Articles
Most of us are highly prone to commit errors related to "articles", as there is no such thing as "articles" in Hindi or any other Indian language. But to an accomplished speaker of English, the wrong usage (or omission) of articles can be very jarring to the ears.
There is no escape. CAT lays a lot of emphasis on articles. So we have to learn to use the right article in the right place or to omit the article where it is not required. Almost 40 percent grammar questions in the CAT are from articles.
The good news: There are only three articles.
The bad news: There are enough rules and exceptions to confuse you unless you pay close attention to the theory and practise practise and practise.
Three forms of articles
There are three forms of articles. "A" and "an" are called the indefinite articles. "The" is the definite article.
"A"or"an"?
Should you use "a" or "an" before a noun? This depends upon the spellings, sound or pronunciation of the noun.
"A" is used before nouns that begin with a consonant.
Examples: A boy, a table, a house, a book.
"A" is also used before words beginning with a vowel that is pronounced with a consonant sound.
Examples: A European, a unique chance, a one-rupee note, a usual sight, a universal truth, a utensil, a uniform, etc.
Note: You will see that all these words begin with the sound of "y" or "w" (which are consonants) and not with the sound of any vowel.
“An” is used before those words which begin with a vowel ( a, e, i, o , u ).
Examples: An enemy, an ox, an inkpot, an ass.
"An" is also used before those words which begin with a silent "h".
Examples: An hour, an honourable man, an honest person, an heir, an hour, etc.
Some abbreviations are pronounced with a vowel sound and therefore "an" is used before them.
Examples: An MBA, an MP, an MLA, an FIR, an HMT, an RTO, etc.
If these abbreviations are used in their full form, they take article "a". Examples: A Member of Parliament (an MP), a Master of Art (an MA).
When to use the indefinite article, "a" or "an"
Representing a whole class
When a singular countable noun represents a whole class, the indefinite article is used before the noun.
1. A cow has horns. (All cows have horns.)
2. An eagle flies very high. (All eagles fly very high.)
3. A dog is a faithful animal.
4. A rose smells very sweet.
More than one noun or adjective
When more than one noun or adjective point to one person or thing, "a" or "an" is used before the first noun or adjective and its form is determined by the same first word.
But if the nouns or adjectives point to different persons or things, "a" or "an" is used before each word, and the form of the article is determined by each word separately.
1. He gave me a red and blue pencil. (Only one pencil)
2. He gave me a red and a blue pencil. (Two pencils)
3. Here is an ugly and foolish man. (One person)
4. Here are an ugly and a foolish man. (Two persons)
After such, so, what, how, etc.
1. I have never seen such a beautiful picture. (Nota such beautiful)
2. Such a thing has never happened before.
3. It was such a fine show.
4. He gave us such a pleasant surprise.
5. I have never seen so beautiful a picture. (Not a so beautiful picture)
6. It was so fine a show.
7. He gave us so pleasant a surprise.
8. I have never read so interesting a novel.
9. What a hot day!
10. What a cruel act!
11. What a pretty child!
12. What a good chance!
13. How good a chance!
Watch out for the following expressions:
Many a man, such a beautiful girl, such a house, what a man, what a place, as gentle a girl as she, as brave a man as he, how good a boy, how excellent an opportunity, so serious an attempt, so brave a man, too clear an answer, too far a place.
Numerical expressions
"A" or "an" is used before some numerical expressions also.
Examples: a couple, a dozen, a score, a hundred, a thousand, a million, a lot of, a great many of, etc.
1. A couple of people were there.
3. A great many visitors had turned up.
Expressions of price, speed, ratio, etc.
"A" or "an" is also used with expressions of price, speed, ratio, etc.
1. The train is running at 90 kilometres an hour.
2. Bananas are available at 10 rupees a dozen.
3. Sugar sells at 10 rupees a kilo.
4. Colour and water are mixed in a ratio of one to five. (Not "the ratio')
5. Take this medicine three times a day.
With a surname
If we know only the surname of a person, and know nothing more, we use "a" before the surname.
1. A Mr. Sharma came in the morning. 2. I met a Mrs. Peters on the train.
3. A Miss Renick is a regular visitor here 4. A Ms. Puri is waiting for you.
With some typical phrases
"A" or "an" is also used before some typical expressions.
Such expressions include: To make a noise, to take a fancy to, to have a headache or a pain, to take a liking to, to have a cold, to have a mind of one's own, to have an eye to, to make a fire, to be in a hurry, to be in a temper, to have a taste for.
When to use the definite article, "The"
Before definite person or thing
Article "the" is used before a definitely specified person or thing. In other words, "the" is used before a person or a thing which has already been referred to earlier, or which has been specified in some other way.
1. This is the house in which my friend lives. (Here a house cannot be used because the house has been specified as the one where my friend lives.)
2. The place where I was born is far away from here.
3. This is the book I purchased yesterday.
4. He is the gentleman whom I introduced to you last year.
Unique common nouns
"The" is used before all those common nouns which are only one or believed to be only one (but which are not proper nouns).
