delve into the rules of English grammar, it is possible to get an answer that is understood by the article under the official part of the speech, which can only be used with nouns.
in this language are three types of articles: some (known as the), uncertainty (represented by two forms of a / an) and zero implies a complete and well-founded lack of this part of the speech.
use of articles in the English language may depend on several concomitant factors.Firstly, the type of noun, secondly, the context, and thirdly, we should not forget the numerous exceptions specific to the language.
General rules for the use of articles in the English language
This topic, I must say, quite extensive and difficult to remember, but not to be mistaken with the choice of the article from the beginning, I would recommend to proceed as follows:
- IdentifyIt calls whether the noun, which determines the desired article, the object as a whole, did not distinguish it from a series of similar or still points to a particular item.
example:
I bought a very interesting book yesterday.- I bought a very interesting book yesterday.(The proposal is meant that it was buying from a book, not a notebook, not the magazine, not the newspaper, namely, books).
The book I bought yesterday is interesting indeed.- The book, which I bought yesterday, really interesting.(Here the word "book" is specified, and we as readers know exactly what kind of publication is referred to in this sentence).
- establish whether the noun refers to the category of countable or uncountable.
example: a book (book), a trip (trip journey), a mate (friend) - quantifiable;
furniture (furniture), friendship (friendship), health (Health), love (love) - uncountable.
- Recognize form singular or plural noun;
example: a book - book (the word in the singular), books - books (in the plural).
use of articles in the English language.The indefinite article
One embodiment of the indefinite article "a" or "an" are used in the event that:
- object or a person, which will be discussed later, is mentioned in this context, for the first time;
- with countable nouns are used in the singular form, after a special turnover there is (in any time format).It is this phrase, and can enter into the text of a previously unknown object;
- before-predicative noun, noun referring thus to a certain class of such.For example: Kiev is a cosmopolitan city.- Kiev - is interethnic city;
- words after what (in exclamatory sentences), such, quite, rather.But do not forget that in this case should be a noun in the singular and to be countable.For example: My neighbor is quite a child.- My neighbor still a child;
- sometimes it retains its original translation of "one";
- to mean "every", "any".
- in phrases go for a walk - go for a walk, be in a hurry - a hurry, for a long time - for a long time, have a look - take a look.
3. The use of articles in the English language.The definite article
"The" is used in the following situations:
- in the event that both the speaker and listener know about a subject, person or concept in question;
- describes all members of one family.For example: the Ivanovs - Ivanov;
- with titles or ethnic groups.For example: the Governor - Governor, the Ukrainians - Ukrainians;
- from countries whose names inherently plural.For example: the USA - the United States, the OAE - the United Arab Emirates;
- groups of mountains, mountain ranges, islands and lakes.For example: the Carpathians - the Carpathian Mountains, the Great Lakes - Great Lakes;
- unique in its kind concepts, and this uniqueness can be shown as a whole (for example, the Moon - moon moon), and within, say, a particular office or school (eg: the Rector - Rector, the Chief Manager- general manager);
- with the names of the desert, seas, rivers, oceans and channels.For example: the Danube - Danube River, the Atlantic Ocean - Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean - the Mediterranean Sea, the Panama canal - the Panama Canal;
- with famous buildings, the names of ships and zoos.For example: the Titanic - «Titanic», the Houses of Parliament - The Houses of Parliament, the San Diego Zoo - Zoo, San Diego;
- at the mention of the wars, the names of newspapers and historical documents.For example: the Crimean War - Crimean War, the Times - the newspaper "The Times», the Constitution - the Constitution.
use of articles in the English language.Zero article
Typically, the article before the nouns of the language should be used.Cases in which it falls, are rare and should be carefully justified.
So, in English, there is no article in the following cases:
- before the names.For example, Sophia Rotaru - Sofia Rotaru;
- combined title + Name.For example, Queen Elizabeth - Queen Elizabeth;
- before the name of the beach, cities, states, countries and continents.For example: Kiev - Kiev, Ohio - Ohio US, Mexico - Mexico, South and North America -kontinenty Americas;
- with separately placed mountains, islands and lakes.For example, Everest - Mount Everest;
- at the mention of the planets and constellations.For example: Venus - the planet Venus, Mars - the planet Mars;
- with streets, boulevards and parks.For example, Wall Street, Madison Avenue, Hyde Park;
- with languages and diseases.For example, Chinese - Chinese;
- with the names of magazines and school subjects.For example: History - History, Math - Mathematics.
As you can see, the correct use of articles in the English language does not depend on the ability of a person to the languages.This is just a rule that you can not understand and realize the need to memorize by heart.And just to give this process a sufficient amount of time, you can finally learn how to use all three of the article English: definition, indefinite and zero.
