The article a or an in English. How to use the article. Combinations to Learn

In this lesson we will consider the topic "Articles in English". We will study what articles and basic rules of use in structures exist. The analysis is at a level that is understandable for children and adults.

The use of articles in conjunction with nouns in English is a rather voluminous topic, so you should be patient.

In English, The Article is the main definition of nouns. When a sentence is being built, the first thing to start with is to think about the articles, the speaker defines a definite or indefinite noun and then the articles are put. In other words, we are talking about something specific or generalized. There are no articles in the Russian language, which is why this topic causes certain difficulties for many.

When drawing up a structure in English, the article is used in almost all cases. Distinguish:

The Definite Article or the definite article to which it refers The;
The Indefinite Article or the indefinite article to which they refer an and a.

We will study 3 cases of using the article - the use of the indefinite, the definite article and the cases when the article is not used at all in the construction.

The Definite Article

This part of speech has only one form, the. From the point of view of grammar, it comes from the demonstrative pronoun "that - that".

The Definite Article is used in a sentence when it comes to an object that has already been talked about or when the other person understands what the conversation is about.
For example, Please show me the book. - Show me this book, please.
Also, this part of speech is used in a sentence when the interlocutors talk about an object that is one of a kind.
For example, The sun is in the sky. - The sun is in the sky.
applies in all cases when the interlocutors talk about a musical group, newspaper, cinema, restaurant.
For example, The Beatles are the Beatles.
The name of a nationality, when not talking about someone specific, but generalizing all representatives of the genus, is used with the part of speech in question.
For example, the Americans. - Americans.
The definite article is used in some phrases.
For example, at the cinema / the theater - in the cinema / theater. A stable construction was used here.
If the proper name contains the words kingdom (kingdom), union (union), republic (republic), this article is used together with them.
For example, The United Kingdom is the United Kingdom.
This part of speech is used in sentences after prepositions of place.
If there is a construction "next, last + some time period", we put this article in front of the whole construction.
For example, the next day is the next day.
For example, There is a cat in front of the monitor. - There is a cat in front of the screen.
If we are talking about the whole family, then the article in question is also placed before the surname.
For example, The Petrovs are at home. - Petrov's houses.
objects are also used in constructions with the part of speech in question.
For example, the Arctic - Arctic and the Alps - Alps.

Attention, in the names of countries, streets, airports, islands, the article is not used.
If a proper name is expressed by a title and after it there is such a meaning of, the article in question is used.
For example, The Prince of Wales is the Prince of Wales.
In English, as in Russian, there is an adjective that is used without a noun, but denotes a group of people. This form should also be preceded by this part of speech. .
For example, The old is old people.
If there is a superlative adjective in the construction, articles definite are also used before it.
For example, the quickest is the fastest.
The is used in all cases where there is "of" in front of the noun.
For example, The Tower of London is the Tower of London.
With the cardinal points, this article is always used in the design.
For example, the Northern part of our country is the north of our country.
If the sentence contains the word only (meaning the only one), then here we also use the article in question.
For example, She was the only beautiful woman in his life. “She was the only beautiful woman in his life.
And the last case of using articles is before the ordinal number.
Example: We are on the fourth floor. - We're on the fifth floor.

This article in question is used with singular and plural nouns.

Indefinite article

The indefinite article in English has two forms a and an. They are derived from the ancient Greek word for "one." That is why the use of this article is possible only in conjunction with nouns in the singular. Its spelling depends on what sound the noun after it starts with (with a vowel or consonant, for example, an hour, a uniform).

For example, A goose is a goose and an apple is an apple.

This part of speech is used when the interlocutors talk about an abstract concept, and not about a specific object. For example, a dog means any animal of the genus of dogs, not your pet.

The Indefinite Article is used before singular countable nouns when referring to a subject being discussed for the first time.
For example, A man came up to a policeman. - The man approached the policeman.
In designs that talk about speed or price, this part of speech is also used.
For example, 6 dollars a kilo is 6 dollars per kg. 40 km an hour - 40 km per hour.
If a countable noun in the singular is used, denoting a representative of any class of objects, the indefinite article is used.
For example, A child needs love. - The child needs love. It is worth dwelling here in more detail. A child in context refers to any child, all children, who need love. We are not talking about any particular child, but about the whole class in the plural and no matter how many objects it contains.
The Indefinite Article applies in cases where they talk about an indefinite number of any items and objects.
For example, Pass me a piece of bread. - Pass me (some) bread.
This part of speech is used in exclamation sentences if there is a countable noun singular.
For example, What a pretty baby! - What a cute kid!
The Indefinite Article is applied by the title of the position.
For example: He is a doctor. - He is a doctor.
The indefinite article is used before countable nouns of the singular, defined by the words most, such, rather, quite, meaning "very."
For example, It is a most interesting book. - This is a very interesting book.
If the construction contains an adjective that characterizes a noun, they should be preceded by an indefinite article.
For example, This is a red flower. - These are red flowers.
The indefinite article is also placed after There is, This is, It is, That is.
Example: There is a rose in the vase. - Rose in a vase.
The Indefinite Article is used when the meaning of one is implied before countable nouns, which denote a time period.
For example, Will you be back in an hour? - Will you be back in an hour?
If there is a noun with the meaning "any or any", then the indefinite article is also used.
For example, A cow gives milk. A cow (any) gives milk.
The indefinite article is used when a noun is represented by a nominal predicate.
For example, He is a talented writer. - He is a talented writer.

