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Articles

 
Articles are important because they provide information on a subject.
 
  There are three types of articles:  
 
(a)   Indefinite article
(b)   Definite article
(c)   Zero article
 
     

 
 
5.1  Indefinite Articles
 
  • There are two articles in this category: 'a' and 'an'.
 
Article 'a' is used before a countable noun that starts with a consonant sound.  Article 'an' is used before a countable noun that starts with a vowel sound (any of these sounds: a,e,i,o, or u). 

Examples:

(a) a roller coaster

(b) a ghost house

(c) a useful tool

(d) a university

Note: University is read as 'Yew-ni-ver-si-ty', thus it starts with a 'yew' sound not a 'u' sound. 

Examples:

(a) an elephant

(b) an unforgettable experience

(c) an orange

(d) an hour 

Note: Even though 'hour' starts with the letter 'h', which is a consonant, the word is read as A-WER. The 'h' sound is not pronounced.) 

 
 
5.2  Definite Article
 
The definite article 'the' is used to refer to:
 
 Use Examples
(a) A particular item that can be in the singular or plural form.
  1. The purse I lost was a present from my dad. (singular noun)
  2. The cows in the field belong to Encik Dollah. (plural noun)
(b) Something which is one of a kind.
  1. The earth orbits the sun at an average distance of 149.60 million km.
  2. The moon is the earth's only natural satellite.
(c) Specific places such as buildings, seas, oceans, and rivers.
  1. The Magic Funfair was in town once more. 
  2. The Red Sea is the saltiest ocean in the world. 
(d) Also used when the subject is mentioned for the second time. 
  1. Amy bought a new purse. The purse is the latest edition. 
  2. My family and I went to a funfair. The funfair was so fun. 

 
 
5.3  Zero Article
 
Do not use any article when you refer to a plural object in general. 
 
Countable Nouns Is zero article possible? Which article to use?
YES THE
tiger

Lions are wild animals.

(Meaning: all lions)

The lions are fed twice a day.

(Specific lions)
flower

Brightly coloured flowers attract butterflies.

(Meaning: all flowers with bright colours attract butterflies)

The flowers in the vase are not real.

(Specific flowers)

 
 
  How articles are used in the text?  
     
      The Magic Funfair was in town once more. There was a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, an elephant ride, a ghost house, and many game counters. People of all ages were there. A group of girls tumbled out of the ghost house. They must have had the fright of their lives, but nevertheless, an unforgettable experience. The Ferris wheel was a favourite among the elderly and very young children. Teenagers and young adults went on the roller coaster. The most popular, though, was the elephant ride. The elephant was a new member of the Magic Funfair. The game counters offered prizes like stuffed toys, photo frames, and electrical items. Most people left the funfair with a gift or two, wide smiles and cotton candy.   
     

 
 
The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of pandai.

Articles

 
Articles are important because they provide information on a subject.
 
  There are three types of articles:  
 
(a)   Indefinite article
(b)   Definite article
(c)   Zero article
 
     

 
 
5.1  Indefinite Articles
 
  • There are two articles in this category: 'a' and 'an'.
 
Article 'a' is used before a countable noun that starts with a consonant sound.  Article 'an' is used before a countable noun that starts with a vowel sound (any of these sounds: a,e,i,o, or u). 

Examples:

(a) a roller coaster

(b) a ghost house

(c) a useful tool

(d) a university

Note: University is read as 'Yew-ni-ver-si-ty', thus it starts with a 'yew' sound not a 'u' sound. 

Examples:

(a) an elephant

(b) an unforgettable experience

(c) an orange

(d) an hour 

Note: Even though 'hour' starts with the letter 'h', which is a consonant, the word is read as A-WER. The 'h' sound is not pronounced.) 

 
 
5.2  Definite Article
 
The definite article 'the' is used to refer to:
 
 Use Examples
(a) A particular item that can be in the singular or plural form.
  1. The purse I lost was a present from my dad. (singular noun)
  2. The cows in the field belong to Encik Dollah. (plural noun)
(b) Something which is one of a kind.
  1. The earth orbits the sun at an average distance of 149.60 million km.
  2. The moon is the earth's only natural satellite.
(c) Specific places such as buildings, seas, oceans, and rivers.
  1. The Magic Funfair was in town once more. 
  2. The Red Sea is the saltiest ocean in the world. 
(d) Also used when the subject is mentioned for the second time. 
  1. Amy bought a new purse. The purse is the latest edition. 
  2. My family and I went to a funfair. The funfair was so fun. 

 
 
5.3  Zero Article
 
Do not use any article when you refer to a plural object in general. 
 
Countable Nouns Is zero article possible? Which article to use?
YES THE
tiger

Lions are wild animals.

(Meaning: all lions)

The lions are fed twice a day.

(Specific lions)
flower

Brightly coloured flowers attract butterflies.

(Meaning: all flowers with bright colours attract butterflies)

The flowers in the vase are not real.

(Specific flowers)

 
 
  How articles are used in the text?  
     
      The Magic Funfair was in town once more. There was a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, an elephant ride, a ghost house, and many game counters. People of all ages were there. A group of girls tumbled out of the ghost house. They must have had the fright of their lives, but nevertheless, an unforgettable experience. The Ferris wheel was a favourite among the elderly and very young children. Teenagers and young adults went on the roller coaster. The most popular, though, was the elephant ride. The elephant was a new member of the Magic Funfair. The game counters offered prizes like stuffed toys, photo frames, and electrical items. Most people left the funfair with a gift or two, wide smiles and cotton candy.   
     

 
 
The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of pandai.
Chapter : Reading Skills
Topic : Articles
Form 3 English
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