Article
1. Introduction
The words “A” or “An” and “The” are called Articles. They come before nouns.
There are two Articles – “A (or An)” and “The”.
“A” or “An” is called the Indefinite Article, because it usually leaves indefinite the person or thing spoken of;
For example, A Ground, A Cow
Indefinite Article (Not Sure): If you are talking about some random thing or person, then you use Indefinite Article. In the above example, ‘A Cow’ means a random cow. Similarly, ‘A Ground’ means any random ground and no one can be sure which we are talking about.
“The” is called the Definite Article, because it normally points out some particular person or thing.
For example, The Cow, The Ground.
Definite Article (a particular thing or person): If we say ‘The’ before any noun, it means we are talking about a particular thing or person. In the above example ‘The Cow’ means a particular cow. Similarly, ‘The Ground’ means a particular ground.
2. Usage of Articles
i) Use of the indefinite article
Incorrect: There are 365 days in the year.
Correct: There are 365 days in an year.
Every year has 365 days and it is not about the particular year.
Indefinite articles can also be used in a sense of each, every or per.
The doctor said “Take the pill twice a day.”
ii) Use of the definite article
Incorrect: He has been causing trouble since a day he came.
Correct: He has been causing trouble since the day he came.
In the above example, the statement is about a particular day therefore ‘the’ will be used
When a singular noun is meant to represent a whole class.
The Elephant is a huge animal.
Exercise-1:
In the below quiz, try to find the errors related to Articles.
1. As soon as the teacher (a)/ entered everyone (b)/ in the class fell (c)/ in a silence.(d)/ No error (e)
2. On my request (a)/ Lalit introduced me (b)/ to his friend who (c)/ is singer and a scientist.(d)/ No error(e)
3. To perform this (a)/ experiment drop (b)/ little sugar into a glass of water (c)/ and see the change.(d)/ No error (e)
4. Even now when I (a)/ see the spot (b)/ I am reminded of an unique accident (c)/ that took place several years ago.(d)/ No error (e)
5. With little (a)/ imagination and enterprise the tournament (b)/ could have been transformed (c)/ into a major attraction.(d)/ No error(e)
6. Page after page (a)/ of Gita were read (b)/ and it gave great (c)/ consolation to his mind.(d) No error (e)
7. One should (a)/ be true to one’s promises (b)/ in order to earn (c)/ name & fame in the life.(d) No error (e)
8. The robbers were (a)/ caught just as they (b)/ were about to escape (c)/ from the jail.(d)/ No error(e)
9. The man is mortal (a)/ and ultimately he has to leave (b)/ everything here yet how irrationally (c)/ he remains attached to his worldly possessions.(d)/ No error(e)
10. In a mountaineering (a)/ expedition higher you (b)/ go from the base (c)/ camp the colder you feel.(d)/ No error (e)
Answers-1
1. (d)
Omit ‘a’ before “silence” as it is uncountable noun.
2. (d)
It should be “A singer and scientist”
3. (c)
Put ‘a” before “little”.
4. (c)
Replace “an” with “a”.
5. (a)
Put “a” before “little”
6. (b)
Put “the” before “Gita” as it is the name of a religious text.
7. (d)
Omit “the” before “Life”
8. (d)
Omit “the” before “jail” as it has been used for primary purpose.
9. (a)
Omit “the” before “man”.
10. (b)
Put “the” before “higher” as it is a comparative.
