CSS PMS MENTOR (ONLINE)
ARTICLES
(a, an, the)
TAHIR NAWEED
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (4th Position)
PMS 2020 & PMS 2021 Qualifier
FORMER VISITING LECTURER AT UOS
CSS PMS MENTOR (ONLINE)
ARTICLES
• 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; as,
• A doctor; that is, any doctor.
• The is called the Definite Article, because it normally points out some particular
person or thing; as,
• He saw the doctor; meaning some particular doctor.
• The indefinite article is used before singular countable nouns, e.g., A book, an
orange, a girl.
• The definite article is used before singular countable nouns, plural countable nouns
and uncountable nouns, e.g., The book, the books, the milk.
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A or AN
• The choice between a and an is determined by sound. Before a word beginning
with a vowel sound an is used; an enemy, an ink-pad, an orange, an umbrella, an
hour, an honest man, an heir.
• It will be noticed that the words hour, honest, heir begin with a vowel sound, as the
initial consonant h is not pronounced.
• Before a word beginning with a consonant sound a is used; as, A boy, a reindeer, a
woman, a yard, a horse, a hole, also a university, a union, a European, a ewe, a
unicorn, a useful article.
• because these words (university, union, etc.) begin with a consonant sound,
that of yu.
• Similarly we say, A one-rupee note, such a one, a one-eyed man because one begins
with the consonant sound of w.
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USE OF DEFINITE ARTICLE
• The Definite Article the is used—
(1) When we talk about a particular person or thing, or one already referred to (that
is, when it is clear from the context which one we mean); as,
• The book you want is out of print. (Which book ? The one you want.)
• Let’s go to the park. (= the park in this town)
• The girl cried. (the girl = the girl already talked about)
(2) When a singular noun is meant to represent a whole class; as,
• The cow is a useful animal. [Or we may say, “Cows are useful animals.”]
• The horse is a noble animal.
• The cat loves comfort.
• The rose is the sweetest of all flowers.
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USE OF DEFINITE ARTICLE
The two nouns man and woman can be used in a general sense without either article.
• Man is the only animal that uses fire.
• Woman is man’s mate.
But in present-day English a man and a woman (or men and women) are more usual.
• A woman is more sensitive than a man.
(3) Before some proper names, viz., these kinds of place-names :
(a) oceans and seas, e.g. the Pacific, the Black Sea
(b) rivers, e.g. the Ganga, the Nile
(c) canals, e.g. the Suez Canal
(d) deserts, e.g. the Sahara
(e) groups of islands, e.g. the West Indies
(f) mountain-ranges, e.g. the Himalayas, the Alps
(g) a very few names of countries, which include words like republic and kingdom (e.g. the Irish Republic, the United
Kingdom) also: the Ukraine, the Netherlands (and its seat of government the Hague)
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USE OF DEFINITE ARTICLE (cont.)
(4) Before the names of certain books; as,
• The HOLY QURAN, the Bible, the Iliad, the Hamlet.
But we say— Homer’s Iliad, Shakespears Hamlet.
(5) Before names of things unique of their kind; as,
• The sun, the sky, the ocean, the sea, the earth.
Note—Sometimes the is placed before a Common noun to give it the
meaning of an Abstract noun; as,
• At last the warrior (the warlike or martial spirit) in him was thoroughly aroused.
(6) Before a Proper noun when it is qualified by an adjective or a defining adjectival clause; as,
• The great Caesar : the immortal Shakespeare.
• The Mr. Roy whom you met last night is my uncle.
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USE OF DEFINITE ARTICLE (cont.)
(7) With Superlatives ; as,
• The darkest cloud has a silver lining.
• This is the best book of elementary chemistry.
(8) With ordinals; as,
• He was the first man to arrive.
• The ninth chapter of the book is very interesting.
(9) Before musical instruments; as,
• He can play the flute.
(10) Before an adjective when the noun is understood; as,
• The poor are always with us.
(11) Before a noun (with emphasis) to give the force of a Superlative; as,
• The Verb is the word (= the chief word) in a sentence.
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USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE
The Indefinite Article is used—
(1) In its original numerical sense of one; as,
• Twelve inches make a foot.
• Not a word was said.
• A word to the wise is sufficient.
• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
(2) In the vague sense of a certain; as,
• A Kishore Kumar (= a certain person named Kishore Kumar) is suspected by the police.
• One evening a beggar came to my door.
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USE OF THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE
(3) In the sense of any, to single out an individual as the representative of a class; as,
• A pupil should obey his teacher.
• A cow is a useful animal.
(4) To make a common noun of a proper noun; as,
• A Daniel come to judgement ! (A Daniel = a very wise man)
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OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE
The Article is omitted—
(1) Before names of substances and abstract nouns (i.e. uncountable nouns) used in a general sense; as,
• Sugar is bad for your teeth.
• Gold is a precious metal.
• Wisdom is the gift of heaven.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• Virtue is its own reward.
Note—Uncountable nouns take the when used in a particular sense (especially when qualified by an adjective
or adjectival phrase or clause); as,
• Would you pass me the sugar? (= the sugar on the table)
• The wisdom of Solomon is great.
• I can’t forget the kindness with which he treated me.
CSS PMS MENTOR (ONLINE)
OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE
The Article is omitted—
(1) Before names of substances and abstract nouns (i.e. uncountable nouns) used in a general sense; as,
• Sugar is bad for your teeth.
