Are there only three articles in the English language?

(Written by Mahendiran V)

Yes, Only three words are used in the name of articles. But five situations are there to use the three words.

A AN THE are called articles is well known by all. These three words are taking five situations such as

1. INDEFINITE BEFORE VOWEL SOUND- AN

2. INDEFINITE BEFORE CONSONANT SOUND- A

3. DEFINITE BEFORE VOWEL SOUND- THE (DHI)

4. DEFINITE BEFORE CONSONANT SOUND- THE (DHA)

5. ZERO BEFORE CERTAIN WORD- (NO ARTICLE)

Read this sentence.

I saw A man near THE Union office with AN umbrella in his hand AN hour ago. THE man was struggling to unfold THE umbrella to protect himself from THE sunlight. A boy who was watching him helped THE man to unfold it. THE man thanked THE boy and asked who he was. He said that he was A European, and has come to visit (0) India.

A man

Here, A is used in the 2nd situation.

THE Union office

Here, THE is used is used in the 4th situation. Though the letter U is a vowel, it sounds consonant.

AN umbrella

Here , AN is used in the 1st situation.

AN hour

AN is used in the first situation. (Though H is a consonant letter, it sounds vowel)

THE man