1. The earth is round. 2. The sky is blue.
3. The sun has risen. 4. The moon shines.
Before representative singular nouns
1. The cow is a gentle animal. 2. The rose is a sweet smelling flower.
3. The apple is good for children. 4. The horse lives on grass.
Please note that in all these cases, it is also correct to use "a". So we can also say, "a cow", "a rose", "an apple" and "a horse".
"The" is not used before man, woman, or mankind, even if they represent the whole class.
1. Man is a social animal. (Not The man)
2. Woman is man's partner. (Not The woman)
Before names of mountains, rivers, oceans, lakes, bays, islands, etc.
1. The Ganges is a holy river. 2. The Himalayas are the highest mountains.
3. The Red Sea is a small sea. 4. The British Isles are in Europe.
But "the" is not used before a single specified peak or hill.
1. Mount Everest (notthe Mount Everest) 2. Mount Abu (not the MountAbu)
Before the titles of books, magazines or newspapers
Examples: The Ramayana, The Iliad, The Vedas, The Gulliver's Travels.
But if the author's name is mentioned with the title of a book, "the" is not used. Examples: Homer's Iliad, Tuisi's Ramcharitmanas, Shakespeare's Tempest.
Before musical instruments
The flute, the guitar, the orchestra.
Before superlative adjectives or adverbs
The highest mountain, the longest river, the best boy, the most important point, the most honourable man.
Before the proper noun which carries its qualifying adjective before it
1. The great Caesar 2. The immortal Shakespeare
3. The gentle-hearted Lamb 4. The brave Rana Pratap
5. The late Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
Before the common noun which expresses the sense of an abstract noun
1. The patriot in him did not let him yield.
2. The warrior in him kept his morale high.
3. The father in him came to his support at last.
Before proper nouns that stand for some nation or people
1. The English are very hard working. 2. The French are very fashionable.
3. The German are heroic people.
If "the" is not used before such countries or nations, they would mean the language of those countries or nations. Thus "English" means "English Language", and "The English" means "English people".
Before a noun to give it the force of the superlative
1. He is the scholar of the day. 2. He is the historian on this period.
3. PT is the institute to join for MBA entrance training.
Before ordinal numbers
The first, the fifth, the fourth, the 4th, the 8th, the 3rd, the 2nd, the 15th of April, the fifteenth of April, George the Fifth, Henry the 8th.
But if these ordinal numbers are written in Roman figures, "the" is not used.
Examples: V Chapter, Canto XII, George V, Henry VIII.
Before names of professions
1. He has joined the bar. 2. He has gone to the navy.
3. I am interested in the teaching profession. 4. He is a member of the bench.
Before common nouns used as appositions to proper nouns
1. Delhi, the capital of India
3. Rana Pratap, the great warrior
When to omit articles
Before plural nouns
Normally no article is used before plural nouns.
1. Birds fly. 2. Cows give milk
2. Nehru, the great patriot hove books.
But if the plural noun points to some specific or special thing, "the" is used.
1. The birds of Africa are large in size. 2. The cows of Haryana give much milk.
Before a proper noun
1. Ram is coming. 2. Mohan loves his sister.
Some of us have a peculiar tendency to use "the" before proper nouns. For example, we say, "India will not attack the Pakistan". This is very painful to hear. Please avoid this mistake.
Before an abstract noun
1. Love is blind. 2. Wisdom comes with age.
3. This is real beauty.
Before a material noun
1. Gold is costly. 2. Silver is white.
3. Cotton grows in our country. 4. Water is life.
Note: Normally, no article is used before uncountable nouns. If these nouns are followed by some prepositional phrase (with in or of), they become countable nouns. In such cases, "the" is used before them.
1. Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India.
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2.
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The beauty of Kashmir is remarkable.
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3. The gold of Kollar fields is not of high quality.
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4.
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The milk in the cup has turned sour.
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5. The wisdom of Solomon was known far and wide.
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Before collective nouns
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1. Society will not permit it.
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2.
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Parliament is in session.
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3. Jury has given its verdict.
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4.
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Army is on the move.
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Before names of certain countries
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Normally no article is used before the names of countries or states. But "the is used before the names of the following countries an
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"
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states: The USA, the UK, the Sudan, the Netherlands, the Congo, etc.
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Before names of languages, diseases, festivals, seasons
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1. I know English.
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2.
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He knows French.
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3. Cholera has broken out.
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4.
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He is coming on Christmas.
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5. These are winter sports.
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6.
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Let us visit Shimla in spring.
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7. I don't travel in summer.
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Before names of games, sports and meals
1. I am late for dinner. 2. I have breakfast quite early.
3. I shall return for supper. 4. He plays cricket.
5. They are fond of football.
Before names of relations
No article is used before names of relations such as father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, etc. Cook and nurse are also included in this list.
1. Father is coming today. 2. Mother is not well today.
3. Cook is in the kitchen. 4. Nurse is very kind.
Before names of institutions used for their specific function
School, college, church, chapel, court, work, hospital, market, bed, table, sea, prison also take no article before them when they are used for their specific purpose or function. For example, schools or colleges for education, church for prayer and market for purchase or sale.
