Articles

The word a, an and the are called articles. Articles are actually demonstrative adjectives and are used to point out people or things. So they are used before nouns.

• A and an are in defined articles while the is the definite article.

A/an

1. We use 'a' and 'an' before countable in the singular number:
   a book; a chair; a tree
   an apple; an ant; an island
   
   
2. We use a before the countable noun in the singular number beginning with a consonant sound:
   a banana; a lake; a song
   We use an before a countable in the singular number beginning with a vowel sound:
   an egg; an orange; an apple
   If the word begins with a vowel but not a vowel sound, we use a before it:
   a university; a European; a one rupee note
   
   
3. If some words begin with silent h, they also take an with them:
   an honest boy; an honorable person; an heir; an hour
   
   
4. In abbreviations, if consonants begin with a vowel sound, they take an with them.
   an M.A ; an M.D
   a Ph.D. ; a B.A.

Use of 'a' in the following phrases

to be in a hurry; to have a headache;a pity

in a loud voice; in a low voice; a shame

a bad cloud; a noise; a pleasure

The

We use the

• before any noun when we want to make it particular: Let us walk towards the front gate. (not any gate but the front gate)
• with superlatives: the sweetest song, the most intelligent student
• with such words as 'first', 'last', 'next', 'only', 'same', 'following', 'previous': the last bench, the only son, the next house

But the is not used with such expressions as: last night/ week/ month/ year; next week/ month / year

What did you eat last night?

Will you come here next Sunday?

• with a common noun when that noun represents the whole class: The dog is a faithful animal; Elephants have a remarkable memory.
• with such nouns as 'earth', 'moon', 'sun', 'sky', etc.
• with the name of rivers, seas, ocean, mountain range, holy books, train, ship, aeroplane, newspaper, well-known buildings,countries if the name contains a common noun, the directions, the whole families.

The omission of 'the'

• Normally we do not use the with proper nouns, abstract nouns and such nouns as gold, silver, water, wood, etc., which name materials: Nepal is a secular country;Beauty is admired by all. But when we use these nouns as a particular ones, we have to use the with them: The Nepal of the 21st century is going to be a glorious country. The beauty of Cleopatra is famous all over the world.
• We do not use the with these phrases:
  to take place; to take part in; to take care of; on foot; by train
  to take interest in ; to take heart; to be at fault; at home; by bus
  to make use of; to lose heart; out of doors; by mistake; by chance

Things to remember

• The word a, an and the are called articles.
• Articles are actually demonstrative adjectives and are used to point out people or things.

• It includes every relationship which established among the people.
• There can be more than one community in a society. Community smaller than society.
• It is a network of social relationships which cannot see or touched.
• common interests and common objectives are not necessary for society.

Questions and Answers