By: Teacher Scarlett
Which article should you use?
I want to buy a book
I want to buy the book
Answer:You can use any depending on what you want to mean.
Article usage can sometimes be very confusing to English learners. Learn the basic rules before going into each type.
![](https://kxr4e1.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/dont-use-the-for-determiners.jpg)
1.Check the type of nouns:
Proper nouns
- Don’t use determiners with proper nouns
Don’t Say: The Nicole went downtown to meet her friend
Say: Nicole went downtown to meet her friend.
![](https://kxr4e1.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/broken-plate.jpg)
Countable Singular nouns
- Determiners are used for singular nouns
Don’t Say: Plate fell from the kitchen cupboard.
Say: A plate fell from the kitchen cupboard.
You can also say: The plate fell from the kitchen cupboard.
![](https://kxr4e1.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/bags.jpg)
Plural Nouns
- The only determiner for plural nouns is “the”
Don’t Say: A local bags are on sale.
Say: Local bags are on sale.
You can also say: The local bags are on sale.
![](https://kxr4e1.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/butter.jpg)
Mass Nouns
- The only determiner for mass nouns is “the”
Don’t Say: I need a butter for my toast
Say: I need butter for my toast
You can also say: I need the butter for my toast.
2.Situational Examples
“A/ an”, and “the” are articles used in English to refer to or indicate a noun. “A/an” are called indefinite articles whereas ‘the’ is known as the definite article. The difference between these articles is that “the” refers to specific or particular nouns while “a/an” is used to indicate non-specific or non-particular nouns.
![](https://kxr4e1.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/I-want-to-buy-a-book.jpg)
If I say:“ I want to buy a book “
-Meaning: This could mean any book
![](https://kxr4e1.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/I-want-to-buy-the-book.jpg)
But if I say: “ I want to buy the book ”
-Meaning: -It means I want to buy a specific book.
3. More Tips
Here are some helpful tips for you to better understand which articles to use:
USAGE: | EXAMPLES: | |
A/ An | Talking about something general Talking about any one thing | A car was parked outside. I bought a jacket. She gave him a present. I have a dog. She is eating a banana. |
The | Talking about something specific that all the speakers know about when it is clear which thing or person we mean | The jacket was cheap. Tom is in the kitchen. Could you shut the door, please? I cleaned the bathroom this morning. The sun is hot today. I’d like to speak to the manager, please. |
Another way to determine which article to use is through listening to the sound the word begins with.
ARTICLES: | USAGE | EXAMPLES: |
A AN | Use “a” if the word begins with a consonant sound. Use “an” if the word begins with a vowel sound | I have a dog. She wants to ride a horse. I have an apple. I need an umbrella |
4.However, there are some exceptions.
For example:
“I am a university student”
- The article “a” is used before the word “university” because it begins with /j/ (the y sound)
“It’s an honor to meet you”
- The word ‘honor’ begins with /ɑ/ so you should use ‘an’ before it.
It is important that you listen to the sound, and not only look at the letter.