Articles and their functions in sentences

ARTICLES

1. An academy; in this case the indefinite article “an” is used, because the noun “academy” begins with a vowel sound.

2. A bright album; in this case the indefinite article “a” is used, because the noun “album” is qualified by an attribute “bright” and it is used in its aspective function.

3. A mill; in this case the indefinite article “a” is used, because the noun “mill” begins with a consonant sound.

4. An hour; in this case the indefinite article “an” is used, because the noun “hour” begins with a so-called “silent h”.

Functions of articles with common nouns

• The Indefinite Article

1. Does this house have a garden?
In this case the indefinite article a is used in its nominating function with countable noun “garden” to show that the noun denotes object which is new to the hearer/introduces a new element in the sentence.

2. He had almost a supernatural courage.
In this case the indefinite article a is used, because the uncountable noun “courage” is qualified by an attribute “supernatural” and it is used in its aspective function.

• The Definite Article

1. Have you finished with the book I lent you last week?
In this case the definite article the is used in its individualizing function with countable noun “book” to show that the noun denotes a particular object (as distinct from the others of the same kind).

2. The tiger has always had the reputation of being a man-eater.
In this case the definite article the is used in its generic function with countable noun “tiger” to indicate that the noun becomes a composite image of the class.

3. As we came out into the cold damp air she shivered.
In this case the definite article the is used in its restricting function to restrict the material denoted by a concrete uncountable noun “air” to a definite quantity, portion or locality.

• The Zero Article

1. Jim asked for water and drank thirstily.
In this case the zero article is used in its nominating function with uncountable noun “water” and implies more-than-oneness.

Semantic groups of nouns

• Unique objects

1. The moon hung low in the sky like a yellow skull.
In this sentence the definite article the is used with a nouns “moon” and “sky”, because they refer to unique objects and which is the same for the whole mankind.

• Names of seasons

1. It was a golden November day.
In this case the indefinite article a is used, because the countable noun “day” have a descriptive attribute “golden November” and it is used in its aspective function.

2. In late autumn we lock our cottage till spring.
In this case the zero article is used in the first case, because the noun “autumn” is modified by the adjective “early”; and in the second case the zero article also used because the noun “spring” is preceded by the preposition “till”.

3. The autumn of 1996 was very warm and sunny.
In this case the definite article the is used with the noun “autumn” because the noun denotes a particular season/time of the year.

• Names of parts of the Day

1. It was a fine afternoon.
In this case the indefinite article a is used, because the countable noun “afternoon” have a descriptive attribute “fine” and it is used in its aspective function.

2. The morning was chilly.
In this case the definite article the is used with the noun “morning” because the noun denotes a specific part of the day.

3. The sun set behind the hills and night came.
In this case the zero article is used in the second case because the noun “night” is used in the meaning of “darkness”. In the first case we have the unique object which is always used with the definite article.

• Names of meals

1. The dinner party was a complete disaster.
In this case the definite article the is used, because the noun “dinner party” is used as countable noun.

We live in the center of town.
In this case the definite article the is used in set expression “in the center”.

General rules

• Names of seasons

1. Without any article:
   – with of-phrases
   – with adjectives late and early

2. Definite article:
   – particular season
   – with verbs: to approach, to be over, to come to an end, to come, to pass, to set in
   – after prepositions: during, for, through
   – after the verbs: to hate, to like, to love, to talk about, to wait for

3. The Indefinite article:
   – with a descriptive attribute

• Parts of the day
  1. Without any article:
  – with the meaning “light” or “darkness”
  – after prepositions: at, after, before, by, till, until, towards, past
  – when the noun used as a predicative
  – with words yesterday, tomorrow
  – with set phrases
  – with adjectives late and early
  – with of-phrases
  – with nouns: dusk, evening, night

2. Definite article:

– specific day or night
– generic sense
– after prepositions: during, in, through
– before the noun “other”

3. The Indefinite article:
– with a descriptive attribute

• Names of meals
  1. Without any article:

– names of meals

2. Definite article:

– limiting attribute
– back reference

3. The Indefinite article:
– with a descriptive attribute

Names of meals are countable when:
– they denote dinner party or tea party
– they denote a portion