ARTICLES

There are two kinds of articles, namely DEFINITE and INDIFINITE ARTICLES. “The” is called the definite article. “An/A” is called the indefinite article.

A. INDEFINITE ARTICLES

1. The use of “a/an”- “a” is used before a word beginning with a consonant, or a vowel with

consonant sound.Examples: a man, a hat, a university, a European reputation, a one-way

street.

I have my study at a University in Depok area.

- “an” is used before words beginning with a vowel (a,I,u,e,o) or words beginning with a mute “h”Examples: an apple, an island, an uncle, an hour etc

- “an” is also used before words with individual letter with vowel sounds.Examples: an L-plate, an SMP, an SMA student, an SOS etc

- “a/an” is used before a singular noun which is uncountableExamples: I need a visa

They live in a flat- “a/an” is used with a noun complement. This include names of profession

Examples: It was an earthquake She’ll be a dancer He is an actor

- “a/an” is used in a certain expression of quantityExamples: a lot of, a couple etc

2. Omission of “a/an”- “a/an” is not used before plural nouns. So the plural form of a cat and of an

egg is eggs.- “a/an” is not used before uncountable nouns

Examples: water, milk, etc- “a/an” is not used before the names of meals, except when they are

preceded by an adjectivesExamples: We have breakfast at eight

He gave us a good breakfast

B. DEFINITE ARTICLES

1. The use of “the”- “the” is used for the singular and plural and for all gender.

Examples: the boy, the girl, the days, the toys

My mom bought me a new toy. I love playing with the new toy.

- “the” is used when the object or groups is unique or considered to be uniqueExamples: the sky, the sea, the stars etc

- “the” is used before a noun which has become definite or as result of being mentioned a second timeExamples: This car struck a tree, you can still see the mark on the tree

- “the” is used before the superlative degree and words such as only. First, second etcExamples: the first week, the best day, the only way

- “the” is used before adjectives represents the class itselfExamples: the old = old people in general

The lion is a wild animal- “the” is used before certain proper names of seas, rivers, group of island etc

Examples: the City, the Mall, the Sudan, the Yemen etc- “the” is used before other proper names consisting of adjectives + noun or

noun + of + nounExamples: the National Gallery, the Tower of London

- “the” is used before names for familiar persons or objects in the home and the communityExamples: He walked into the house and hung his coat in the closet

2. The omission of “the”The definite article is not used:-before names of gamesExamples: He plays golf

He plays tennis