• Gold is a precious metal.
• Wisdom is the gift of heaven.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• Virtue is its own reward.
Note—Uncountable nouns take the when used in a particular sense (especially when qualified by an adjective
or adjectival phrase or clause); as,
• Would you pass me the sugar? (= the sugar on the table)
• The wisdom of Solomon is great.
• I can’t forget the kindness with which he treated me.
CSS PMS MENTOR (ONLINE)
OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE
(2) Before plural countable nouns used in a general sense; as,
• Children like chocolates.
• Computers are used in many offices.
Note that such nouns take the when used with a particular meaning; as,
• Where are the children? (= our children)
(3) Before most proper nouns (except those referred to earlier), namely, names of people (e.g. Ali, Rahim), names of continents,
countries, cities, etc. (e.g. Europe, Pakistan, Nagpur), names of individual mountains (e.g. Mount Everest), individual islands,
lakes, hills, etc.
(4) Before names of meals (used in a general sense); as,
• What time do you have lunch ?
• Dinner is ready.
Note— We use a when there is an adjective before breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. We use the when we specify.
• I had a late lunch today.
• The dinner we had at the Tourist Hotel was very nice.
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OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE
(5) Before languages; as,
• We are studying English.
• They speak Punjabi at home.
(6) Before school, college, university, church, bed, hospital, prison, when these places are visited or used for their primary purpose; as,
• I learnt French at school.
• We go to church on Sundays.
• He stays in bed till nine every morning.
• My uncle is still in hospital.
Note—The is used with these words when we refer to them as a definite place, building or object rather than to the normal activity that goes on
there; as,
• The school is very near my home.
• I met him at the church.
• The bed is broken.
• I went to the hospital to see my uncle.
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OMISSION OF THE ARTICLE
(7) Before names of relations, like father, mother, aunt, uncle, and also cook and nurse, meaning ‘our cook’, ‘our nurse’, as,
• Father has returned.
• Aunt wants you to see her.
• Cook has given notice.
(8) Before predicative nouns denoting a unique position, i.e., a position that is normally held at one time by one person only; as,
• He was elected chairman of the Board.
• Mr. Banerji became Principal of the College in 1995.
(9) In certain phrases consisting of a transitive verb followed by its object; as, to catch fire, to take breath, to give battle, to cast
anchor, to send word, to bring word, to give ear, to lay siege, to set sail, to lose heart, to set foot, to leave home, to strike root, to
take offence.
(10) In certain phrases consisting of a preposition followed by its object; as,leave at home, in hand, in debt, by day, by night, at
daybreak, at sunrise, at noon, at sunset, at night, at anchor, at sight, on demand, at interest, on earth, by land, by water, by river, by
train, by steamer, by name, on horseback, on foot, on deck, in jest, at dinner, at ease, underground, above ground.
CSS PMS MENTOR (ONLINE)
LET'S PRACTICE
Complete the following sentences by filling in a or an or the as may be suitable
1. Copper is___useful metal.
2. He is not____honourable man.
3. ____able man has not always a distinguished look.
4. ____reindeer is a native of Norway.
5. Honest men speak_____truth.
6. Ali is_____young teacher.
7. Do you see_____blue sky ?
8. Makkah is_____holy city.
9. Aladdin had____wonderful lamp.
10. The world is____happy place.
11. He returned after_____hour.
CSS PMS MENTOR (ONLINE)
LET'S PRACTICE
Complete the following sentences by filling in a or an or the as may be suitable
1. Copper is___useful metal.
2. He is not____honourable man.
3. ____able man has not always a distinguished look.
4. ____reindeer is a native of Norway.
5. Honest men speak_____truth.
6. Ali is_____young teacher.
7. Do you see_____blue sky ?
8. Makkah is_____holy city.
9. Aladdin had____wonderful lamp.
10. The world is____happy place.
11. He returned after_____hour.
12. ____school will shortly close for the Eid holidays.
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LET'S PRACTICE
13. ____sun shines brightly.
14. I first met him_____year ago.
15. Yesterday _____ European called at my office.
16. Sanskrit is_____difficult language.
17. ____Ganga is____sacred river.
18. ____lion is____king of beasts.
19. You are_____fool to say that.
20. French is_____easy language.
21. Who is ____ girl sitting there?
22. Which is___longest river in Pakistan?
23. Asim has come without ____ umbrella.
24. Lahore is_____very costly place to live in.
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LET'S PRACTICE
25. She is_____untidy girl.
26. The children found____egg in the nest.
27. I bought ____ horse, ____ox, and____buffalo.
28. If you see him, give him____ message.
29. English is___language of__ people of England.
30. The guide knows____way.
31. Sri Lanka is ____island.
32. Let us discuss____matter seriously.
33. John got____best present.
34. Man, thou art____wonderful animal.
35. India is one of____most industrial countries in Asia.
36. He looks as stupid as____owl.
37. He is _____ honour to this profession.
CSS PMS MENTOR (ONLINE)
KEY
1. A 14. A 27. A, an, a
2. An 15. A 28. A
3. an 16. A 29. The, the
4. The 17. The, a 30. The
5. the 18. The, the 31. An
6. A 19. A 32. The
7. The 20. An 33. The
8. a 21. The 34. A
9. A 22. The 35. The
10. A 23. An 36. An
11. An 24. A 37. an
12. The 25. An
13. The 26. An