{"id":165,"date":"2016-08-08T20:50:33","date_gmt":"2016-08-08T20:50:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/styleguide\/?post_type=chapter&p=165"},"modified":"2023-07-25T20:51:32","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T20:51:32","slug":"articles","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-geneseo-guidetowriting\/chapter\/articles\/","title":{"raw":"Articles","rendered":"Articles"},"content":{"raw":"There are three articles in the English language:\u00a0the<\/i>,\u00a0a<\/i>, and an<\/i>. These are divided into two types of articles: definite (the<\/em>) and indefinite (a<\/em>,\u00a0an<\/em>).\u00a0The definite article indicates a level of specificity that the indefinite does not. \"A solar panel\" could refer to any solar panel; however, \"the solar panel\" is referring back to a specific solar panel.\r\n\r\nThus, when using the definite article, the writer assumes the reader knows the identity of the noun's referent\u2014because it is obvious, because it is common knowledge, or because it was mentioned in the same sentence or an earlier sentence. Use of an indefinite article implies that the reader\u00a0does not have to be told the identity of the referent.\r\n\r\nThere are also cases where no article\u00a0is required:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • with generic nouns (plural or uncountable): cars have accelerators<\/i>, happiness is contagious<\/i>, referring to cars in general and happiness in general (compare the happiness I felt yesterday<\/i>, specifying particular happiness);<\/li>\r\n \t
  • with many proper names: Sabrina<\/em>, France<\/i>, London<\/i>, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nWatch this quick introduction to indefinite and definite articles and the difference between the two:\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/TSd0uByBoTo\r\n

    Indefinite Article<\/span><\/h2>\r\nThe indefinite article of English takes the two forms a<\/i> and an<\/i>. These can be regarded as meaning \"one,\" usually without emphasis.\r\n

    Distinction between a<\/i> and an<\/i><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\"anYou've probably learned the rule that an<\/em> comes before a vowel, and that\u00a0a<\/em> comes before a consonant. While this is generally true, it's more accurate to say that\u00a0an<\/em> comes before a vowel\u00a0sound<\/em>, and\u00a0a<\/em> comes before a consonant\u00a0sound<\/em>. Let's look at a couple of examples with\u00a0a<\/em>:\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • a box<\/i><\/li>\r\n \t
    • a\u00a0HEPA filter<\/i> (HEPA is pronounced as a word rather than as letters)<\/li>\r\n \t
    • a one-armed bandit<\/i> (pronounced \"won.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0\")<\/li>\r\n \t
    • a eulogy<\/i>\u00a0(pronounced \"yoo.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0\")<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\"anLet's try it again with\u00a0an<\/em>:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • an apple<\/i><\/li>\r\n \t
      • an EPA policy<\/em> (the letter\u00a0E<\/em> read as a letter still starts with a vowel sound)<\/li>\r\n \t
      • an SSO<\/i> (pronounced \"es-es-oh\")<\/li>\r\n \t
      • an hour<\/i> (the h<\/i> is silent)<\/li>\r\n \t
      • an heir<\/i> (pronounced \"air\")<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
        Note:<\/strong> Some speakers and writers use an<\/i> before a word beginning with the sound h<\/em><\/span>\u00a0in an unstressed syllable: an historical novel<\/i>, an hotel<\/i>.\u00a0However, where the h<\/em> is clearly pronounced, this usage is now less common, and a<\/em> is preferred.<\/div>\r\n
        \r\n

        Practice<\/h3>\r\nLook at\u00a0the following words. When they require an indefinite article, should it be\u00a0a<\/em> or\u00a0an<\/em>?\r\n
          \r\n \t
        1. ewe<\/li>\r\n \t
        2. SEO specialist<\/li>\r\n \t
        3. apple<\/li>\r\n \t
        4. URL<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"172524\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"172524\"]\r\n
            \r\n \t
          1. a\u00a0ewe: The word is pronounced\u00a0\"you\"; it starts with a consonant sound.<\/li>\r\n \t
          2. an\u00a0SEO specialist: The word is pronounced \"es-ee-oh\"; it starts with a vowel sound.<\/li>\r\n \t
          3. an apple: The word starts with\u00a0a<\/em>,\u00a0a vowel sound.<\/li>\r\n \t
          4. a\u00a0URL: The word is pronounced \"yoo-ar-el\"; it starts with a consonant sound.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

            Definite Article<\/span>\r\n\"an<\/h2>\r\nThe definite article the<\/i> is used when the referent of the noun phrase is assumed to be unique or known from the context. For example, in the sentence \"The keen astronomy student\u00a0was looking at the moon,\" it is assumed that in the context the reference can only be to one keen astronomy student\u00a0and one moon.\r\n\r\nThe<\/em> can be used with both singular and plural nouns, with nouns of any gender, and with nouns that start with any letter. This is different from many other languages which have different articles for different genders or numbers.\u00a0The<\/i> is the most commonly used word in the English language.\r\n
            \r\n

