Use this tag for questions about the usage of articles.
-4
votes
1answer
89 views
Have there been any movements/tendencies that to remove definite and indefinite articles from English in the recent history of English?
My question is if there were some "movements" that propose to remove definite and indefinite articles completely in the last 100 or 200 years (or even more older).
E.g.
"a book" will be just "book"
...
-3
votes
1answer
54 views
Online checker for articles
I seem to have dropped most use of articles in my written English, however they seem to fall in correct(?) places in my spoken English.
And as there are quite few of special cases when you would not ...
8
votes
1answer
133 views
“There is X” vs “There is a/an X”
1: There is a reluctance on the part of European companies to buy from American sources.
2: There is an emphasis on the organic roots of spirituality.
3: There is a tendency to make the ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
The meaning of “the” in a standalone “the greater”
Often I read that "X's quality Y was the greater by virtue of Z", which makes perfect sense as a result of me being used to this form of expression, but not when I am now trying to understand what is ...
-1
votes
0answers
82 views
articles and uncountable nouns, chosen cases
As I understand, articles can be used with uncountable nouns in accordance with the following "rules"
(1). "the" is/can be used before fully qualified uncountable noun. "abstract nouns are fully ...
4
votes
2answers
130 views
Omitting article “the” in front of plural nouns
I'm helping someone learn English (second language), and I'm having trouble explaining when to use the and when not to. For example:
Students learn better when teachers are passionate about ...
1
vote
0answers
38 views
articles in English [duplicate]
Most of the time I understand how to use articles, but when it comes to certain sentences I start to lose confidence.
Could anyone please consider the following uses? In each case I am trying to ...
4
votes
10answers
836 views
Why is it ‘A God,’ not ‘God' in Mark Sanford’s “I want to acknowledge a God not just of second chances, but third, fourth, eighth chances”?
There was a quote of ex-South Carolina governor Mark Sanford in his victory speech in the House vacant seat election in the New York Times article (May 13) written by Gail Collins under the title ...
3
votes
3answers
83 views
Use of the definite article “the” before “church”
I was in a Teacher's selection for a school in my country, and one of the coordinators said that she heard a mistake from another teacher that was unacceptable. I tried to figure out why was that, but ...
0
votes
2answers
56 views
When modifiers precede, is ‘wounded’ used without ‘the’?
. . .she tended Hungarian wounded returning from the Russian front
and casualties wounded in American bombing raids. (The Telegraph)
When there are modifiers before 'wounded,' is it used ...
0
votes
2answers
98 views
The article: communicative function [closed]
Okay, this might come across as a fairly stupid question, yet I have to know this. Does anyone know what the communicative function of 'the article' is?
For example, if we consider 'must' and 'have ...
0
votes
0answers
40 views
Is the English correct? What's the best translation or interpretation? [duplicate]
I'm reading a technical IT document that can be found here.
So, the question is, in the phrasebelow:
A challenge password
is it correct write "a" instead of "an"? Why?
What is its' best ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
use of articles with personal names modified by adjectives
Suddenly, to everybody's surprise, the silent Mr.Smith swung around and addressed Barbara.
The dinner was served by a silent Mrs. Keats.
I saw an infuriated Jennifer, who started shouting at ...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
“An A and B” vs. “an A and a B” [closed]
Which one is correct if both A and B are singular — "an A and B" or "an A and a B"?
I am confused because I have seen both cases.
0
votes
1answer
54 views
articles when not to use [duplicate]
Which of the following sentences are correct?
Although it lives in all oceans and most seas, it prefers temperate and polar regions.
Although it lives in all oceans and most seas, it prefers the ...
-1
votes
2answers
209 views
Must a non-proper noun that starts a sentence be preceded with an article?
I'm doing some research in NLP, and thought you guys would be the best to ask this.
When looking at an English sentence, it is sometimes hard for a computer to distinguish between proper nouns, such ...
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Using stressed “the” to emphasize outstanding noun
I'm not a native English speaker and sometimes I encounter article "the" used in stressed form before some noun or name, mostly in movies, like "That's not the gun, that's THE gun" or "He is THE ...
-1
votes
1answer
93 views
Do you feel any subtle changes in meaning with the addition or omission of article(s) in this sentence? [closed]
I'm translating a short story that is a parody of Kafka's 'Report to an Academy.' A chimp is called to present a report to an academy about the time when he was a chimp. I'm to translate into English ...
0
votes
1answer
94 views
Zero article in a concessive adverbial clause
Which of the following two expressions is better?
A doctor by training as he is, he has proved himself to be a successful writer
Doctor by training as he is, he has proved himself to be a ...
0
votes
2answers
73 views
Usage of the article 'a' before bait in this particular instance
Is it acceptable to use the article 'a' before 'bait' in this sentence? Is there a difference in meaning here when you use 'a' or drop it?
"You would not have sent it to me for no reason. It was a ...
2
votes
2answers
123 views
“He feared a U.S. invasion” vs. “He feared U.S. invasion”
It it accurate to say this?
He feared a U.S. invasion.
Or should I say,
He feared U.S. invasion.
I'm trying to figure out when to place "a" in front of the U.S. when U.S. comes with a noun ...
2
votes
3answers
210 views
Difference between “an” and “one”
Forgive me if I miss something very obvious; English is not my native language.
I am currently taking an online (sort of) Math class that aims to teach creating/writing unambiguous Mathematical ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
Article usage on word 'default' when the context is known
This question excludes 'default' used in court or 'a default' for an indefinite future (e.g. setting a default option). My question pertains to circumstances where the context behind the question or ...
-2
votes
1answer
201 views
An Ozibox user OR a Ozibox user is correct? [duplicate]
Which one is better and why?
1) Are you an Ozibox user?
2) Are you a Ozibox user?
