Are there only three articles in the English language?

- September 29, 2023

(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