Other English topics: Indefinite article: all uses

Please note that the indefinite article does not apply with proper names, however, in some cases it can be used before Mr / Mrs / Miss + surname. It is used if the person is not familiar to other interlocutors.

Please note that when listing items and objects, the indefinite article is used.

Zero article or no article

In English, constructions are built, as we said above, with definite or indefinite articles. However, there are situations when it is not required to use this part of speech. In this case, one speaks of the zero article.

The zero article is used in cases where the sentence is composed with uncountable nouns denoting gases, liquids and other indefinite concepts.
For example, Compassion is one of his brightest features. - Compassion is one of his most striking features. In this case, compassion is a feeling, that is, an abstract concept. Water is necessary for life. - Water is necessary for life. Everything is clear here, water is a liquid.

However, drawing a parallel with the definite article, we see that The Definite Article refers to a specific substance or object.

For example, The rice we ate yesterday was delicious. “The rice we ate yesterday was delicious.
The zero article is used when it comes to a countable plural noun in the meaning of a group of objects or people.
For example, Trees produce oxygen. - Trees produce oxygen. (in this case, trees are used as a group of plants, united by a common concept: not some specific trees - growing near our house or a neighbor's, but all trees)
I like the trees outside my house. - I like the trees near my house. In this case, the definite article should be inserted, since we are talking about specific trees that grow near my house.
Articles are not required in the design if you mean words that mean eating. Then they are omitted.
For example, Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

However, by slightly changing the sentence, adding an adjective to the noun, we get a completely different construction with an indefinite article.

Example: Mr. Simpson had a tasty supper. “Mr. Simpson had a delicious dinner.
The zero article is used with the words home, college, school, university and bed, if they stand in their direct meaning.
Compare: Jack was in prison. - Jack was in jail. (as a prisoner) and Jack's mother went to the prison to see him. - Jack's mom went to jail to see him. (she went to the prison building as a visitor). Here we should remember the topic "Prepositions in English".
Many phrases in English do not require the use of an article in front of them. Therefore, before writing any word, you should remember the rule.
For example, if there is a noun + numeral construction. Open your book on page 21. - Open your book to page 21.
Also, if the phrase contains the preposition by + vehicle. She travels by bus all the time. - She travels by bus all the time.
If the phrase has a position, rank or title + proper name, the zero article applies. President Reagan was born in 1911. - President Reagan was born in 1911.

However, if we leave one rank or title and remove the proper name, we get a construction with a definite article.

For example, Yesterday the Minister of Education attended the biggest university in the country. - Yesterday the Minister of Education visited the largest university in the country.
If in our speech we are talking about a unique profession or position, we should do it without an article. A common profession is used with the definite article.
Application: He is a sales manager in this department. - He works as a sales manager in this department (he is one of all the sales managers in the department).
He's been appointed (the) top manager of this department. - He was appointed the top manager of this department (there is only one top manager in this department).
If a noun stands in a meaning that expresses more quality than the object itself, the zero article in English is used.
For example, You are not even man enough to admit your fault. You don't even have the courage to admit your guilt.
Usually the article with days of the week and months is not used.
There is no need to use the article before many names:

Dishes, drinks. She cooks lasagna every Friday. - She makes lasagna every Friday.
Sports or games. Football is a popular game. - Football is a popular game.
Languages. I speak French. - I speak French. An exception is the use of the name of the language, which already contains the word "language", in this case we use the definite article. The French language is spoken in some parts of Canada. - French is spoken in some parts of Canada.
Diseases. This boy is sick with asthma. “This boy has asthma. However, there is a group of diseases, the name of which we use in speech, both with a definite and with a zero article. These include: mumps / the mumps (mumps), measles / the measles (measles), flu / the flu (flu). She caught (the) measles. - She contracted measles.
Colors. Red is my favorite color. - Red is my favorite color.
Cities and everything that it consists of - bridges, squares, streets, parks. Times Square is situated in the central part of Manhattan. - Times Square is located in central Manhattan.
Significant buildings, public and two-word. My dream is to see Buckingham Palace. - My dream is to see Buckingham Palace. The exception to this rule is that the White House is correct.
Hotels and banks, establishments and shops that are named after the people who founded them. The prices in Johnson's Pharmacy are cheap. - Prices at Johnson's pharmacy are cheaper.
Countries whose name consists of one word. I'm from England. - I am from England. If they talk about a country whose name consists of more than one word or is used in the plural, they put a definite article. The United States of America and the Philippines.
Some geographic features are also used with article zero. These include: solitary islands, continents, lakes and mountains. Mount Etna is a volcano. - Mount Etna is a volcano. Madagascar is known for its nature. - Madagascar is known for its nature.

