Articles

Among a, an and the a/an are called the indefinite articles and the is known as definite articles.

Uses of a/an:

1. A or An is used with a singular countable noun. Like,
   a box ; an apple
   a ball ; an orange
   a hotel; an inkpot
   • In the sense of one: Robin bought a new dress.
   • With jobs or permissions: Aman is an engineer.
   • In such + singular nouns: I want such a mobile.
   • With singular exclamations: What a boring event!
   • To mean each or every: Rita visit her son once a week.
     
     
2. Ais used with a noun that starts with a consonant sound and an is used with a noun that starts with a vowel sound.

• a bat ; an aeroplane
• a tiffin; an encounter
• a chain ; an illusion
• a mobile; an orange
• a cup ; an umbrella

In most cases, the letter e, o, u are pronounced as vowels but sometimes they act as consonants.

an essay ; a eucalyptus

an ox; a one eyed man

an urgent matter; a unicorn

3. An abbreviation whose first letter has a vowel sound comes with an and the abbreviation whose first letter has consonant sound comes with a.

• an SLC candidate ;a SAT score
• an MLA ticket; a WHO officer
• an NTC network; a BBC channel

4. . Singular countable noun that starts with the h letter come with a when it is pronounced, but they come with an when it is silent.

• h is silent ; h is pronounced
• an hour ; a hamburger
• an heiress ; a house
• an honest person; a half-yearly meeting

5. A is used with units of uncountable nouns.

• a bottle of oil ; a cup of tea
• a glass of milk ; a plate of rice

6. A is used with some phrases.

• a few friends ; a million
• a metre ; a dozen

7. A is used with some expressions like:

• have a drink
• at a glance
• get a fever
• at a loss
• in a hurry

8. Use a/an when it is used as a definite idea or comes with adjectives.

• Eg: The website provides an all round information.

9. Use a/an if an adjective comes before the meal.

• Eg: Rita had a light breakfast in the morning.

Uses of the:

1. The is used with superlatives and with other words like the same, the only which implies that there is only one or which makes something unique.

• Superlatives: The next part of the movie is very interesting.
• the only : Tina is the only person who understands me better than myself.
• the same: My shoes and bag are of the same color.

2. The should be used always with the names of following nouns.

• Religious books: the Bible, the Geeta, the Koran............
• Newspapers: the Kantipur, the Rising Nepal,....................
• Famous ships: the Titanic, the Queen Marry......................
• Political parties: the Nepali Congress, the Communist....
• Titles: the Prime Minister, the President...............................
• Deserts and canals: the Sahara, the Gobi, the Panama canal..
• Gulfs and peninsulas: the Black Forest, the Persian Gulf........
• Rivers and seas: the Karnali, the Nile, the Rhine...................
• Oceans and islands: the Atlantic ocean, the Pacific ocean......
• Plural names of countries: the Netherlands, the United States
• Geographical names: the United Kingdom, the United States of America...
• Nationality adjectives: the English, the French, the American.............
• Plural names of families: the Gurungs, the Ranas........................
• Period of history: the Stone age, the Modern Age......................
• Historic events: the Independence day, the Martyrs day...........
• Famous hotels: the Yak and Yeti, the Annapurna.............
• Museums and libraries: the National museum, the American Library....
• Historical buildings: the Taj Mahal, the Pashupati Nath Temple........
• Historical monuments: the statue of Liberty, the Little Mermaid.....
• Theatres and clubs: the Jay Nepal, the Kumari,........
• Geoographical areas: the West, the East,.......
• Celestial bodies: the Sun, the Moon, the Universe,......
• Mountain ranges: the Himalayas, the Alps,.............

3. Use the with musical instruments when we talk about them in many senses.

• Can you play the piano?
• My friend is playing the guitar.

4. Use the with parts of the body when we talk about their measurement, anatomy and function.

• The lung purifies the blood.
• The heart sends blood around the body.

5. Use the with gerund(ing) forms and abstract nouns in the structure.

• The main aim of our website is to develop the education system.
• The making of this video was not much expensive.

6. Use the when proper noun is treated as a common noun by comparision.

• Aman is the Leonardo Da Vinci of this class.
• Shreeja is the Shakespeare of this class.

7. Use the when uncountable noun is definite.

• The juice in the glass is sugar-free.
• The milk in the fridge is fresh.

8. Use the with the part of the body when it is referred to the person in the object position.

• The ball hit the old lady in the head.
• Kabir gave him a blow on the face.

Omission of articles:

1. Do not use articles with proper nouns in a general sense.

• He went Pokharalast week.

2. Do not use articles with abstract nouns in a general sense.

• Education is the birthright of everyone.

3. Do not use articles with meals.

• We take breakfast at home.
• Aman invited me for a lunch.

4. Do not use articles with uncountable nouns.

• He likes mango juice.

5. Do not use articles if they are used in the sentence for the primary purpose.

• They sell clothes in the showroom.
• The criminal is kept in the prision.