Purdue OWL: How to Use Articles (a/an/the)

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Using Articles
Summary: This handout discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles (the). Contributors:Paul Lynch, Allen Brizee, Elizabeth Angeli Last Edited: 2011-03-03 10:04:28 What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns. English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article. the = definite article a/an = indefinite article For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book. Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year." There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the. "A/an" is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, "I would like to go see a movie." Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. We're talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific one in mind. Let's look at each kind of article a little more closely.

Indefinite Articles: a and an

"A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example: "My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas." This refers to any dog. We don't know which dog because we haven't found the dog yet. "Somebody call a policeman!" This refers to any policeman. We don't need a specific policeman; we need any policeman who is available. "When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!" Here, we're talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case an elephant. There are probably several elephants at the zoo, but there's only one we're talking about here.

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Purdue OWL: How to Use Articles (a/an/the)

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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 a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour a + nouns starting with a pronounced "h": a horse 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. Remember that these rules also apply when you use acronyms: Introductory Composition at Purdue (ICaP) handles first-year writing at the University. Therefore, an ICaP memo generally discusses issues concerning English 106 instructors.

Another case where this rule applies is when acronyms start with consonant letters but have vowel sounds: An MSDS (material safety data sheet) was used to record the data. An SPCC plan (Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures plan) will help us prepare for the worst.

If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article: a broken egg an unusual problem a European country (sounds like 'yer-o-pi-an,' i.e. begins with consonant 'y' sound) Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a group: I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large group known as teachers.) 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.)

Definite Article: the

The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:

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Purdue OWL: How to Use Articles (a/an/the)

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/

"The dog that bit me ran away." Here, we're talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me. "I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!" Here, we're talking about a particular policeman. Even if we don't know the policeman's name, it's still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat. "I saw the elephant at the zoo." Here, we're talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo.

Count and Noncount Nouns

The can be used with noncount nouns, or the article can be omitted entirely. "I love to sail over the water" (some specific body of water) or "I love to sail over water" (any water). "He spilled the milk all over the floor" (some specific milk, perhaps the milk you bought earlier that day) or "He spilled milk all over the floor" (any milk). "A/an" can be used only with count nouns. "I need a bottle of water." "I need a new glass of milk." Most of the time, you can't say, "She wants a water," unless you're implying, say, a bottle of water.

Geographical use of the

There are some specific rules for using the with geographical nouns. Do not use the before: names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United States names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miami names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St. names of lakes and bays: Lake Titicaca, Lake Erie except with a group of lakes like the Great Lakes names of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of mountains like the Andes or the Rockies or unusual names like the Matterhorn names of continents (Asia, Europe) names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains like the Aleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary Islands Do use the before: names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole geographical areas: the Middle East, the West deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the Sahara, the Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula

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Purdue OWL: How to Use Articles (a/an/the)

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Omission of Articles
Some common types of nouns that don't take an article are: Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian (unless you are referring to the population of the nation: "The Spanish are known for their warm hospitality.") Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer science

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Purdue OWL: How to Use Adjectives and Adverbs

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Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Summary: This resource provides basic guidelines of adjective and adverb use. Contributors:Paul Lynch, Chris Berry Last Edited: 2010-04-17 05:54:23

The Basic Rules: Adjectives

A countable noun is one that can be expressed in plural form, usually with an "s." For example, "cat--cats," "season-seasons," "student--students." An uncountable noun is one that usually cannot be expressed in a plural form. For example, "milk," "water," "air," "money," "food." Usually, you can't say, "He had many moneys." Most of the time, this doesn't matter with adjectives. For example, you can say, "The cat was gray" or "The air was gray." However, the difference between a countable and uncountable noun does matter with certain adjectives, such as the following: some/any much/many little/few a lot of/lots of a little bit of plenty of enough no

Some/Any:
Both "some" and "any" can modify countable and uncountable nouns. "There is some water on the floor."

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Purdue OWL: How to Use Adjectives and Adverbs

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"There are some Mexicans here." "Do you have any food?" "Do you have any apples?"

Much/Many:
"Much" modifies only uncountable nouns. "They have so much money in the bank." "The horse drinks so much water." "Many" modifies only countable nouns. "Many Americans travel to Europe." "I collected many sources for my paper."

Little/Few:
"Little" modifies only uncountable nouns. "He had little food in the house." "When I was in college, there was little money to spare." "Few" modifies only countable nouns. "There are a few doctors in town." "He had few reasons for his opinion."

A lot of/lots of:

"A lot of" and "lots of" are informal substitutes for much and many. They are used with uncountable nouns when they mean "much" and with countable nouns when they mean "many." "They have lots of (much) money in the bank." "A lot of (many) Americans travel to Europe." "We got lots of (many) mosquitoes last summer." "We got lots of (much) rain last summer."

A little bit of:

"A little bit of" is informal and always precedes an uncountable noun. "There is a little bit of pepper in the soup."

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Purdue OWL: How to Use Adjectives and Adverbs

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"There is a little bit of snow on the ground."

Plenty of:
"Plenty of" modifies both countable and uncountable nouns. "They have plenty of money in the bank." "There are plenty of millionaires in Switzerland."