1. I am going to college. (forstudy) 2. I am going to church. (for prayer or worship)
But when they mean only building or place for visit or sightseeing or any other purpose, they take appropriate articles.
1. The college is at the next crossing. 2. The church is magnificent.
3. The market is closed.
Complement used after "elect", "appoint", "make" or "crown"
Such nouns refer to men of unique position.
1. He was appointed principal.
2. They made him chairman.
3. They are going to crown him king.
4. He was elected speaker of the assembly.
Before noun used after "kind of" or "sort of"
1. What kind of chair do you want to buy? 2. I cannot deal with this sort of man.
But if kind of or sort of refers to some special quality or talent, it would take an appropriate article.
1. What kind of a musician is he?
2. What sort of a problem would you like to discuss?
Nouns in pairs
They are wife and husband.
Other such pairs are: Father and mother; brother and sister; father and son; from door to door; from house to house; face to face; hand to hand; from man to man; from village to village, etc.
Some popular phrases, idiomatic expressions, places and things
1. To go to: school, college, court, church, market, bed, home, hospital, prison etc.
2. By: road, train, air, sea, ship/steamer, bus, car etc.
3. At home, at church, at school, at college, at office, at dawn, at night, at noon, all day, all night, at fault, at present, at all, at will.
4. For sale, for fear, for favour, for leave, for mercy.
5. In bed, in debt, in fact, in trouble, in hand, at hand, in favour of, in front of, in opposition to, in earnest.
6. Under consideration, under trial, under ground, under pressure.
7. On demand, on trial, on sale, on foot, on earth, on behalf of.
8. To catch fire, to send word, to give ear, to set sail, to lose heart, to set foot, to take offence.
Articles revisited
Incorrect
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Correct
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The President underscored the need for a
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The President underscored the need for a
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constructive and a realistic dialogue of
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constructive and realistic dialogue of issues
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issues of global interest,
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of global interest.
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The English and the Hindi language have
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The English and Hindi language have their
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their own merits.
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own merits.
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The English and Hindi languages have their
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own merits.
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My father is the chairman and the
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My father is the chairman and managing
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managing director of his company.
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director of his company.
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The manager and the assistant of
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Mr.Bhandari were present at the party.
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The manager and assistant of Mr.Bhandari
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(Two persons)
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were present at the party.
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OR
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The manager and assistant of Mr.Bhandari
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was present at the party. (One person)
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_
Tendulkar is a better batsman than a
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Tenduikar is a better batsman than bowler.
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bowler.
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There are hundred centimetres in the
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There are hundred centimetres in a meter.
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meter.
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He has been causing trouble since a day he
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He has been causing trouble since the day
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came.
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he came.
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The story is there in Bible.
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The story is there in the Bible.
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Kumble is best bowler in the country.
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Kumble is the best bowler in the country.
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They won the match in fortieth over.
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They won the match in the fortieth over.
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The science has developed much in the past
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Science has developed much in the past
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hundred years.
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hundred years.
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What kind of a hobby is this?
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What kind of hobby is this?
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Iron is a useful metal.
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An iron is a useful metal.
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OR
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An iron is a useful gadget.
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The strength of character is what makes a
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Strength of character is what makes a man
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man successful.
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successful.
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S D Sharma was elected the president of
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S D Sharma was elected president of the
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the country.
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country.
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Articles in place and omitted
Study the following paragraphs for the right use (and omission) of articles, and for the use of certain expressions. You will see almost all the rules of articles in action here.
Thatched roofs catch fire (start to burn) in summer. Send word (send the message) to me if this happens. I shall definitely give ear (listen) to the message. The messenger who brings word (brings the message) will also be rewarded.
Tired of life on land, we shall set sail (begin a journey on ship) for distant places. We shall not cast anchor (lower the anchor) before at least a month will have passed.
But why do I think of these plans now? Nothing has gone wrong so far. So, there is no need to lose heart (get disappointed). No enemy has laid siege to (started the siege of) our homes. I shall take offence (feel hurt) if you even plan to leave home.
One should feel at home (comfortable) wherever one's home is. A bird in hand (able to be used) is worth two in the bush. Besides, a change of place may lead you into debt. So, don't let your mind run astray. Work hard by day (during the day) and sleep calmly by night (during the night). See how the birds get to work at daybreak. You should be ready at sunrise at least. If it is too hot at noon, take some rest. But see to it that you are a satisfied man at sunset. Take it from me — you can't work at night.
Enough of preaching — is that what you say? All right, I stop there. But, on demand, I narrate one of my experiences. I borrowed a huge sum at interest and decided to visit the most exciting place on earth. I travelled by land, by water, by river, by train, by steamer, and even on horseback and on foot. I tried to know each place en route by name. I stayed at hotels. One day at dinner a man told me: "Have you gone mad? The land is full of tension. None is at ease here." I replied in jest (jokingly): "If the land is full of tension, I'll add some of mine to it."
Do you know what excitement I had there? When I reached there, I came to know that the army had orders to shoot at sight (as soon as seen). My adventure then consisted of hide-and-seek games. I often went in shelters underground to avoid being destroyed in bombing.
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