Above, we studied the main cases when the article is not used in the sentence. The absence of an article in English happens, as you have seen, in many cases.

When is the article omitted?

In some English sentences, the article is omitted, although it should be in the construction. This happens in cases where the sentence should be made as concise as possible, then it is advisable not to use them:

In the scenarios of the production. Actors stand near cupboard, then move to window. - The actors stand at the sideboard, then go to the window.
In the headlines. Seven people witness UFO. - Seven people saw UFOs.
In notes, footnotes, dictionary entries. John Updike. American poet, dramatist, author of the novel "Rabbit, run". - John Updike. American poet, playwright, author of the novel "Rabbit, Run."
In telegrams. Monthly report needed send first opportunity. - Requires a monthly report to submit as soon as possible.

It is worth noting that in the modern world, native speakers themselves use the article quite freely. Instead of a definite one says indefinite, and vice versa, and also them omit altogether. We are not recommended to do this when studying English.

Summary table of the use of articles in the British language

To summarize all of the above, we offer you a table that contains all the material on the studied topic "The use of articles in the English language."

The	A / an	Articles are not used
When is a specific noun in mind: Where is the book? - Where is this book?	One or another class of objects: It’s a pen - This is a pen.	A group of objects with common characteristics: Give me pens. - Give me pens.
With the already mentioned nouns: It’s a cap. The cap is good. - It's a cup. This is a nice cup.	In the meaning of any: Give me a pen. - Give me (any) pen.	Before proper names: Ann lives in Nizhny Novgorod - Anna lives in Nizhny Novgorod. May is my favorite month - May is my favorite month. See you on Monday - See you on Monday.
With a profession + proper name: Where is the doctor Brown? - Where is Dr. Brown?	Profession: I am an engineer. - I am an engineer.	If a noun is preceded by a possessive or demonstrative pronoun: my book - my book, this pencil - this pencil
Specifying the location: In the zoo - in the zoo, on the table - on the table, near the house - next to the house.	With the designation of the quantity: a half - half, a third - a third, a couple - a pair, a hundred - a hundred.	If there is a cardinal: Open your books at page 45. - Open your books on page 45.
With ordinal numbers: the first - the first, the fifth - the fifth, the twentieth - the twentieth.	Name of food: a meal is food, a nice lunch is good lunch, a good dinner is good dinner.	Food name: lunch - lunch, dinner dinner, breakfast breakfast.
With a superlative degree: the tallest of all animals is the tallest of all animals, the most beautiful is the most beautiful.	Common expressions: for a week - for a week, once a day - once a day, twice a year - twice a year, a cup of tea - a cup of tea.	Mode of travel: by air - by air, by bus - by bus, by plane - by plane, by bicycle - by bicycle, by car - by car, on foot - on foot, on horseback - by horse.
With nouns in the meaning of uniqueness: - the Earth - Earth, the Sun - Sun, the Moon - Moon. - the theater - theater, the cinema - cinema, the radio - radio, the television - television - the sea - the sea, the sky - the sky, the ground - the earth, the countryside - nature.		With nouns denoting the names of sciences and academic subjects: I like Phisics very much. - I really like physics.
When we talk about any type: the piano - a piano, the telephone - a telephone, the bicycle - a bicycle.		General English statements: Children like games. - Kids love to play (all kids, games)
When we talk about the type of plants, animals (but only in singular): the rose is a rose, the giraffe is a giraffe, the tiger is a tiger.		When we talk about famous people: President Kennedy - President Kennedy
With a group of people, nations: - the Browns - the Browns, the police - the police. - with nationalities: the Russians - Russians. - before adjectives: the rich - rich, the old - old		Time expressions: at night - at night, at noon - at noon, by day - during the day.
Time expressions: in the morning - in the morning, during the night - at night, the next day - the next day.		Continent names: Asia, Africa, Europe, South America.
Continent names: the Arctic - Arctic, the Antarctic - Antarctica.		Country names (single word): Spain, France, China
Country names (if there are words: union, federation, kingdom, state; or plural): the Netherlands - the Netherlands, the USA - the USA, the Russian Federation - Russia, the United Kingdom - the United Kingdom.		The names of mountains, lakes, islands (consisting of one word): Jamaica
The names of mountain ranges, groups of lakes, and groups of islands: the Alps - Alps, the Baikal - Baikal, the Hawaiian Islands - Hawaiian Islands.		Cities, squares, streets, etc. in the city: New York, London Bridge, Oxford Street. But: The Mail, the Royal Palace, the Bank of England
Names of rivers, canals, bays, straits: the Volga - Volga, the Panama Canal - Panama Canal, the Gulf of Mexico - Gulf of Mexico.		Some expressions (preposition + noun): for example - for example, on time - for time, in turn - in turn, day by day - day by day
The names of deserts, oceans and seas: the Gobi Desert - the Gobi Desert, the Atlantic Ocean - the Atlantic Ocean, the Caspian Sea - the Caspian Sea.		Some expressions (ch + noun): Shake hands. - Shake hands. Expressions (go to, be at / in): Go to bed, class, hospital - go to bed, class, hospital. Be at church, school. - To be in church, school.
Region names: the Midwest.		Newspaper headlines, advertisements: Police seek man in blue trousers. - The police are looking for a man in blue trousers.
With the name of the newspapers: The Times, The Washington Post.
With the name of hotels, restaurants, museums, galleries, theaters, cinemas.
With the seasons

