English Grammar
Articles
There are two types of
articles: Indefinite (a, an) and Definite (the).
A.
Indefinite article: 'a' and 'an'
1.
We use the indefinite article, a,
with singular
nouns which begins from consonant
sound and when the listener/reader does not know exactly which
one we are referring to.
They are searching for a 14-year-old
girl.
We
also use it to show that the person or thing is one of a group:
He
is a pupil at Jana Jiwan Secondary School.
We
also use it before singular countable noun which begins from vowel letter but has
consonant sound at the beginning.
There
is a ewe.
He
is a university student.
This
is a useful book.
Ramesh
is a one-eyed man.
2.
We use the indefinite article, an,
with singular
nouns which begins from vowel sound
and when the listener/reader does not know exactly which one
we are referring to.
Suman is eating an orange.
There is an ox.
Computer is an optional subject.
She has bought an umbrella.
A fly is an insect.
We
also use it before singular countable noun which begins from consonant letter
but has vowel sound at the beginning.
Sabina
went after an hour.
Bimal
is an honourable teacher.
He
is an MP.
She
bought an FM radio.
We
do not use an indefinite article with plural
nouns:
He was wearing black shoes. (plural noun)
We
do not use an indefinite article with uncountable
nouns:
She has long, blonde hair. (uncountable noun)
We
do not use an indefinite article with proper
nouns:
Bishnu lives in Kathmandu.
She is from India.
B. Definite article: the
We
use the definite article, the, with both singular
nouns and plural nouns as well as
countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
We use the definite article 'the' in the following
situations.
1.
Before
the names of things which are unique and only one:
We
live in the earth.
We
can see the moon in the sky at night.
The
sun gives us heat and light.
2.
Before
the noun which is repeated or mentioned in the second time:
There
is a bird. The bird is chirping sharply.
3.
Before
the adjectives of superlative degree:
Ramila
is the most intelligent girl of our class.
Mt.
Everest is the highest peak in the world.
Who
is the best student of our class?
4.
Before
the names of countries which have plural names:
Carol
is from the UK.
The
Netherlands is called Holland.
They
have been living in the USA.
5.
Before
ordinal numbers:
Muna
is the first girl of class 8.
6.
Before
name of musical instruments:
She
plays the flute well.
7.
Before
a noun which is described or modified by a phrase or clause:
The
boy who is in a blue shirt is my younger brother.
This
is the place where we met last time.
8.
Before
names of river, lakes, falls, mountain range, deserts, islands, canals, seas, and
oceans:
The
Nile is the longest river.
I
have seen the Rara lake.
9.
Before
ordinal numbers:
The
first Prime minister of Nepal is Bhimsen Thapa.
Arpana
is the third girl of our class.
10.
Before
names of Newspapers:
He
reads the Kathmandu Post daily.
The New
York Times is a colourful newspaper.
11.
Before
names of directions and poles:
Mt.
Everest is in the north.
There
is extreme cold in the south pole.
12.
Before
names of holy books:
My
father recites the Geeta every morning.
13.
Before
the names of highest posts:
KP
Sharma Oli is the Prime Minister of Nepal.
14.
Before
names of scientific innovations:
Who
invented the computer?
Videos for testing the competency of students
(articles)
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJbH88aWG3w&t=7s
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgW-2sZ28BU&t=8s