Chapter 8
Articles
Theory
1. What is an Article?
An article is a word placed before a noun to show whether the noun is being used in a definite (particular) or an indefinite (general) sense. English has two kinds of articles:
| Type | Articles | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Indefinite article | a, an | Refers to any one member of a class; used for first mention. |
| Definite article | the | Refers to a particular, already-known or unique noun. |
Memory Trick: "A/An = one of many; The = the very one." Indefinite = vague; definite = specific.
2. The Indefinite Articles: a and an (the SOUND Rule)
The choice between a and an depends on the sound that follows, not the spelling.
- Use a before a word beginning with a consonant sound.
- Use an before a word beginning with a vowel sound.
| Tricky word | Begins with | Correct | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| university | "yoo" (consonant sound) | a university | /j/ is a consonant sound |
| one-rupee note | "wun" (consonant sound) | a one-rupee note | /w/ is a consonant sound |
| hour | silent h → "our" (vowel) | an hour | h is not pronounced |
| honest man | silent h → "on" (vowel) | an honest man | h is not pronounced |
| MP | "em" (vowel sound) | an MP | letter M is read "em" |
| X-ray | "eks" (vowel sound) | an X-ray | letter X is read "eks" |
| European | "yoo" (consonant sound) | a European | /j/ is a consonant sound |
| honourable | silent h (vowel) | an honourable judge | h is not pronounced |
Exam Tip: Always pronounce the word in your head. U and O sometimes carry a consonant sound (a university, a one-way street); silent h turns a word into a vowel sound (an honour, an heir).
Solved examples:
- She studies at a university in Lucknow.
- Please wait for an hour before the result is declared.
- He is an honest officer admired by all.
- My uncle is an MP from this constituency.
- The doctor advised an X-ray of the injured arm.
- It is a European custom to shake hands.
- I found a one-rupee note under the table.
3. Other Uses of the Indefinite Article
The indefinite article is used with singular countable nouns to mean (i) any one member, (ii) first mention, (iii) a whole class, and (iv) "one" or "per".
- A teacher must be patient. (any one / a class)
- I bought a book yesterday. (first mention)
- The horse is a useful animal. (one of a class)
- This medicine is taken twice a day. (per / each)
- He earns sixty thousand rupees a month. (per)
Warning: The indefinite article is never used with plural or uncountable nouns. We do not say "an informations" or "a furnitures".
4. The Definite Article: the
The definite article points to a specific noun known to both speaker and listener, or to something unique. Its principal uses are listed below.
| Use of "the" | Example |
|---|---|
| Unique objects in nature | the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth |
| Superlatives | the best, the tallest, the most honest |
| Ordinal numbers | the first, the second, the third |
| Rivers, seas, oceans | the Ganges, the Red Sea, the Pacific |
| Mountain ranges | the Himalayas, the Alps |
| Groups of islands | the Andamans, the West Indies |
| Deserts | the Sahara, the Thar |
| Newspapers | the Times of India, the Hindu |
| Adjective denoting a whole class | the rich, the poor, the blind |
| Comparatives in parallel (the…the) | The higher you climb, the colder it gets. |
| Musical instruments | play the flute, the piano, the sitar |
| Nationalities (whole nation) | the English, the French, the Indians |
| Religious / holy books | the Gita, the Quran, the Bible |
| Names with "of" | the Republic of India, the Bay of Bengal |
Solved examples:
- The sun rises in the east. (unique object)
- Tendulkar was the best batsman of his time. (superlative)
- The Ganges is sacred to millions. (river)
- The Himalayas protect India from cold winds. (mountain range)
- We must help the poor. (adjective as class)
- The harder you work, the better you score. (the…the)
- She can play the violin beautifully. (musical instrument)
- The English are fond of tea. (nationality)
Exam Tip: A favourite distractor is a single mountain or lake (Mount Everest, Lake Chilika) where "the" is not used, contrasted with ranges and groups where it is used.
5. Omission of Articles (the Zero Article)
No article is used in the following cases:
| Category | Example (no article) |
|---|---|
| Proper nouns | Ram lives in Delhi. |
| Abstract nouns (general sense) | Honesty is the best policy. |
| Material / uncountable nouns (general) | Gold is precious. Water is essential. |
| Plural nouns (general sense) | Books are our friends. |
| Names of meals | We had lunch at noon. |
| Names of languages | She speaks French fluently. |
| Names of games / sports | They play cricket every Sunday. |
| School/college/church/bed/hospital/prison (primary purpose) | He goes to school. She is in bed. |
| Single mountains and lakes | Mount Everest, Lake Victoria |
| Most countries, cities, continents | India, Lucknow, Asia |
Solved examples:
- — Honesty is the best policy. (abstract noun, general)
- — Gold is a precious metal. (material noun, general)
- The children go to — school by bus. (primary purpose)
- My grandfather was admitted to — hospital last week. (as a patient)
- We play — hockey in the evening. (game)
- She has learnt — Sanskrit. (language)
Memory Trick: When you go to school to study, hospital to be treated, or bed to sleep, drop the article. When you go to the building for another purpose ("I went to the school to meet the principal"), keep "the".
