There are three articles in English Language. The use of an article in a sentence gives it a peculiar meaning. When 'the' is used instead of a/an a different idea is connoted. Hence, it is imperative that the appropriate article is used to convey the intended meaning of the speaker. Article can be defined as that part of speech that indicates, specifies, and limits a noun. And many English language speakers do not observe grammertical rule in use of an article. To most people, it is a matter of choice- that is they use anyone that comes to mind. Article is divided into two: 1. Definite article- 'the' 2. Indefinite articles- 'a' and 'an.' You use indefinite article 'the' with singular or plural nouns when you want the listener to know the particular person or thing you are talking about. 1. Thank you for the flowers. Not- Thank you for a flower. 2. This is the car I told you I bought. Not- This is a car I told you I bought. You use 'the' when you are talking about: oceans, rivers, mountains and group of island. 1. The River Niger passes/goes through Onitsha and Asaba. Not- A River Niger goes/passes through Onitsha and Asaba. 2. Where are the secyelles? Not- Where are a secyelles? 3. John was the first person to row across the Atlantic. Not- John was the first person to row across an Atlantic. You use 'the' when you're talking about musical instruments. 1. I have been learning the piano. Not- I have been learning a piano. 2. He has been playing the piano. Not- He has been playing a piano. But 'the' cannot be used when you are talking about modern music such as Jass and Rock etc. 1. He plays bass in a band. Not- He plays the bass. 2. She plays viola in a Calypso band. Indefinite Articles: 'a' and 'an' Use a and an when the listener does not know the person or thing. 1. John bought a new car. Not- John bought the new car. 2. She bought a new dress. Not- She bought the new dress. 3. He bought an aeroplane. Not- He bought the aeroplane. Use a or an when you are not referring to a particular person or thing. 1. Get me a knife. Not- Get me the knife. 2. Find me a husband/wife. Not- Find me the husband/wife. 3. I saw an amateur boxer. Use an or a when talking about a type or class of people or thing. That is, when you are referring to a person's job. 1. She is a doctor. Not- She is the doctor. 2. He is a lawyer. Not- He is the lawyer. 3. He is a professional dancer. 4. He is an engineer. Use an or a when making reference to price or speed 1. The recommended speed limit is 80 kilometers an hour. 2. Chukwuka goes to the gym four times a week. Use 'a' with: hundred, thousand, million and billion etc. 1. Chukwuka won a million Naira in a lottery. 2. Jeff Bezos paid his wife Mackenzie Bezos a billion dollars as divorce settlement. Note: A/An is used only with countable nouns Screeneshots from Google use for illustration If you are enriched, like, share and leave comment to motivate the writer to come up with more articles.
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