When it is clear from the previous context or from the situation what object, phenomenon, etc. is being discussed, or when a specific object, etc. is meant, known in the situation to the speaker and listener, or when the given noun is already at least earlier mentioned in this context.
Close the door, please. Close the door, please.
(specific, this door, the door in the room in which the speaker is located or which he means situationally).
Ann is in the garden. Anna (is) in the garden (which is near the house, in the known to us, etc.).
Please pass me the wine. Please pass me the wine (the one on the table).
A car struck a tree. You can see the mark on the car and the tree. The car hit a tree (some car hit some tree). Traces of what happened are visible on (this) car and on (that) tree.
Before a countable noun in the singular, which means an animate or inanimate object as a representative of the entire class, category or group, that is, an object that expresses the general in a single concept.
The Hon is the king of beasts. Leo is the king of beasts (all lions).
The young man must be polite. The young person should be polite (the young person representing the younger generation).
Before nouns that are one of a kind:
the Earth - Earth, the Sun - Sun, the sky - sky.
Before nouns that have a definition with them, expressed in a definitive restrictive turnover, sometimes with the preposition of.
The water in the river was very cold. The water in the river (water in this river) was very cold.
The girl in blue stood by the window. The girl in blue (the girl in blue, not red or white) stood by the window.
The English teacher of our group was ill. Our group's English teacher was sick.
Usually before nouns:
- which are defined by adjectives in the superlative degree (meaning "most").
  He is the best student in our group. He is the best student in our group.
- which are used with definitions expressed by the words same - the same, very - the same, only - the only one, next - the next, last - the last.
  Read the same text. Read the same (same) text.
  You are the very man I am looking for. You are (exactly) the (very) person I am looking for.
  The next day we went to Moscow. The next day we went to Moscow.
Before nouns denoting the names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, ships, newspapers, some states, cities, as well as before proper names in the meaning of a whole family:
the Volga - the Volga, the Black Sea - the Black Sea, the Pacific Ocean - the Pacific Ocean, the Alps - the Alps, the Kurchatov - Kurchatov (ship name), the Pravda - Pravda (newspaper), the Ukraine - Ukraine, the Smirnovs - Smirnovs (the whole Smirnov family or Smirnov's husband and wife).
Before the names of musical instruments, when this type of instrument is meant in general, and not a unit, one of them.
She learns to play the flute. She is learning to play the flute.

Usually articles are not translated into Russian. However, in rare cases, the context requires translation of the indefinite article in words any, any, one of), and a certain one - the (same) or this (the most):

She murmured a name and the name was not John. - She whispered some name, and name is it wasn't John.

Consider three cases: when an indefinite or definite article is used in front of a noun, and when it is not used.

Indefinite article

Indefinite article a (an) descended from the numeral one (one), so it is used only with singular nouns.

When changing the singular to the plural, the article is dropped, and if a certain quantity is meant, then the pronoun is put instead of the article some:

Give me a book. - Give me books.
Give me an apple. - Give me some apples.

The indefinite article has the variant but, if it comes before a noun starting with a consonant: a s tudent; and option an- before a noun starting with a vowel: an a pple.

A noun with an indefinite article represents the name of an item in general, not a name for a specific item. For example a student evokes the idea of a student in general, that is, of a student of a higher educational institution, but not of a specific person.

The meaning of the indefinite article can be expressed in Russian by such words as one, one of, some, some, some, any, any, each.

