt. — I want to buy a skirt. (some kind of skirt, I don’t know which one yet; I only know that I want a skirt, not a dress)
He refused to look for a job. He refused to look for a job. (any job)
give me a pen, please. - Give me a pen, please. (any, any)
It is a dog. - This is a dog. (some dog, any dog)

When we are not talking about a certain object or person, but about any, then further, if we need to re-designate it, we do not use personal pronouns or the definite article the. Again, we use the indefinite article a/an or pronoun one.

She wants a car but he says they don't need one. She wants a car, but he says they don't need it.
or
She wants a car but he says they don't need a car. She wants a car, but he says they don't need a car.
She wants to have a car (not a motorcycle, not a bicycle, but some kind of car, so a car), but he says that they do not need a car (they do not need any car at all, and not some specific one). Since in the second part of the sentence we are again talking about any / indefinite machine, we again use a car.

№3

Indefinite article a/an we also use to describe or give some information about what has already been mentioned before. In this case, an adjective is often used before the noun. Note that although the article comes before the adjective, it refers to the noun:

It is a beautiful place. - This is a beautiful place. (describe what this place is)
He is a clever boy. - He is a smart boy. (characterize what kind of boy he is)
Do you live in a big house? — Do you live in a big house? (we ask which house)

When we talk about a person's profession or work, we also use the indefinite article a/an:

She is a teacher. - She is a teacher.
I am a doctor. - I am a doctor.

№4

Historically indefinite article a/an derived from the numeral one (one). Hence the possibility in some cases to replace the article a/an numeral one. Such a substitution is possible when the article a/an essentially means "one". For example, this meaning of the indefinite article is observed in numerals a hundred (one hundred), a thousand (thousand), a million (million) and in the word a dozen (dozen) when they are used alone or before a noun:

This toy costs a thousand rubbles. = This toy costs one thousan d rubbles. This toy costs a thousand rubles (one thousand rubles).
give me a dozen, please. = Give me one dozen, please. - Give me a dozen, please (one dozen).

It is with the origin of the numeral one (one) and the meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article is connected, which is especially evident when expressing measures of time, distance, weight or quantity:

This chocolate bar costs a dollar. This bar of chocolate costs a dollar. (=one dollar, we can replace a dollar on the one dollar)
I'll call you in an hour. - I'll call you in an hour. (=in one hour, we can replace an hour on the one hour)
Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? — Can I have a kilo of tomatoes, please? (=one kilogram, we can replace a kilo on the one kilo)

Please note that the numeral one instead of the article a/an should be used only if you want to emphasize that it is about one object or person, that is, when you want to be very precise:

I have got one sister. - I have one sister. (not two sisters, not three, but only one)
I have got a sister. - I have a sister. (in this case, I'm just reporting that I have a sister)

The meaning of the singularity of the indefinite article can be seen in some stable phrases that convey the one-time action:

have a look- take a look
have a snack- have a snack
have a try- try, try
have a rest- relax
have a good time- have a good time
give a chance- give a chance
give a hint- hint
give a lift- give a ride
make a mistake- make a mistake
play a trick- play a trick

№5

Indefinite article a/an also used when it is necessary to indicate the quantity per unit of measure. For example, when we talk about the price of oranges per kilogram, the amount of wages per month, the number of classes per week, or the speed of a car per hour. The noun denoting this very one unit of measurement will be used with the indefinite article.

The oranges were 80 rubles a kilo. - Oranges cost 80 rubles per kilogram.
She works 8 hours a day. She works 8 hours a day.
I go to aerobics twice a week. — I go to aerobics twice a week.

№6

Indefinite article a/an can also be used with some uncountable abstract nouns (for example, humor - humor, hatred - hatred, anger - anger, magic - magic) when they carry an adjective. Usually such use of the indefinite article is characteristic of the book style and expresses the author's desire to emphasize the individual, special character of this or that abstract concept.

Note that in the case described above, the use of the indefinite article is optional. If you do not want to emphasize in a certain way the special character of any emotion, character trait, etc., the article a/an may not be used.

On a note

To learn how to use the indefinite article a/an more or less automatically, try forming this rule in your head: use the indefinite article with singular countable nouns when there is no other reason to use the definite article the or some other determiner (possessive or indefinite pronoun).

In many foreign languages there is such a thing as an article. To start learning grammar from this topic will be a good option for those who want to know English. The article (the rule of use will help to understand the question) is a service part of speech in English. It shows certainty or indefiniteness. Further in the text, the rules for its use are given when the article a (an), the is omitted.

Types of articles

There are two types of articles in English:

definite - the;
indefinite - a (an) (two forms).

The definite article shows that we are talking about some well-known or familiar subject that is more individualized, somehow stands out from others. And the indefinite one indicates a more generalized meaning or an object that appears in the text for the first time. Examples:

The girl has a dog./The girl has a dog.

From this sentence, it can be understood that we are talking about a particular girl who is already familiar to the reader and she was previously mentioned in the text, but the word “dog” is more generalized, which dog is unknown.

Origin

We have already found out that in English there is such a part of speech as the article: a (an), the. They originally came from other words and to some extent retained their old meaning.

For example, the definite article is an abbreviated form of the word that (that, that), which is why it carries such a specific meaning.

It comes from the word one (someone, some).

Definite article

In English, the definite article has two functions: the first of them is concretizing, and the other is generalizing. And this part of speech is used if a person knows exactly what subject is being discussed, or if this subject is unique.