Enough:
Enough modifies both countable and uncountable nouns. "There is enough money to buy a car." "I have enough books to read."

No
No modifies both countable and uncountable nouns. "There is no time to finish now." "There are no squirrels in the park."

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Purdue OWL: Prepositions

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Prepositions for Time, Place, and Introducing Objects

Summary: This section deals with prepositions and their standard uses. Contributors:Chris Berry, Allen Brizee, Elizabeth Angeli Last Edited: 2011-03-23 03:07:43

One point in time

On is used with days: I will see you on Monday. The week begins on Sunday. At is used with noon, night, midnight, and with the time of day: My plane leaves at noon. The movie starts at 6 p.m. In is used with other parts of the day, with months, with years, with seasons: He likes to read in the afternoon. The days are long in August. The book was published in 1999. The flowers will bloom in spring.

Extended time
To express extended time, English uses the following prepositions: since, for, by, fromto, from-until, during,(with)in She has been gone since yesterday. (She left yesterday and has not returned.) I'm going to Paris for two weeks. (I will spend two weeks there.) The movie showed from August to October. (Beginning in August and ending in October.) The decorations were up from spring until fall. (Beginning in spring and ending in fall.)

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Purdue OWL: Prepositions

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I watch TV during the evening. (For some period of time in the evening.) We must finish the project within a year. (No longer than a year.)

Place
To express notions of place, English uses the following prepositions: to talk about the point itself: in, to express something contained: inside, to talk about the surface: on, to talk about a general vicinity, at. There is a wasp in the room. Put the present inside the box. I left your keys on the table. She was waiting at the corner.

Higher than a point

To express notions of an object being higher than a point, English uses the following prepositions: over, above. He threw the ball over the roof. Hang that picture above the couch.

Lower than a point

To express notions of an object being lower than a point, English uses the following prepositions: under, underneath, beneath, below. The rabbit burrowed under the ground. The child hid underneath the blanket. We relaxed in the shade beneath the branches. The valley is below sea-level.

Close to a point
To express notions of an object being close to a point, English uses the following prepositions: near, by, next to, between, among, opposite. She lives near the school. There is an ice cream shop by the store. An oak tree grows next to my house The house is between Elm Street and Maple Street. I found my pen lying among the books. The bathroom is opposite that room.

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Purdue OWL: Prepositions

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To introduce objects of verbs

English uses the following prepositions to introduce objects of the following verbs.

At: glance, laugh, look, rejoice, smile, stare

She glanced at her reflection. (exception with mirror: She glanced in the mirror.) You didn't laugh at his joke. I'm looking at the computer monitor. We rejoiced at his safe rescue. That pretty girl smiled at you. Stop staring at me.

Of: approve, consist, smell

I don't approve of his speech. My contribution to the article consists of many pages. He came home smelling of alcohol.

Of (or about): dream, think

I dream of finishing college in four years. Can you think of a number between one and ten? I am thinking about this problem.

For: call, hope, look, wait, watch, wish

Did someone call for a taxi? He hopes for a raise in salary next year. I'm looking for my keys. We'll wait for her here. You go buy the tickets and I'll watch for the train. If you wish for an "A" in this class, you must work hard.

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Purdue OWL: Spelling

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Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike

Summary: This resource covers common spelling errors including accept/except, ei/ie, noun plurals, and ible/able. Contributors:Purdue OWL Last Edited: 2013-01-07 11:38:31 Many words sound alike but mean different things when put into writing. This list will help you distinguish between some of the more common words that sound alike. Click on any of the blue underlined links to open a longer and more complete definition of the word in a new window.

Forms to remember
Accept, Except
accept = verb meaning to receive or to agree: He accepted their praise graciously. except = preposition meaning all but, other than: Everyone went to the game except Alyson. We are currently updating these resources, but for more information on these words, plus exercises, see our document on accept and except.

Affect, Effect
affect = verb meaning to influence: Will lack of sleep affect your game? effect = noun meaning result or consequence: Will lack of sleep have an effect on your game? effect = verb meaning to bring about, to accomplish: Our efforts have effected a major change in university policy. A memory-aid for affect and effect is RAVEN: Remember, Affect is a Verb and Effect is a Noun. We are currently updating these resources, but for more information on these words, plus exercises, see our document on

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Purdue OWL: Spelling

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affect and effect.

Advise, Advice
advise = verb that means to recommend, suggest, or counsel: I advise you to be cautious. advice = noun that means an opinion or recommendation about what could or should be done: I'd like to ask for your advice on this matter.

Conscious, Conscience
conscious= adjective meaning awake, perceiving: Despite a head injury, the patient remained conscious. conscience = noun meaning the sense of obligation to be good: Chris wouldn't cheat because his conscience wouldn't let him.

Idea, Ideal
idea = noun meaning a thought, belief, or conception held in the mind, or a general notion or conception formed by generalization: Jennifer had a brilliant ideashe'd go to the Writing Lab for help with her papers! ideal = noun meaning something or someone that embodies perfection, or an ultimate object or endeavor: Mickey was the ideal for tutors everywhere. ideal = adjective meaning embodying an ultimate standard of excellence or perfection, or the best: Jennifer was an ideal student.

