This site is designed for the best viewing experience on a tablet or larger device. It will not display properly on a phone. please try turning your tablet sideways for landscape mode to access the toolkit, otherwise you can download and view a PDF of the content via the link below.
Copyright © Monash University (2017). All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of English Connect web administrator. Material created by Dr Anna Podorova, Ms Julia Ghazarian and Dr Amber McLeod.
What is an article?
|
Articles are those small words a, an and the, that often appear before nouns in the English language. Please remember that all nouns in the English language have articles. Sometimes, it is a ‘zero’ article which we cannot see, but it is there! Nouns do not always follow the articles immediately; numerals and adjectives can be used between articles and nouns. Here is a tutor at work in a tutorial room. The tutor has an idea about how to help students write an assignment. The 20 tired students in the tutorial room have been trying to write the assignment all morning. The assignment is about the diagnostic test results. Please note how the articles in the story change from being indefinite (non-specific) to definite (specific) as the reader becomes more familiar with each topic. |
|
Articles are used to modify a noun
There are two types of articles: 'definite' and 'indefinite'. The definite article is used when we are being specific and the indefinite article is used when we are being non-specific.
| The = definite article | 'a' or 'an' = indefinite article | |
|---|---|---|
| The (can be used with both singular and plural forms) | 'a' or 'an' (= one, only used with singular nouns) - depending on the first sound of the noun. It is not always the same as the first letter. | |
| The teacher demonstrated several cards to the students. | The article 'a' is used before singular nouns (or phrases) that start with consonants: BCDFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXYZ a student a memorable experience | The article 'an' is used before singular countable nouns (or phrases) that begin with vowel sounds: A E I O U an experience an automatic tool An honours student (silent 'h') |
Three ways articles can be used
Articles can be used when referring to something in a general, non-specific (indefinite) or specific (definite) way.
| Noun | ||
 |
||
| General | Non-specific | Specific |
 |
|
|
| Referring to a noun in a general way; making generalisations | Referring to one of many items OR introducing a noun for the first time | Referring to a specific item OR mentioning the item for a second time |
|
|
|
| Example: A computer is very useful for study. | Example: Go and use a computer. | Example: The computer you gave me has a cracked screen. |
How articles are used with singular countable and uncountable nouns
| Singular noun | |||
 |
|||
| Countable Can be counted Example: 1 unit, 4 units | Uncountable Do not have a plural form Example: advice, information, knowledge, money, music, news, power, etc. | ||
|
|
|
|
| Non-specific a/an | Specific the | Specific the | Zero article (no article) |
|
|
|
|
| Example: A study on student motivation found... A study = 1 study | Example: It is important to discuss the study mentioned above. One specific study | Example: The research is important. A specific research project that is known to both speaker and listener. | Example: Research is important for universities. Research in general |
How articles are used with plural countable nouns
| Plural noun | ||
|
||
| Non-specific zero article | Specific the | |
|
|
|
| Example: Several studies on student motivation found... | Example: It is important to discuss the studies conducted by young researchers in Australian settings. | |
Copyright © Monash University (2017).
Copyright © Monash University (2017).
Apply what you have learnt in this module and click on the correct option(s) below
|
Monash students often have to give the oral presentations.
Football is a sport.
Football can be round or oval.
Try again
|
|
We are speaking generally about oral presentations (plural countable noun). No need for any article here. Revised version: Monash students often have to give oral presentations. This sentence is correct. Football is an uncountable noun which describes a kind of sport in this context. An article a is required to describe a singular countable noun football which describes an inflated object used to play soccer or football. Revised version: A football can be round or oval. |
Copyright © Monash University (2017).
Remember that all nouns in the English language have articles. The article can be a/an/the or the 'zero' article - you have to make an informed choice.
Pay attention to how articles are used in your readings.
When checking a noun in a dictionary, pay attention to whether the noun is countable or uncountable and which articles are used in examples.
Copyright © Monash University (2017).
Useful links on articles, common errors and more
Module 4: Articles, ASCENT, Monash University Articles tutorial, English page English grammar guide: Determiners, Edufind Articles, Englisch Hilfen Help yourself resources: Articles, Griffith University Grammar for engineering, Monash University Language and Learning Online Online Writing Lab: Articles, Purdue University
Face-to-face support
Who can help with English at Monash? LearnHQ consultations - support from a SAS learning advisor English Connect - improving conversational English and presentation skills
Resources – grammar books
Azar, B. S. & Hagen, S.A. (2009). Understanding and using English grammar (4th ed.). USA: Pearson Longman. Borjars, K. & Burridge, K. Introducing English grammar (2nd ed.). London: Hodder Education. Foley, M. & Hall, D. (2012). MyGrammarLab (Advanced). England: Pearson. Hewings, M. (2012). Advanced grammar in use: a reference and practice book for advanced students of English (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Murphy, R. (2011). English Grammar in Use (Intermediate) (3 ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
