What Is an ARTICLE?  Part 2

 

In today's lesson we continue our introduction to the use of articles.  English abounds with the use of articles, and is challenging for many learners of English because of it.  So we begin with one simple question: What is an article? 

To read Part 1, click here.

Let's Begin.

As we mentioned in Part 1, articles are used before nouns.

The correct use of articles consists of two considerations:

  • when to use an article, and

  • which article, if any, to use

Note also that there are times when no article is used before a noun.  Linguists call this situation an "empty placeholder". An example of an "empty placeholder" is in the following sentence:

  • I love life.
           [ ] life

Considerations in the Use of Articles

To determine the correct article, you have to know whether the noun is singular or plural.

You also have to know whether the noun is countable or not countable.

A countable noun has a singular and a plural form.  A noncountable noun has only a singular form.

Warm-up 2  For each sentence below, underline each article once.  Place a line over each noun.  Beneath each noun, indicate S for singular and PL for plural.  Write C for count noun and NC for noncount noun.

EXAMPLE:   The doctor told my sister the good news.
                      s, c                 s, c                   nc

1.  My husband made an appointment for me to see the doctor.

2.  I read an essay about people who move because they want to find a better job.

3.  Salaries are higher in the United States than in Haiti, but so are living expenses.

4.  I do not agree that the only road to success is by making money.

5.  Reading the newspaper everyday has expanded my knowledge.

Click here to check your answers.  

Next... Articles and Countable Nouns

Our next lesson is "Articles and Countable Nouns"

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