Grammar is an indispensable part of learning English Language. This has to be done in a perfectly planned and systematic manner. And while learning prepositions, one must be very minute in understanding the details of the topic. Grammarcart.com has come up with this systematic, comprehensive way of learning where a learner will undoubtedly be able to grasp the essence of the topic for Understanding Articles in English. So, let us go through the exercise Rewrite the sentences.
How we talk about nouns (things)/Understanding Articles in English:
| plural (shops) | countable (book) | common (table) | abstract (love) |
| singular (shop) | uncountable (food) | proper (United Kingdom) |
| a, an (1) • singular countable nouns • unknown / first mention • general • an is the same as a but we use it before a vowel sound |
| the (1 or more) • countable nouns – singular or plural • known / later mentions • specific things • specific uncountable / plural nouns • specific abstract nouns • use the when you both know what is being talked about • use the before superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers • pronounced thii before vowel sounds |
| no article (or “some”) • uncountable nouns • plural nouns* • abstract nouns* • proper nouns • things when you are talking in general |
• We often need to write an article before a noun – but not always!
• There are only 3 articles – a, an, and the – but they cause a lot of errors
• the is the most common word in written English; a is #6 and an is #32 (Talk a Lot Foundation Course p.3.9)
• Some languages don’t have articles, e.g. Polish; in English we need them to help make the rhythm and give more information
• Use some with plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns; use any in question and negative forms
• Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable depending on the situation, e.g. cheese
• An article goes before a noun modifier, e.g. an adjective or intensifier, e.g. “a horse”; “a big horse”; “a really big horse”
• We can use a possessive adjective (e.g. my, your, our, etc.) or a determiner (e.g. this, that, these, those) instead of an article