            Practice<\/h3>\r\nChoose the article that should go in each sentence:\r\n
              \r\n \t
            1. Every season, locusts eat (a \/ an \/ the) entirely new crop.<\/li>\r\n \t
            2. Dani\u00a0was planning\u00a0to buy (a \/ an \/ the) political science book she had been eyeing\u00a0as soon as she got paid.<\/li>\r\n \t
            3. (A \/ An \/ The) business unit like that will dominate the market.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"170373\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"170373\"]\r\n
                \r\n \t
              1. an;\u00a0Every season, locusts eat an <\/strong>entirely new crop.\r\n
                  \r\n \t
                • Since these locusts only eat a particular\u00a0crop\u00a0once, there must be a different crop\u00a0every season \u2014thus we need an indefinite article.\u00a0Every<\/em>\u00a0starts with an\u00a0e<\/em> sound, so it requires\u00a0an<\/em> not\u00a0a.<\/em><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                • the;\u00a0Dani\u00a0was planning\u00a0to buy the<\/strong>\u00a0political science book she had been eyeing\u00a0as soon as she got paid.\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  • The\u00a0sentence\u00a0implies that there is a specific book she wants. Thus, the definite article is required.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • a; A<\/strong>\u00a0business unit like that will dominate the market.\r\n
                      \r\n \t
                    • The sentence is about one \"business unit like that\"; there could be several, but the sentence is just talking about one. Thus, the indefinite article is required.\u00a0Business<\/em>\u00a0starts with a consonant sound, so\u00a0a<\/em> is required, not\u00a0an<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                      Word Order<\/span><\/h2>\r\nIn most cases, the article is the first word of its noun phrase, preceding all other adjectives and modifiers.\r\n

                      The<\/i> little old red bag held a<\/i> very big surprise.<\/p>\r\nThere are a few exceptions, however:\r\n

                        \r\n \t
                      • Certain determiners, such as all<\/i>, both<\/i>, half<\/i>, double<\/i>, precede the definite article when used in combination (all the team;<\/i>\u00a0both the girls;<\/i>\u00a0half the time;<\/i>\u00a0double the amount<\/i>).<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Such<\/i> and\u00a0what<\/i> precede the indefinite article (such an uproar;<\/i>\u00a0what a day!<\/i>).<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • Adjectives qualified by too<\/i>, so<\/i>, as<\/i> and how<\/i> generally precede the indefinite article: too great a loss;<\/i>\u00a0so hard a problem;<\/i>\u00a0as difficult an exam\u00a0as I have ever sat;<\/i>\u00a0I know how demanding\u00a0a professor she is<\/i>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                        \r\n

                        Practice<\/h3>\r\nRead the following passage and make any necessary changes to articles. Explain your reasoning for each change.\r\n

                        A\u00a0Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation. Although not the\u00a0first space telescope, Hubble is one of the largest and most versatile, and is well known as both an\u00a0vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy. The HST is named after an astronomer Edwin Hubble.<\/p>\r\n

                        Hubble's orbit outside the distortion of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images. Hubble has recorded the some of most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing the\u00a0deep view into space and time.<\/p>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"4\"][\/practice-area]\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"666227\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"666227\"]Here is the\u00a0corrected passage. Each correction has been numbered. Explanations for each correction are given below the passage.\r\n

                        (1) The<\/strong> Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation. Although not the first space telescope, Hubble is one of the largest and most versatile, and is well known as both (2)\u00a0a<\/strong> vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy. The HST is named after (3) the<\/strong> astronomer Edwin Hubble.<\/p>\r\n

                        Hubble's orbit outside the distortion of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images. Hubble has recorded (4)\u00a0some of the<\/strong> most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing (5)\u00a0a<\/strong> deep view into space and time.<\/p>\r\nSo why were these changes necessary?\r\n

                          \r\n \t
                        1. There is only one Hubble Space Telescope, so it requires the\u00a0definite article:\u00a0the<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n \t
                        2. Vital<\/em> starts with a consonant sound, so it requires\u00a0a<\/em> not\u00a0an<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n \t
                        3. Edwin Hubble <\/i>is definitely the only\u00a0astronomer the HST was named after, so it requires the<\/em>\u00a0not an<\/em>. If, however, the sentence had a comma after astronomer, suggesting that the HST was named after an astronomer whose particular identity is only then revealed to be Edwin Hubble, it could read \"The HST is named after an\u00a0<\/strong>astronomer, Edwin Hubble.\" That scenario is unlikely, however, given that the telescope's name includes \"Hubble,\" so there can't be too many other astronomers under consideration.<\/li>\r\n \t
                        4. As we discussed, phrases like \"some of\" are exceptions to the general word order rule, and they come before articles.<\/li>\r\n \t
                        5. There are several different views into space, and this is just one of them. Thus, we need to use the indefinite article. Deep<\/em> starts with a consonant, so it requires\u00a0a<\/em> not\u00a0an<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

                          There are three articles in the English language:\u00a0the<\/i>,\u00a0a<\/i>, and an<\/i>. These are divided into two types of articles: definite (the<\/em>) and indefinite (a<\/em>,\u00a0an<\/em>).\u00a0The definite article indicates a level of specificity that the indefinite does not. “A solar panel” could refer to any solar panel; however, “the solar panel” is referring back to a specific solar panel.<\/p>\n

                          Thus, when using the definite article, the writer assumes the reader knows the identity of the noun’s referent\u2014because it is obvious, because it is common knowledge, or because it was mentioned in the same sentence or an earlier sentence. Use of an indefinite article implies that the reader\u00a0does not have to be told the identity of the referent.<\/p>\n

                          There are also cases where no article\u00a0is required:<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • with generic nouns (plural or uncountable): cars have accelerators<\/i>, happiness is contagious<\/i>, referring to cars in general and happiness in general (compare the happiness I felt yesterday<\/i>, specifying particular happiness);<\/li>\n
                          • with many proper names: Sabrina<\/em>, France<\/i>, London<\/i>, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Watch this quick introduction to indefinite and definite articles and the difference between the two:<\/p>\n