6. Few / A Few / The Few and Little / A Little / The Little
These determiners are heavily tested. Few/a few/the few are used with countable plural nouns; little/a little/the little are used with uncountable nouns.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| few | hardly any (negative) | Few people trust him. |
| a few | some (positive) | A few people trust him. |
| the few | the small number that exist | The few friends I have are loyal. |
| little | hardly any (negative) | There is little hope of success. |
| a little | some (positive) | There is a little hope of success. |
| the little | the small amount that exists | The little money I had was stolen. |
Solved examples:
- Few students passed the difficult test. (almost none)
- A few students passed, which pleased the teacher. (some)
- The few rupees he had were spent on food. (the small number he had)
- There is little water in the well. (almost none)
- There is a little water left, so we can drink. (some)
- The little milk in the jug was given to the cat. (the small amount present)
7. Repetition of Articles — One Person or Two?
When two nouns refer to the same person or thing, the article is used once. When they refer to two different persons or things, the article is repeated.
- The secretary and treasurer was present. (one person holding both posts)
- The secretary and the treasurer were present. (two different persons)
- A black and white cow stood there. (one cow of two colours)
- A black and a white cow stood there. (two cows)
- He keeps a red and blue pen. (one two-coloured pen)
Exam Tip: Notice the verb. "was/is" → one person (single article); "were/are" → two persons (repeated article).
Common Exam Errors
| # | Wrong | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | an university | a university | "university" begins with a consonant sound /j/. |
| 2 | a hour | an hour | silent "h"; word begins with a vowel sound. |
| 3 | a honest man | an honest man | silent "h" gives a vowel sound. |
| 4 | an European | a European | "European" begins with a consonant sound /j/. |
| 5 | a M.P. | an M.P. | "M" is read "em", a vowel sound. |
| 6 | a X-ray | an X-ray | "X" is read "eks", a vowel sound. |
| 7 | an one-rupee note | a one-rupee note | "one" begins with consonant sound /w/. |
| 8 | Sun rises in the east. | The sun rises in the east. | "sun" is unique; needs "the". |
| 9 | He is best player. | He is the best player. | superlatives take "the". |
| 10 | Ganges is holy. | The Ganges is holy. | rivers take "the". |
| 11 | He climbed the Mount Everest. | He climbed Mount Everest. | single mountains take no article. |
| 12 | The honesty is a virtue. | Honesty is a virtue. | abstract noun in general sense takes no article. |
| 13 | The gold is costly. | Gold is costly. | material noun in general sense takes no article. |
| 14 | She plays flute well. | She plays the flute well. | musical instruments take "the". |
| 15 | The English language is spoken in the India. | English is spoken in India. | language and country names take no article. |
| 16 | He went to the school to study. | He went to school to study. | "school" for its primary purpose drops the article. |
| 17 | We had the lunch together. | We had lunch together. | names of meals take no article. |
| 18 | Few water is in the pot. | Little water is in the pot. | "water" is uncountable; use "little". |
| 19 | Little books are on the shelf. | Few books are on the shelf. | "books" is countable; use "few". |
| 20 | The secretary and the treasurer was present. | The secretary and treasurer was present. | one person → single article, singular verb. |
| 21 | I read Hindu daily. | I read the Hindu daily. | newspapers take "the". |
| 22 | The poor needs our help. | The poor need our help. | "the + adjective" is plural in sense. |
| 23 | Harder you work, better you do. | The harder you work, the better you do. | parallel comparatives take "the…the". |
| 24 | He is an useful man. | He is a useful man. | "useful" begins with consonant sound /j/. |
| 25 | She bought informations. | She bought information / a piece of information. | uncountable noun takes no "a/an" and no plural. |
Exam Tricks
- Sound, not spelling: decide a/an by pronouncing the next word. Watch the classic traps — university, European, one, hour, honest, MP, X-ray.
- Silent-h trap: hour, honour, heir, honest take an; but "h" pronounced (hotel, historian) takes a in standard usage.
- Single vs group geography: single mountain/lake/country = no article; range/ocean/river/island-group = "the".
- Class adjective trap: "the rich/the poor/the blind" act as plural nouns and take a plural verb.
- Primary-purpose trap: "go to school/bed/hospital/church/prison" = zero article; same building for another purpose = "the".