Usage rules

When you can substitute in front of a noun by meaning some, any, one of:

There is a pen on the table. - On the table is (some indefinite) pen (one of the class of pens).
A child can understand it. - (Any) child can understand this;

When the value is stored one:

Wait a minute! - Wait one minute!

The indefinite article is used with countable nouns in the singular... It is not used in the plural, sometimes it is replaced by indefinite pronouns some (several) any (any, any).

If there is a definition in front of a noun, then the article is placed before this definition: a story(story) an interesting story(interesting story).

Definite article

The definite article is singular the and came from the demonstrative pronoun that(that). It is used with both singular and plural nouns.

Article the pronounced in two ways:

[ðǝ] before nouns that start with a consonant: the student[ðǝˊstju: dǝntJ;
[ðɪ] before nouns that start with a vowel: the evening[ðɪˊɪ: vnɪη].

The definite article is used:

When you can put in front of a noun by meaning this(most) or that(most):

That is the house that Jack built. “This is (the) house that Jack built.

Before one of a kind nouns:

the sun - the sun;
the moon - moon.

Before adjectives in superlative degree:

the cleverest boy - the smartest boy;
the most difficult question - the most difficult question.

Absence of an article

The indefinite article is not used: before nouns in plural: an article - articles.

Real nouns, uncountable: water (water), salt (salt), tea (tea)- nouns that cannot be counted, for example, you cannot say: three waters.

The article is not placed before a noun when it is used in an abstract sense:

Man is the head but woman is the neck. - The man is the head, the woman is the neck.

Therefore, most often, abstract and real nouns are used without an article. But if these nouns are used in some specific meaning (as part of a substance, a shade of feeling, a certain quality of a phenomenon), then they are used with a definite or indefinite article in accordance with the above rules:

Light was coming into the room from somewhere. - Light penetrated from somewhere into the room.
Soon he saw a light in the distance. - Soon he saw in the distance some light.
The light was faint and uncertain. - This the light was faint and uncertain.
You may buy butter and bread in a shop. - You can buy butter and bread at any store.
The butter was bought in the nearest shop. - This is the oil was bought at a nearby store.
A coffee without bread can never serve as breakfast. - Any coffee without bread cannot serve as breakfast.

Even proper names are subject to these rules:

Is that the John I knew many years ago? - Is it really the same The John I knew many years ago?
Florence will never, never, never be a Dombey. - Florence will never be one of Dombey.

Use of articles with other qualifiers

The indefinite article is used after words such- such, rather- enough, quite- at all, as- in quality, as well as after what(in exclamation clauses) and half- half:

What a nice day! - What a lovely day!
It's rather a long way to the village. - It's pretty far to the village.

The definite article is used:

After

pronouns both- both and all- all:

All the stories were interesting. - All the stories were interesting.

phrases most of- majority, some of- some , many of- many , none of- none of:

Most of the gentlemen looked angry. Most of the gentlemen looked angry.

Front in words: same- the same, wrong- not the one right- that, very- precisely that one, only- the only one, next- next, last- last:

You are the very person I wanted. - You are exactly the person I need.

If the word next used in the meaning future, a last - past, then they are used without articles and prepositions.

Compare:

What is the next question? - What will be the next question?
I "ll come here next year. - I will come here next year.

Note!

With other qualifiers, such as possessive and demonstrative pronouns as well as negation no articles are not used:

There is no book on the table. - There is no book on the table.
She puts on her hat and coat. - She puts on her hat and coat.

Use of articles with proper names

Proper names are used either with the definite article or without the article. Examine the following table:

Semantic field	With article the	Without article
Water spaces	Rivers, seas, oceans, straits, bays - The Thames, the Atlantic Ocean, the Black Sea, the English Channel	Lakes - Lake Ontario
	Mountain systems - The Urals	Individual peaks - Everest
	Island Groups - The Bermudas	Selected Islands - Sumatra
		Names of continents, parts of the world, capes - Eurasia, Europe, Cape Horn
States	Names of states containing words denoting a state structure - Union, State, Republic, Kingdom: The United States of America, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The Republic of France	Names of states without designation of state structure - America, Great Britain, France
Printed editions	Published in English speaking countries -	Published in all other countries - Moscow News
	The whole family - The Smiths - Smiths. The Petrovs - Petrovs	One person - Smith, Petrov
Names	Hotels, ships, planes - The Metropol,	Names of streets, squares, cities - Trafalgar Square,

Exceptions: The Hague - The Hague, The Netherlands - The Netherlands, The Crimea - Crimea, The Ukraine - Ukraine, The Caucasus - Caucasus, The Congo - Congo, The Strand - Strand (street in London).

Rules for the use of articles a, an and the in English

Let's look at examples together and consolidate the rules for using articles in English.