Ozibox is the name of a web application
0
votes
4answers
151 views
Why “the ipad” and not simply ipad [duplicate]
From what I've learned, special names don't get definite articles.
(I should admit that the use of articles in English is very tricky) For example, we say Apple but not the Apple to refer to the ...
-1
votes
2answers
108 views
Usage of “to” and “from” in my sentence
Is my sentence grammatically correct?
I asked from the friend who took this picture, had you ever seen anything like this before?
or should it be:
I asked a friend who took this picture, ...
-2
votes
2answers
167 views
Correct usage of indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' infront of acronyms [duplicate]
I wonder what is the correct usage, my assumption is that it is based on how you pronounce it, like for example:
an SQL query => pronounced an ess cue ell query ,
an XP OS => pronounced an ex pee oh ...
0
votes
1answer
142 views
Under which cases should an article (a/an/the) not be used? [duplicate]
The current machine has been repaired.
Current machine has been repaired.
Which is more natural? What are the subtle differences between them?
Under which cases should an article ...
6
votes
3answers
393 views
Usage of “a” and “the” in titles
Which one should I use for page title?
Apple — Tasty Fruit
Apple — A Tasty Fruit
Apple — The Tasty Fruit
The article is only about tasty apple.
-2
votes
2answers
74 views
“the 1st” or “1st”
I'm wondering which is the right usage between "the 1st" and "1st" in these sentences:
a) The United States ranked 1st in Bloomberg's Global Innovation Index.
b) The United States ranked the 1st in ...
3
votes
2answers
174 views
Correct placement of articles
My supervisor corrected the draft of my thesis, inserting a lot of articles here and there. I have doubts if he was correct. Could someone comment on the following sentences?
Over the last decade ...
2
votes
2answers
574 views
Is it “a user” or “an user” [duplicate]
Since user starts with a vowel shouldn't we use "an" ? I've seen many cases of using "a" .
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Zero article after “of” in “a change of place”
Given the sentence
The use of apples instead of pears is unexpected in the dish.
I don't think we can use apple instead of apples. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) But then, how come we can say the ...
1
vote
0answers
153 views
Guide to English Articles [closed]
I'm looking for a full and complete guide to English articles like THE, A, AN, (none).
Can anyone recommend me something like that? I'd like to finally learn this and never make a mistake again. ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Which article do I use? [duplicate]
When a word like television is used for a primary purpose then I know that no article is used; but when used for secondary purpose then which article is used?
Most people think __ is essential ...
3
votes
1answer
577 views
Use (or non-use) of articles before abstract nouns
I know I have asked a similar question before but this time I have examples taken from COCA and they do puzzle me. I would love to hear explanations from native speakers.
The following (incomplete) ...
-1
votes
1answer
118 views
Article Usage in a Presentation [closed]
I am preparing a presentation on a topic. I am curious about the usage of grammar articles in it. Do we have to conform to the rules of articles for a presentation?
1
vote
2answers
118 views
Why do prehistoric animals seem to lack articles?
Why do we say "this is a cat" or "this is a forty spotted pardalote" but "this is velociraptor" with no the or a?
2
votes
3answers
126 views
Choice of articles: the reduction/ a reduction /reduction
I am often confused about the use of articles before abstract nouns. Are the following three sentences all grammatically correct? If so, what differences are there, if any, in their meaning or nuance?
...
3
votes
2answers
127 views
Using articles before titles beginning with articles
What are the rules for the use of articles before titles beginning with articles? Which of the following sentences is correct?
I went to the The New York Times office this morning.
I went to The New ...
2
votes
3answers
163 views
“a” and “the” before time markers
For my linguistics course I was asked to explain the difference in meaning of the following:
1. I would like to have lunch with you on Friday
2. I would like to have lunch with you on a Friday
...
4
votes
5answers
100 views
Room Temperature: Article “A” or Not?
Below, “room temperature” takes the article “a” in one case but not the other. “Temperature” seems like a countable noun, so why no article in the first case? What is the grammar that is working here? ...
0
votes
1answer
76 views
“Is there a best X?” — why “a” if it's the superlative degree?
Which of the following is grammatical?
Is there a best school?
Is there the best school?
I'm sure that the first one is right. But why?
10
votes
4answers
843 views
Why did Obama use “a” in “… to hear a King proclaim that …”
From Obama's second inaugural speech:
We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our ...
1
vote
1answer
163 views
Is “make no mistake” a mistake?
Is "make no mistake" proper grammar?
Isn't "no" being used as a quantifier? Aren't quantified nouns supposed to be plural when the quantity is none? For example, I was taught to say, "one egg" and ...
1
vote
1answer
116 views
“Seems like an overkill” vs. “seems like overkill” [closed]
I’m wondering if an article is used with the word overkill:
Something seems like an overkill (to me).
Something seems like overkill (to me).
Which is grammatical?
0
votes
2answers
109 views
“This is a song by Lady Gaga” or “this is the song by Lady Gaga”? [closed]
Which article is appropriate in the blank below, a or the?
— What are you singing? I've heard the song many times.
— This is __ song by Lady Gaga.
0
votes
1answer
121 views
What kind of noun is 'splurge'?
I was reading a grammar book the other day, it was mentioned to omit articles "before names of substances and abstract nouns (i.e uncountable nouns)."
The nouns splurge and howler are abstract nouns ...
0
votes
4answers
132 views
Why is there no article in “The Child is father of the man”?
The Rainbow by William Wordsworth:
My heart leaps up when I behold
A Rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me ...
3
votes
2answers
167 views
Sometimes the article precedes the noun and not the adjective
I have a question that baffled me for a while now, and I'd be a happier person for an answer.
Why in sentences such as
It's not that big a deal.
And
He was as nice a friend as you were.
Or
...