- One vs two trap: repeated article + plural verb = two persons; single article + singular verb = one person.
- Few/little distractor: a missing "a" flips the meaning from positive to negative — read for "hardly any" vs "some".
- Material/abstract trap: "the gold", "the honesty" are wrong in a general statement; particularising contexts ("the gold of this ring") are correct.
Frequently Confused Pairs
| Pair | Distinction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a vs an | a before consonant sound; an before vowel sound. | a university / an hour |
| few vs a few | few = negative (hardly any); a few = positive (some). | Few came. / A few came. |
| little vs a little | little = negative; a little = positive (uncountable). | Little hope. / A little hope. |
| the few vs few | the few = the small number that exist; few = hardly any. | The few I met were kind. |
| the (specific) vs zero (general) | "the" particularises; zero article generalises. | The gold of this ring / Gold is precious. |
| single article vs repeated article | one article = one person; repeated = two persons. | The poet and statesman / The poet and the statesman |
| a vs one | "a" = any member; "one" emphasises number. | Give me a pen. / I want one pen, not two. |
Exceptions — Important, Rare & Advanced
- Hotel / historic: Modern British usage prefers a hotel, a historic event (the "h" is sounded). The old form "an historic" is now archaic.
- Herb: British English says a herb (h pronounced); American English says an herb (h silent).
- "The" before adjectives = singular abstract idea: occasionally "the" + adjective denotes an abstraction — the unknown, the unexpected — taking a singular verb.
- Unique titles: "the" is used before titles when the noun follows the name — Akbar the Great, Alexander the Great.
- Republics, kingdoms, unions: countries with common nouns or "of" take "the" — the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, the Republic of India.
- Comparison of two: "the" is used with a comparative when choosing between two — She is the cleverer of the two sisters.
- "Man" and "woman" in general: no article when meaning the human race — Man is mortal.
- Time expressions: "in the morning/evening" take "the", but "at noon/midnight/dawn" take no article.
- Bed in literal sense: "He sat on the bed" (the object) keeps "the", whereas "He went to bed" (to sleep) drops it.
- Few/little with "very/too/so": these intensifiers can modify the negative forms — very few, too little.
50 Multiple Choice Questions
Easy (1–15)
1. He waited for ____ hour at the station.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "hour" has a silent h and begins with a vowel sound.
2. She is studying at ____ university in Lucknow.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (a) a
Explanation: "university" begins with the consonant sound /j/.
3. ____ sun rises in the east.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: the sun is a unique object and takes "the".
4. He is ____ honest man.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "honest" has a silent h, hence a vowel sound.
5. ____ Ganges flows through northern India.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: names of rivers take "the".
6. He bought ____ one-rupee note for his collection.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (a) a
Explanation: "one" begins with the consonant sound /w/.
7. My father is ____ MP from this district.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: the letter M is pronounced "em", a vowel sound.
8. Sachin was ____ best batsman of his era.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (c) the
Explanation: superlatives take "the".
9. ____ honesty is the best policy.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (d) No article
Explanation: abstract nouns in a general sense take no article.
10. The doctor ordered ____ X-ray of his chest.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "X" is read "eks", beginning with a vowel sound.
11. She can play ____ flute very well.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (c) the
Explanation: musical instruments take "the".
12. They go to ____ school every morning.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (d) no article
Explanation: "school" used for its primary purpose drops the article.
13. It is ____ European tradition to exchange gifts.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (a) a
Explanation: "European" begins with the consonant sound /j/.
14. ____ Himalayas lie to the north of India.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: mountain ranges take "the".
15. We must help ____ poor.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (c) the
Explanation: "the + adjective" denotes a whole class.
Moderate (16–35)
16. ____ students passed; the teacher was disappointed.
(a) Few (b) A few (c) The few (d) Little
Answer: (a) Few
Explanation: "few" is negative — hardly any passed.
17. There is ____ hope left, so do not give up.
(a) little (b) a little (c) the little (d) few
Answer: (b) a little
Explanation: "a little" is positive — some hope remains.
18. ____ money I had was spent on books.
(a) Little (b) A little (c) The little (d) Few
Answer: (c) The little
Explanation: "the little" = the small amount that existed.
19. The secretary and ____ treasurer were present at the meeting.
(a) — (b) a (c) an (d) the
Answer: (d) the
Explanation: the plural verb "were" shows two different persons, so the article is repeated.
20. He climbed ____ Mount Everest last year.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (d) no article
Explanation: single mountains take no article.
21. ____ Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: names of deserts take "the".
22. I read ____ Hindu every morning.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (c) the
Explanation: names of newspapers take "the".
23. ____ harder you practise, ____ better you become.
(a) A, a (b) An, an (c) The, the (d) No article, no article
Answer: (c) The, the
Explanation: parallel comparatives use "the…the".
