Article
An article is basically an adjective that defines and modifies a noun.
Articles are of two types.
1. Indefinite article:- A, An 2. Definite article:- The
Some important rules
Rule:-1. ‘A’ is used before those singular nouns that start with consonant.
Examples
A pen, a chair, a book, a fan etc .
Rule:-2. ‘A’ is also used before those words that start with vowel and give the sound of consonant.
Examples
A one eyed man,
A university,
A European,
A unique hair style
A uniform,
A universal truth,
A useful book etc.
Rule:-3. ‘An’ is used before those words that start with vowels .
Examples
An apple,
An egg,
An orange,
An elephant,
Aowl etc .
Rule:-4. ‘An’ is also used before those words that start with consonant and give the sound of vowel .
Examples
An hour,
An honour,
An honest boy,
An heir,
An honorary post,
An M.A. ,
An M.L.A. ,
An S.D.O. ,
An F.I.R. etc.
Note:- ‘A/An’ can not be used before plural and uncountable nouns.
Advice, information, accommodation, baggage, luggage, scenery, equipment, furniture, bread, money, jewelry, evidence etc. are uncountable nouns.
Examples
1. He gave me an information . (incorrect)
2. He gave me a piece of information. (correct)
3. She has bought a furniture for her house. (drop ‘a’)
Rule:-6. “If so, as, too, how, quite” come before an adjective, A/An should be used before the noun.
Examples
1. This is a too difficult question to solve. (incorrect)
2. This is too difficult a question to solve. (correct)
3. She is a as innocent girl as her sister. (incorrect)
4. She is as innocent a girl as her sister. (correct)
5. He is so a weak student that he can not pass. (incorrect)
6. He is so weak a student that he can not pass. (correct)
Rule:-7. If a verb is used as a noun, A/An is used before the verb.
Examples
1. He goes for a walk in the morning daily.
2. She gave her friend a pillion ride to school.
3. I have a long talk with her on this matter.
Rule:-8. A/An is also used to indicate the meaning of ‘per/every’.
Examples
1. I take two meals a day.
2. This car runs 25 kilometres a litre.
3. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Rule:-9. When “many, rather, quite, such” take a singular noun after them, A/An is used before the noun.
Examples
1. Many an orange is rotting in the basket.
2. It was quite a difficult puzzle.
3. You have such a nice pen.
Rule:-10. In exclamatory sentences with “what and how” before singular countable nouns .
Examples
1. What a beautiful scene!
2. How fine a day!
3. What a pleasant surprise!
Rule:-11. A/An is also used with some phrases.
In a fix, in a soup, in a pickle, in a dilemma, in a tight corner, in a hurry, in a nutshell, make a noise, keep a secret, at a stone’s throw, at a loss, take a fancy to, take an interest, tell a lie.
Examples
1. Have you ever been in a tight corner?
2. My house is at a stone’s throw from here.
3. Don’t tell a lie to me.
Rule:-12. A/An can not be used in these phrases.
In hand, to lose heart, in jail, by name, by train, all day, on horseback, in debt, to give ear, at home, last but not least, to catch fire, to set on fire, at last, by mistake, in danger, to take to heart etc.
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