Indefinite article

The indefinite article is used before a noun when it only names an object, classifies it as a representative of a certain kind of objects, but does not specifically highlight it.

a table is a table (specifically a table, not a chair) a chair is a chair.

When mentioning an object or person for the first time

That "s a pretty girl. - Beautiful girl.

In a generalized meaning: a noun with an indefinite article in this meaning means: any, everyone.

A cow gives milk. - A cow (every one) gives milk.

With professions:

My Dad is a Doctor. - My dad is a doctor.
She "s an architect. - She is an architect.

With some expressions for quantity:

a pair is a pair, a little is a little, a few is a few.

In exclamation sentences: before a singular countable noun after the word what.

What a beautiful day! - What a wonderful day!
What a pity! - What a pity!

Use of the definite article

The definite article is put in the event that the object or person in question is known to both the speaker and the listener (from the context, environment or as previously mentioned in this speech).

It is a chair
The chair is at the table - the chair is near the table

Try substituting this or that before a noun. If the meaning of the expressed does not change, then a definite article must be put in front of the noun, and if it changes, then an indefinite article is put before the noun in the singular (if it is countable), and not at all in front of the plural noun.

Re-mentioned, when it is clear from the previous text what it is about:

The girl was beautiful. - (This) Girl was beautiful.

Clear by the situation when it is clear what / who is meant:

The lesson is over. - The lesson is over.

Having an individualizing definition, that is, a definition that distinguishes this person or object from a number of similar ones.

Definition, n name tag:

This is the house that Jack built. - Here is the house that Jack built

Pronounced adjective in excellent form

This is the shortest way to the river - This is the shortest way to the river

Expressed in ordinal

He missed the first lecture. - He missed the first lecture

Definition Expressed by a Proper Name

the Bristol road - the road to Bristol.

Definitions expressed in words:

The next stop is ours. “The next stop is ours.

Before nouns one of a kind:

the sun - the sun
the moon - moon
the Earth - Earth
the floor - floor (one in the room)
the sea - the sea (the only one in the area)

Before adjectives and participles that become nouns with a plural meaning:

the strong - strong, the old - old people, the young - youth,

No article (zero article)

If there is a pronoun before the noun or possessive nouns.

My room is large - My room is large.

A noun is used without an article in the plural in those cases: When singular in front of him the indefinite article would stand:

I saw a letter on the table. - I saw a letter on the table.
I saw letters on the table. - I saw the letters on the table.

Uncountable real nouns.

water water, milk milk, chalk chalk, sugar sugar, tea tea, snow snow, grass grass, wool wool, meat meat and others.

Uncountable abstract nouns (abstract concepts).

weather weather, music music, power power, knowledge knowledge, art art, history history, mathematics mathematics, light light, love love, life life, time time
I like music - I love music.

But at the same time, some abstract nouns can be used with the indefinite article, expressing a variety of quality, state.

He got a good education. He received a good education.

In English, plural nouns can be preceded by the definite article, the pronoun some (any), or the determinant can be absent.

If one of the words can be put in front of a Russian noun by meaning: several, some, some, some the corresponding noun in the English sentence is preceded by the pronoun some (any).
If none of these words can be placed before a Russian noun, then there is no determinant before the corresponding noun in the English sentence.

I bought some apples yesterday - I bought apples yesterday ( some, some apples)

Definite and indefinite articles

What is an article and why is it actually needed?- Many of those who begin to learn English ask, because we can do without an article in Russian and nothing terrible happens, but the English needed it for some reason. What for? Let's start with the fact that in the Russian language, it turns out, there are also articles, only they are used a little less often and for some reason hesitate to be called articles, but this does not prevent them from performing the same functions as their English counterparts.

I know one man and this person will be able to help you. Didn't you find anything strange in this sentence? Why say "one person" if it is clear that he is alone? We often say the word "one" only to indicate ambiguity or the first mention of the subject of conversation. If we talk about a subject a second time, then as a rule we use the demonstrative pronoun "this" or "this". Remember, the beginning of many Russian fairy tales and anecdotes sounds like this: " One man ... and let's go this man once ... "or something like that.

In order not to take away your precious time, I will simply say: in this function, the Russian word "one" is an analogue of the English indefinite article "a". And he, in turn, historically comes from the word "one" - "one", and that is why it is used only with singular nouns.

The definite article is even simpler - it often replaces our demonstrative pronouns "this", "this", "this", "these". But since the British, and others like them Americans, Canadians and others, no less respected, Australians are very accustomed to these articles, they use them wherever possible, and sometimes even where it is impossible, and therefore in many cases they simply do not are translated. Now you can, perhaps, go directly to the articles.

Indefinite article.
I saw a man crossing the street. - I saw (one or one) person crossing the street.

And the definite article.
I’ve heard the guy is very rich. - I heard that this the guy is very rich.