24. ____ English are known for their love of tea.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: "the + nationality adjective" denotes the whole nation.
25. Gold is ____ precious metal.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (a) a
Explanation: here "metal" is a singular countable noun classed with "a".
26. He was admitted to ____ hospital after the accident.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (d) no article
Explanation: as a patient, "hospital" takes no article.
27. The poet and statesman ____ honoured by the nation.
(a) were (b) was (c) have been (d) are
Answer: (b) was
Explanation: a single article shows one person, requiring a singular verb.
28. She speaks ____ French fluently.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (d) no article
Explanation: names of languages take no article.
29. ____ rich are not always happy.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: "the rich" is a class and takes a plural verb.
30. He is ____ heir to a vast estate.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "heir" has a silent h, beginning with a vowel sound.
31. ____ Andamans are a popular tourist destination.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: groups of islands take "the".
32. We had ____ dinner before the show.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (d) no article
Explanation: names of meals take no article.
33. A black and ____ white horse were grazing in the field.
(a) — (b) a (c) an (d) the
Answer: (b) a
Explanation: "were" plus the repeated article shows two different horses.
34. ____ books are our best friends.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (d) No article
Explanation: plural nouns in a general sense take no article.
35. He is ____ useful member of the committee.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (a) a
Explanation: "useful" begins with the consonant sound /j/.
Difficult (36–50)
36. She is ____ cleverer of the two girls.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (c) the
Explanation: "the" is used with a comparative when choosing between two.
37. ____ United States is a federal republic.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: countries that are unions/plurals take "the".
38. It was ____ honour to meet the President.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "honour" has a silent h, a vowel sound.
39. In modern British usage it is ____ historic decision.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (a) a
Explanation: the "h" in "historic" is sounded, so "a" is preferred today.
40. ____ unexpected often happens in life.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: "the + adjective" can denote an abstract idea taking a singular verb.
41. Man is ____ mortal being.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (a) a
Explanation: "mortal being" is a singular countable noun phrase classed with "a".
42. Alexander ____ Great conquered many lands.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (c) the
Explanation: "the" precedes such epithets following a name.
43. ____ little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
(a) Little (b) A little (c) The little (d) Few
Answer: (b) A little
Explanation: the well-known maxim uses "A little", a positive but cautionary amount.
44. Honesty and ____ integrity were praised by the panel.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (d) no article
Explanation: abstract nouns in a general sense take no article.
45. ____ few friends I have are extremely loyal.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: "the few" = the small number that exist, with a defining clause.
46. The novelist and ____ poet were felicitated separately.
(a) — (b) a (c) an (d) the
Answer: (d) the
Explanation: "were…separately" shows two persons, so the article is repeated.
47. He went to ____ school to meet the headmaster.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (c) the
Explanation: visiting the building for another purpose requires "the".
48. There was ____ uproar in the assembly.
(a) a (b) an (c) the (d) no article
Answer: (b) an
Explanation: "uproar" begins with the vowel sound /ʌ/.
49. ____ Netherlands is famous for its tulips.
(a) A (b) An (c) The (d) No article
Answer: (c) The
Explanation: "the Netherlands" is a plural-form country name taking "the".
50. We watched ____ moon rise over ____ sea.
(a) a, a (b) the, the (c) an, the (d) the, a
Answer: (b) the, the
Explanation: "the moon" is unique and "the sea" is a specific natural body; both take "the".
Key Takeaways
- Indefinite article choice depends on sound, not spelling.
- "The" marks unique, specific, superlative and class references.
- Abstract, material and general plural nouns usually take the zero article.
- Article repetition encodes the one-person/two-person distinction.
Memory Map
- A/AN → consonant sound = a; vowel sound = an.
- THE → Unique • Superlative • Ordinal • Rivers/Ranges/Oceans/Islands/Deserts • Newspapers • Class adjective • Instruments • Nationalities • the…the.
- ZERO → Proper • Abstract • Material • Plural-general • Meals • Languages • Games • School/Bed/Hospital (purpose) • Single mountain/lake • Most countries.
- FEW/LITTLE → none(−) / some(+) / the existing amount.
Important Rules to Remember
- a university, an hour, an honest man, an MP, an X-ray, a European, a one-rupee note.
- the Ganges, the Himalayas, the Andamans, the Sahara, the United States, the Netherlands.
- play the flute; the rich need help; the harder you try, the more you gain.
- Honesty is the best policy; Gold is precious; She speaks French.
Last Minute Revision
- Say the word aloud before choosing a/an.
- Check the verb to decide one vs two persons.
- Look for "a" before few/little to judge positive vs negative meaning.
- Never put "the" before a single mountain, a general abstract noun, or a language name.