The definite article in a concretizing meaning

It is used if one object stands out from the whole set, it has some excellent parameters, it is distinguished by a unique case, context. Before adjectives in

He is the best player in our team./He is the best player in our team.

Placed before the words following, last, next, only and very. They make the noun more specific.

And not the next day. / And not the next day.

Superlative adjectives are also preceded by the definite article.

It is the worst day in my life. / This is the worst day in my life.

The definite article in a general sense

In generalizing - when a noun can be attributed to a whole kind of objects.

Examples include the German Shepherd - the double coat is straight, and short length./For example, a German Shepherd. The coat has two characteristics: straight and short in length.

Here we are talking about all dogs belonging to a particular breed.

Omitted if replaced by a possessive pronoun.

She sure had some love for her German Shepards.

If you can put the word "this" before the noun.

The hotel also features easy access to the several subway stations./The hotel is also easily accessible from several subway stations.

When specifying the era, significant events.

The First World War./The First World War.

Before uncountable nouns, only if we are talking about a certain amount of substance.

And then the farmer has to find another way to deliver the juice.

Before the names of body parts.

The hand

Before social classes and strata of society.

The police./Police officers.

The definite article with proper nouns and some titles

It will help to better understand how to use articles with proper names and some names, the table below. All of the following words must be preceded by the definite article the.

proper names	Examples
Rivers	the Nakdong
Names of newspapers	the Washington Post
place names	the North Field
Objects from astronomy	the Moon
Mountain names	the Andes
cardinal directions	in the East
Surnames in the plural (meaning all family members)	the Adamsons
Channels	the Nicaragua Canal
City districts	the West End
Nationalities	the Italian
Unique architectural structures	the Winter Palace
desert	the Bolivian
Names of reservoirs	the Black Sea
Ship names	the Aurora
Some countries	the Argentina
Nicknames	the Tall Ben

Definite article. Plural

If the definite article is used before a word in the singular, then it is placed before it in the plural.

You can bring the ball with, if you want.

You can bring the balls with, if you want./If you want, take the balls with you.

Also, the article remains before the plural when it comes to a group as a whole.

The members of Golf club can breathe fresh air./The members of the Golf club can breathe fresh air. (Everyone can breathe fresh air).

Indefinite article a (an)

"a" is used if the first letter in the word is a consonant, "an" if it is a vowel:

a table, a carpet, a dog / table, carpet, dog;
an elephant, an eagle, an orange / elephant, eagle, orange.

Exceptions to the rule:

the article "a" is always placed before words that begin with the letter "u" if it is pronounced /ju:/ (English is a universal language);
before the words "one", "ones" the article "a" (a one-parent family) is always used;
if abbreviations start with a consonant but read with a vowel (F is pronounced like /ef/), they are always preceded by the indefinite article "an" (an FBI agent).

Classifying, generalizing and numeral meaning of the indefinite article

In expressive sentences, in exclamatory sentences that begin with the word what, the indefinite article is used.

What a great!

With singular nouns preceded by words such as rather, quite, such, and most.

In a rather prescient way./Very far-sighted.

If a noun is a generic value for the entire class, species, layer, etc., then it is preceded by an indefinite article. Most often, such a noun is at the beginning of a sentence and does not carry any important information. More significant details are described later in the text.

A newspaper text is a very laconic and relevant essay.

In the numeral value, the article denotes its original meaning - one.

I can stay in Paris for only a day./I could stay in Paris for only a day. (Here it is clear that the particle -a can be replaced by one, the word from which the article a (an) was formed (the - from that). In this sentence, the particle takes its usual place).

Indefinite article a (an). Plural

Articles that are used before singular nouns are not used in the plural.

She had a book of astrology./She had a book on astrology.

She had two books./She had two books. (As you can see, the article is omitted).

Proper nouns and the article a (an)

The article a (an) is used before if they:

unknown

A Mr. Anderson has come to see you./A certain Mr. Anderson has come to see you.

used as a noun

You think, I am a Leonardoda Vinci?

point to individual family members

It is no wonder; in fact, she is a Smith./No wonder, because she is a Smith.

describe the position of a place or object

We saw a rebuild Rome. / We saw a rebuilt Rome.

In addition, there are stable expressions that, regardless of the context, never change and always remain in their place. These phrases just need to be learned:

a few / a few, it is a pity / sorry, a little / a little, etc.

When the article is not needed

In English there is such a thing as when it is absent in sentences before nouns. Above in the article, cases were already mentioned when the article is omitted. Let's look at a few more typical rules.

If nouns are preceded by adjectives old / old, little / small, poor / poor, lazy / lazy, honest / honest.

She is little girl./She is a little girl.

If there is no definition for a noun.

I do not like Peter. / I do not like Peter.

Before titles, titles.

Lord Green./Lord Green.

Article exercises

To consolidate the acquired knowledge, you need to do a few exercises. Then check your answers with the keys, analyze the errors. For example, you can do the task below.

Insert the missing article a (an), the:

Paris is … beautiful town./Paris is a beautiful city.

What "s going on? I think it's ... salute. / What's going on? I think it's a salute.

Britney Spears is … singer./Britney Spears is a singer.

This is Nick. He is … engineer./This is Nick. He is an engineer.

… spider has eight legs./Spiders have eight legs.

It is … tomato./This is a tomato.

I am ... nurse. / I am a nurse.

She is … best./She is the best.

To take … seat./Sit down.

In ... country. / In the country.

Answers to the exercise. How to correctly insert the article a (an), the: