Structure of English Articles Presentation

ArticlesDefinite and Indefinite Articles

The, a, an

Prepared by: Angelica Grace Galwardo

Let’s define what Article means…

There are two types of articles: the definite article (the) and the indefinite articles (a, an).We usually use the indefinite article first to mention some person or thing. By doing that, we don’t have to be clear about which particular person or thing we are referring to. When we refer to the same person or thing again, we use the definite article The to indicate the person or thing already mentioned.

Definite Article…

The, the definite article, is one of the most common, if not the most common, words in English. The identifies a definite or particular noun that we know of because it has been mentioned. It is not about a noun that has not been mentioned beforehand or a noun that we are unaware of.

to refer to a person or thing when there is only one.• He is the ex-husband of my friend’s sister.• The flood occurred only in the east coast of the country.before superlatives, words such as first, only, etc.• Peacocks have the most beautiful feathers.• The first runner to cross the line will be declared the winner.•This duckling is the only pet I have.

Definite Article…

The definite article the as a determiner can be used before singular or plural nouns such as people or things, and before countable and uncountable nouns.

We use the determiner the:

to refer to people or things which we know because they have already been mentioned.

• There is a man doing magic at the marketplace. I know the man; he is my uncle.

• I know there are bats in that cave. I have been to the cave and seen the bats.

Definite Article…

before adjectives so that the adjectives become nouns. • Sometimes I hate myself for dreaming the impossible.• They buried the dead as soon as they could.before a singular noun that is representative of a group of similar people or things.• A large and flightless bird, the dodo is now extinct.• The satellite has many uses, the most important of which is the transmission of information.before proper nouns.• The Robinsons are the latest members of the ghost-hunting club.• The Niagara Falls is the largest waterfall in the world.

Definite Article…

Indefinite Article…

The indefinite articles a and an are used to introduce something that has not been mentioned before. The indefinite articles are not used before a plural noun. We use a before a word that begins with a consonant. We use an before a word that begins with a vowel, or a word that begins with a consonant but has vowel sound (e.g. hour, honor, etc.)

before the word one because one sounds as if it begins with a W (wun)• a one-way street, a one-eyed monster, a one-year course, a one-week holiday, etc.• I have a one-way ticket to travel from one place to another, as I don’t intend to visit a place twice.


We use a:when we mention something for the first time• I saw a dogbefore a word which begins with a consonant• There is a woman waiting for you.before a word with a long sound of u• a university, a uniform, a useful book, a European, a unique• It would be a unique opportunity to travel in space.


The indefinite article a also means one. We can use a or one as follow:•He keeps a/one dozen snakes as pets.•I have told you a/one hundred times to leave me alone! Sometimes, it is better to use a instead of one.• She wiped up the vomit with a mop.• Better than: She wiped up the vomit with one mop.• He had a bath before he went to bed.• Better than: He had one bath before he went to bed.


We can use a before a proper noun.•A Mr. Brown called to ask when you are going to return the borrowed money.•I still remember it was on a December morning when I drove through the fog into a tree.


We use anbefore a noun which begins with a vowel sound• They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away.before a singular noun (person or thing) to mean only one in quantity• She’s an only child.before a noun that is representative of a group, species, etc• An ostrich has only two toes on each foot.


before a noun that begins with a silent h• an hour, an honest man, an heir, an honor, an honorable man, etc.• It is going to close in an hour’s time.• I can’t read your writing. Is this an h or what?before abbreviations, some of which begin with a consonant• I have an X-ray on my lungs.• I saw an UFO hovering above my house.•He wanted to be an MP but was not elected to be one.


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Structure of English Articles Presentation