ARTICLES

SALAC, ROCAJANE C.
BSED 1-A
ARTICLES

SALAC, ROCAJANE C.
BSED 1-A
WHAT IS ARTICLE?
A person, place, object or idea.

• A word used to modify a noun.

Any word that
modifies a noun.
• Technically an adjective.
Noun Adjective
For example:

RED CAR
For example:

BEAUTIFUL
FLOWER
T YPES OF
ARTICLES
TYPES OF ARTICLES

• Definite Article
- The word “the”

• Indefinite Article
- The words “a” and “an”
DEFINITE ARTICLE

 Used before a singular or plural noun.

Refers directly to a specific noun or group of nouns.
DEFINITE ARTICLE

the freckles on my face

N
DEFINITE ARTICLE

the alligator in the pond

N
INDEFINITE ARTICLE

 Used before a singular, countable nouns.

- “a” is used before a noun beginning with a consonant sound.
- “an” is used before a noun beginning with a vowel sound.
Refers to a not specific noun (not specific person, place, object or
idea).
INDEFINITE ARTICLE

a Mercedes from the car lot

N
INDEFINITE ARTICLE

an event in the history

N
NOT SPECIFIC
INDEFINITE ARTICLE

a Mercedes from the car lot

N
INDEFINITE ARTICLE

an event in the history

N
COUNT NOUN &
NON-COUNT
NOUN
What is count noun
and non-count
noun?
Noun is…
Count Noun
 COUNT NOUNS NON-COUNT
NOUNS

Rule #1
Specific identity not a, an (no article)
known

Rule #2
Specific identity known the the

Rule #3
All things or things in (no article) (no article)
general
 SPECIFIC IDENTITY NOT
R KNOWN:
U Use the indefinite article a or
an only with a singular count noun
L whose specific identity is not known to
t h e r e a d e r. U s e a b e f o r e n o u n s t h a t
E begin with a consonant sound, and use
an before nouns that begin with a
#1 vowel sound.
 • Use the article a or an to indicate any non-
s p e c i f i e d m e m b e r o f a g r o u p o r c a t e g o r y.
R I think an animal is in the garage
that man is a scoundrel.
U We are looking for an apartment.

L • Use the article a or an to indicate one in

number (as opposed to more than one).
I own a cat and two dogs.
E
• Use the article a before a consonant sound, and
#1 use an before a vowel sound.
A b o y, a n a p p l e
R Sometimes an adjective comes
between the article and noun:
U - a n u n h a p p y b o y, a r e d a p p l e

L The plural form of or an is some. Use

E some to indicate an unspecified, limited
amount (but more than one).
#1 - an apple, some apples
 SPECIFIC IDENTITY
R KNOWN:
U Use the definite article the with
any noun (whether singular or plural,
L count or non count) when the specific
identity of the noun is known to the
E r e a d e r, a s i n t h e f o l l o w i n g s i t u a t i o n s :
#2
 • Use the article the when a particular noun has
a l r e a d y b e e n m e n t i o n e d p r e v i o u s l y.

R I a t e a n a p p l e y e s t e r d a y. T h e a p p l e w a s j u i c y a n d
delicious.

U • Use the article the when an adjective, phrase, or

clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts
L i t s i d e n t i t y.
the boy setting next to me raised his hand.
E thank you for the advice you gave me.

#2 • Use the article the when the noun refers to

someone that is unique.
the theory of relatively
The 2003nfederal budget
 ALL THINGS OR THINGS IN
R GENERAL:
U Use no article with plural count
nouns or any noncount nouns used to
L mean all or in general

E
#3
R • Tr e e s a r e b e a u t i f u l i n t h e f a l l . ( A l l t r e e s a r e
beautiful in the fall.)

U • He was asking for advice.

L (He was asking for advice in general.)

E • I do not like coffee.

(I do not like all coffee in general.)

#3
ZERO ARTICLES
NO USE OF A, AN, AND THE