UNIVERSIDAD METROPOLITANA
VICERRECTORÍA ASOCIADA DE DESARROLLO Y RETENCIÓN
Programa de Tutorías
Articles
Definition
Articles are words that particularize nouns. The articles are: A An The
Article “a” •
The article “a” is an indefinite article.
It is used you refer to a specific or particular member of the group. Articles particularize nouns.
Examples: 1. Sarah has a horse. 2. George works in a store. 3. They bought a house.
Article “an” •
The article “an” is an indefinite article.
It is used when you refer to a specific or particular member of the group. Articles particularize nouns.
Examples: 1. Could you bring me an apple? 2. Sylvia is an English teacher. 3. We need an umbrella.
Article “the” •
The article “the” is a definite article.
It is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group.
Examples: 1. The house that we bought is beautiful. 2. The movie was very good. 3. Please, bring me the book named “Grammar Links”.
Rule 1 The article “a” is used before a singular noun that begins with a consonant or a word that begins with “h” where the “h” has a sound. Examples: Singular Nouns with a consonant Please, bring me a chair. I need a cup of coffee. Take a jacket.
Singular Nouns with “h” He has a hat. They want a horse. She is a hostage.
Rule 2 Use the article “an” before singular nouns that begins with a vowel or a silent “h”. Examples: Singular Nouns with a vowel
Singular Nouns with a silent “h”
Bring me an apple. We need an umbrella. They live in an island.
They left an hour ago. It is an honor.
Rule 3 • Use “a/an” to define or classify a place, person or thing. Examples: 1. A cat is a pet. 2. A tree is a plant.
3. An apple is a fruit.
Rule 4 Use the article “the� when the person, place or thing is unique; when there is only one.
Examples:
1. Sydney is the capital of Australia. 2. Sila Calderon was the Governor of Puerto Rico. 3. The Universidad Metropolitana is in Cupey
Rule 5 • Use the articles “a/an” when the person, place or thing is unique. (When there is only one.) • Use the article “the” when the person, place or thing is unique. (When there is only one.) First Time Use
Second Time Use
Shirley has a baby. We have a car.
The baby is beautiful . The car is fast.
I bought an umbrella.
The umbrella is big.
References • Butler, L., & Podnecky, J. (n.d.). Grammar Link Second Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company. • Using Articles: A, An, The. (n.d.). Retrieved from Writing Center: http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/article.html
Prepared by: • Cristabel R. Ocasio Ilarraza • Nirazatte L. González Abella