When translated into Russian, the difference is obvious. In the first case, we do not know which person we are talking about, it is likely that we see him for the first and last time.
In the second case, we are definitely talking about some famous person, about whom we have heard or even seen somewhere.
There are only two articles in English - definite the and indefinite - a/ an... In some cases, nouns are used without articles at all, just like we do!
Here's another example:
For breakfast I had a sandwich and an apple. The sandwich wasn’t very nice.
“I ate a sandwich and an apple for breakfast. The sandwich was not very tasty.
The first time we speak a sandwich and an apple, in the second case, we say the sandwich, because we know which sandwich we are talking about: the one that was for breakfast.
You probably noticed that the indefinite article has two forms: a or an.
" a" is used when it is followed by a word that begins with a consonant, but if the word begins with a vowel, we use "an".
It is also worth mentioning here that if a noun is used with an adjective, then the article is placed before the adjective and the a / an rule remains in force.

For example:
A g oose - goose
An a ctress is an actress.
A c omfortable chair - comfortable chair
A n ice girl - a nice girl.
A d ifficult job is hard work.
An a ctive man is an active person.
This is easy to remember, because without the small letter "n" it will be very difficult to pronounce such words and phrases. Try to say: a animal, a actor, a elephant. Inconvenient, right? And it sounds kind of strange.
That's how: an animal, an actor, an elephant, you see, it's a completely different matter!
Thus, we use the indefinite article a/ an when it is not about a specific subject:
Please, sit down on a chair. - Please sit on a chair. (on any chair you like best).
When we talk about a specific subject, we use the definite article. the:

She sat down on the chair nearest the door. She sat down on the chair closest to the door. (a very specific chair, exactly the one next to the door).
We also use the, when the meaning is clear what or who we are talking about:
Can you turn off the light, please? - Could you turn off the light? (the meaning is clear that you need to turn off the light in the room or room in which they are located).
Now let's talk about the articles in more detail.

Indefinite article a / an used:

Before a countable noun in the singular, when it is first used:

I "ve seen a movie last evening. - I saw a movie last night.

Before a countable noun in the singular, when it denotes a representative of a class of objects:

A child needs love. - The child needs love. (i.e. all children (any child) need / need).

When a noun is part of a compound nominal predicate:

He is a talented writer. - He is a talented writer.

In some expressions denoting the quantity. Most often - the following:

a lot of ...
a great many ...
a great deal of ...
a couple ...
a dozen ...
a way too ...
for example: a way too much - too much

In expressions denoting price, speed, etc., replacing the preposition per- in, for:

5 dollars a kilo - $ 5 per kg
Twice a day - twice a day
20 km an hour - 20 km per hour

In exclamations before a countable noun in the singular:

What a pretty baby! - What a cute kid!

When the article can be replaced with the word "one":

Recently I "ve met a man. - I recently met a man. (you can say: with one man).

After quite, such

Such a wonderful day! - Such a wonderful day!

Please note that the indefinite article is not used with proper names, but in rare cases it can be used before Mr / Mrs / Miss + surname, indicating that the person is not familiar to the speaker:
There "s a Mrs. Newman to see you. - To you came (a certain) Mrs. Newman.

Definite article the used:

With objects that are one of a kind, such as:

The Earth - earth
The sea - sea
The sky - sky
The stars - stars
The Prime Minister - Prime Minister
The Queen - queen

Before a noun that has already been used:

There was a man talking to a woman near my house. The man looked English but I think the woman was foreign. - Near my house some man and woman were talking. The man looked like an Englishman, but the woman, I think, was a foreigner.

Before a noun, after which there is a definition expressed by a phrase or a subordinate clause:

The girl in white was very attractive. - The girl in white was very attractive.

Before the superlative adjective (we're talking about the degree of comparison):

The highest place in the country. - The highest place in the country.

Before ordinal numbers (i.e. those numbers that denote the order in counting and answer the questions: which? Which?)

She lives on the fifth floor. - She lives on the fifth floor.

Front only meaning "unique":

She was the only beautiful woman in his life. “She was the only beautiful woman in his life.

Before a noun in the singular, when it denotes a class of animals or objects:

The whale is in danger of becoming extinct. - The whale is on the verge of extinction. (it is clear that not one whale).

Before an adjective without a noun, denoting a class of people (so-called substantivized nouns - the name does not have to be memorized)

The old - old people
The poor - poor people, poor people

Before "next, last" + time period:

the next day
the last time.

Often, but not always, the definite article is used with the names of musical instruments:

He plays the piano.

With the names of nationalities, summarizing all representatives of this people:

the Americans

with some expressions like:

On the right / left, at the top / bottom, in the middle, at the cinema / theater, on the radio.

If you have carefully read this point, you already know that the indefinite article with proper names is almost never used. The situation is somewhat different with the definite article.

