Articles in English Grammar
Definition of Articles
Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. In English grammar, there are two types of articles: definite (the) and indefinite (a, an). Articles help in specifying whether a noun is referring to something specific or general.
Articles in Hindi (Articles का हिन्दी में अर्थ)
Articles वे शब्द होते हैं जो किसी संज्ञा (Noun) को विशेष या अविशेष रूप से परिभाषित करते हैं। अंग्रेज़ी भाषा में दो प्रकार के आर्टिकल्स होते हैं:
1- निश्चित आर्टिकल (Definite Article) – The
2- अनिश्चित आर्टिकल (Indefinite Articles) – A, An
Kinds of Articles
1. Definite Article (The)
The definite article ‘the’ is used to refer to a specific noun that is already known to the listener or reader.
Rules for Using ‘The’
1- When referring to a particular person, place, or thing.
Example:
• The book on the table is mine. (वह किताब जो मेज पर रखी है, मेरी है।)
• The dog is barking loudly. (कुत्ता ज़ोर से भौंक रहा है।)
2- When talking about unique things.
Example:
• The sun rises in the east. (सूरज पूर्व में उगता है।)
•The Taj Mahal is in India. (ताजमहल भारत में है।)
3- Before the names of rivers, mountains, seas, and oceans.
Example:
• The Ganges is a holy river. (गंगा एक पवित्र नदी है।)
• The Himalayas are covered with snow. (हिमालय बर्फ से ढके हुए हैं।)
4- Before the names of well-known buildings, monuments, newspapers, and books.
Example:
• The Eiffel Tower is in Paris. (एफिल टावर पेरिस में है।)
• I read The Times daily. (मैं द टाइम्स रोज़ पढ़ता हूँ।)
5- Before ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.).
Example:
• He won the first prize. (उसने पहला इनाम जीता।)
• The second chapter is easy. (दूसरा अध्याय आसान है।)
2. Indefinite Articles (A, An)
Indefinite articles ‘a’ and ‘an’ are used before singular, countable nouns when referring to a general or unknown subject.
Rules for Using ‘A’ and ‘An’
1- ‘A’ is used before words beginning with a consonant sound.
Example:
• I saw a cat in the garden. (मैंने बगीचे में एक बिल्ली देखी।)
• She is a doctor. (वह एक डॉक्टर है।)
• He bought a book. (उसने एक किताब खरीदी।)
2- ‘An’ is used before words beginning with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
Example:
• She ate an apple. (उसने एक सेब खाया।)
• He is an honest man. (वह एक ईमानदार आदमी है।)
• I saw an elephant at the zoo. (मैंने चिड़ियाघर में एक हाथी देखा।)
3- ‘A’ and ‘An’ are used for professions.
Example:
• She is an engineer. (वह एक इंजीनियर है।)
• He is a teacher. (वह एक शिक्षक है।)
4- ‘A’ and ‘An’ are used for mentioning something for the first time.
Example:
• I saw a bird on the tree. (मैंने पेड़ पर एक पक्षी देखा।)
• She has an idea. (उसके पास एक विचार है।)
5- ‘An’ is used before silent ‘h’.
Example:
• He is an heir to the throne. (वह सिंहासन का उत्तराधिकारी है।)
• She is an honest woman. (वह एक ईमानदार महिला है।)
Exercises for Practice
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with ‘a’ or ‘an’
1- She bought __ apple.
2- He is __ engineer.
3- I saw __ elephant in the zoo.
4- She found __ old book in the library.
5- He is __ honest man.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with ‘the’ wherever necessary
1- __ moon looks beautiful at night.
2- We visited __ Eiffel Tower last year.
3- __ Himalayas are covered with snow.
4- She read __ Times of India daily.
5- __ sun rises in the east.
Exercise 3: Correct the incorrect use of articles
1- He is an university professor.
2- I read a interesting book.
3- She is a honest girl.
4- The Mount Everest is the highest peak.
5- We saw a octopus in the aquarium.
Exercise 4: Choose the correct article
1- I saw (a/an/the) owl in the tree.
2- He ate (a/an/the) apple.
3- She is (a/an/the) best player in the team.
4- I have (a/an/the) idea.
5- We visited (a/an/the) Taj Mahal last summer.
Exercise 5: Insert the missing articles
1- She found __ egg on the ground.
2- He bought __ house in the city.
3- __ Pacific Ocean is very vast.
4- __ Taj Mahal is a wonder of the world.
5- We went on __ picnic last Sunday.
By practicing these exercises, you will understand the correct usage of articles in English grammar.