Its, It's
its = possessive adjective (possesive form of the pronoun it): The crab had an unusual growth on its shell. it's = contraction for it is or it has (in a verb phrase): It's still raining; it's been raining for three days. (Pronouns have apostrophes only when two words are being shortened into one.)

Lead, Led
lead = noun referring to a dense metallic element:

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Purdue OWL: Spelling

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The X-ray technician wore a vest lined with lead. led = past-tense and past-participle form of the verb to lead, meaning to guide or direct: The evidence led the jury to reach a unanimous decision.

Than, Then
used in comparison statements: He is richer than I. used in statements of preference: I would rather dance than eat. Than used to suggest quantities beyond a specified amount: Read more than the first paragraph. a time other than now: He was younger then. She will start her new job then. next in time, space, or order: First we must study; then we can play. Then suggesting a logical conclusion: If you've studied hard, then the exam should be no problem.

Their, There, They're

Their = possessive pronoun: They got their books. There = that place: My house is over there. (This is a place word, and so it contains the word here.) They're = contraction for they are: They're making dinner. (Pronouns have apostrophes only when two words are being shortened into one.)

To, Too, Two

To = preposition, or first part of the infinitive form of a verb: They went to the lake to swim. Too = very, also: I was too tired to continue. I was hungry, too. Two = the number 2: Two students scored below passing on the exam. Two , twelve, and between are all words related to the number 2, and all contain the letters tw. Too can mean also or can be an intensifier, and you might say that it contains an extra o ("one too many")

We're, Where, Were

We're = contraction for we are:

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Purdue OWL: Spelling

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We're glad to help. (Pronouns have apostrophes only when two words are being shortened into one.) Where = location: Where are you going? (This is a place word, and so it contains the word here.) Were = a past tense form of the verb be: They were walking side by side.

Your, You're
Your = possessive pronoun: Your shoes are untied. You're = contraction for you are: You're walking around with your shoes untied. (Pronouns have apostrophes only when two words are being shortened into one.)

I/E Rule
Write I before E Except after C Or when it sounds like an A As in "neighbor" and "weigh" i before e: relief, believe, niece, chief, sieve, frieze, field, yield e before i: receive, deceive, ceiling, conceit, vein, sleigh, freight, eight

Exceptions
seize, either, weird, height, foreign, leisure, conscience, counterfeit, forfeit, neither, science, species, sufficient Please see our four interactive exercises to practice these rules.

-ible, -able Rule

-ible -able

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Purdue OWL: Spelling

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If the root is not a complete word, add -ible.

aud + ible = audible

If the root is a complete word, add -able.

accept + able = acceptable

Examples: Examples:
fashionable visible horrible terrible possible edible If the root is a complete word ending in -e, drop the final -e and add eligible incredible permissible excuse - e+ able = excusable -able. laughable suitable dependable comfortable

Examples:
advisable desirable valuable debatable

Some exceptions:
contemptible digestible flexible responsible irritable inevitable Try some exercises for spelling -ible and -able correctly. Please note we are in the process of revising our exercises. They will eventually be altered to reflect those revisions.

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Purdue OWL: Subject/Verb Agreement

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Making Subjects and Verbs Agree

Summary: Ever get "subject/verb agreement" as an error on a paper? This handout will help you understand this common grammar problem. Contributors:Joshua M. Paiz, Chris Berry, Allen Brizee Last Edited: 2012-05-23 10:01:31 This handout gives you several guidelines to help your subjects and verbs agree. 1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb. She and her friends are at the fair.

2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb. The book or the pen is in the drawer.

3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb. The boy or his friends run every day.

His friends or the boy runs every day.

4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used. He doesn't like it.

They don't like it.

5. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase. One of the boxes is open

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Purdue OWL: Subject/Verb Agreement

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The people who listen to that music are few.

The team captain, as well as his players, is anxious.

The book, including all the chapters in the first section, is boring.

The woman with all the dogs walks down my street.

6. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb. Each of these hot dogs is juicy.

Everybody knows Mr. Jones.

Either is correct.

7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs. The news is on at six.

Note: the word dollars is a special case. When talking about an amount of money, it requires a singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, a plural verb is required. Five dollars is a lot of money.

Dollars are often used instead of rubles in Russia.

8. Nouns such as scissors, tweezers, trousers, and shears require plural verbs. (There are two parts to these things.) These scissors are dull.

Those trousers are made of wool.

9. In sentences beginning with there is or there are, the subject follows the verb. Since there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows. There are many questions.

There is a question.

10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular and take a singular verb,

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Purdue OWL: Subject/Verb Agreement

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such as group, team, committee, class, and family. The team runs during practice.

The committee decides how to proceed.

The family has a long history.

My family has never been able to agree.

In some cases in American English, a sentence may call for the use of a plural verb when using a collective noun. The crew are preparing to dock the ship.

This sentence is referring to the individual efforts of each crew member. The Gregg Reference Manual provides excellent explanations of subject-verb agreement (section 10: 1001). 11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too. The President, accompanied by his wife, is traveling to India.

All of the books, including yours, are in that box.

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