The definite article is used with proper names in the following cases:

Before the names of rivers, seas, canals, straits, groups of islands (namely, groups), mountain ranges (namely, chains), deserts, regions, countries in the plural:

Before the surname in the plural, denoting all family members, such as the Ivanovs or Petrovs:

The Browns, The Smiths

Before titles followed by "of":

The Prince of Wales - Prince of Wales

In the titles of books, films and television and radio broadcasts, the presence or absence of an article usually depends on the wishes of the author.

* Often Americans call their country in abbreviated form with the article: He came to the USA 5 years back. - He came to the USA 5 years ago. Gasoline price in the U.S. decreased slightly. - The price of gasoline in the US has dropped slightly. Often USA used without the article, while the U.S. always with the article. In the meantime, notice that the U.S. write correctly with dots, probably so as not to be confused with the pronoun us - us, us.

The article is not used at all:

Before plural nouns and uncountable nouns (uncountable nouns are those that cannot be counted: water - water, air - air, tea - tea, etc.). This item applies to the indefinite article only. It should be noted that with uncountable nouns, instead of the indefinite article, the pronoun "some" is often used: Would you like some milk? - Do you want some milk? Some sources refer to the word "some" as an article in this function.
Before breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, unless there is an adjective in front of them. Compare:

We have breakfast at 9. - We have breakfast at 9 o'clock.
We had a good breakfast. - We had a good breakfast.

Before the names of people, names of languages, names of games, as well as the names of days of the week, months, public holidays.

with Mike

in english
on Sunday

With words bed, church, court, hospital, prison, school, college, university, sea when these places are visited or used for their intended purpose. For example:

To go to hospital - go to the hospital (as a patient, not on an excursion)
To go to church - go to church (pray);

In the following well-established expressions, it is advisable to remember them:

all day / night long, all day / night through, day after day, from morning till night, from dusk till dawn, day and night.

at night, by day / night, at midnight, at sunset, for example, on time, in harmony, to take place, to catch cold

In expressions denoting a mode of transportation:

by bus - by bus
by plane, (by air) - by plane (by air)
on foot - on foot

That seems to be all we need to know about the article in order to speak correctly. It remains only to add a small fly in the ointment: native speakers often use the article quite freely, but for us, language learners, it is extremely undesirable to do so.

Now let's check your knowledge! Use the correct article: a/ an, the or the absence of an article.

I wrote my name at __ top of __ list.
__ Soviet Union was __ first country to send __ man into space.
After lunch we went for __ horseback ride.
I am not very hungry. I had __ big breakfast.
Tim lives in __ small village.
__ Chile is __ country in South America.

A and an are called the indefinite article. The is called the definite article.

Indefinite article a used before words starting with a consonant: a face, a camera. a used before u and eu when pronounced like y (/ j /): a university, a euro.

Indefinite article an used before words starting with a vowel: an arm, an onion. Also the indefinite article an used before words starting with h, when h not readable: an hour, an honor.

A number of articles will soon appear on the blog, in which the use of articles will be discussed in detail. This article covers only the main points.

A / an

Indefinite article a / an descended from the numeral one, and is used only with countable nouns in the singular.

The indefinite article is used in the following cases:

When we talk about a face and an object that mentioned for the first time, and is unknown to the interlocutor or reader.

I "ve been to a concert recently. - I recently went to a concert.

I live in a small town. - I live in a small town.

When we talk about any a person or object from a class.

A triangle has three sides. - A triangle has three sides.

With titles professions or type of activity.

My brother is a pilot, and I am a student. - My brother is a pilot, and I am a student.

The

the derived from the demonstrative pronoun that, and is used with both singular and plural countable nouns.

The definite article is used in the following cases:

When we talk about a person or an object that previously mentioned in conversation or text.

I went outside and saw a car parked in front of my house. The car seemed familiar. - I went outside and saw a car parked in front of my house. The car seemed familiar to me.

When it is clear from the context or situation, oh which one person or thing we are talking about.

I "m going to the supermarket. - I'm going to the supermarket (the one where I usually go).

Could you open the window? - Please open the window (window in this room).

When we talk about a person or an object, one of a kind.

The Moon revolves around the Earth in an elliptical orbit. - The moon revolves around the Earth in an elliptical orbit.

With adjectives in excellent degree.

You are the best mom ever! - You are the best mom.

5.With many expressions with of.

In the middle of the night

At the end of my holiday

The and absence of an article

The is used in the following cases:

In the names of countries that are formed using the plural, or in which there are words Kingdom or Republic.

the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom

With the names of everything related to water: oceans, rivers, seas, bays, straits (except for the names of individual lakes, which are used without an article)

the Baltic Sea, the British Channel, the Pacific Ocean, the Persian gulf