Questions tagged [articles]
Use this tag for questions about the usage of articles (e.g. a, an, and the).
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What would be the correct article in this sentence? [duplicate]
What would be the correct article to use in the following sentence?
He proposed a ML-based parameter selection method
Should I use 'a' or 'an' ?
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"the title, the introductory clause," but "a table of contents"
In the following paragraph:
It’s standard for a contract to consist of the front of the contract,
the body of the contract—what the parties are agreeing to—and the back
of the contract. The front ...
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2
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Appointed to a chair vs to the chair
I stumbled upon this line in a book (Singer's Practical Ethics):
Less violent protests took place at Princeton University when I was appointed to a chair of bioethics.
It struck me as odd as the way ...
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An exact cause of death vs the exact cause of death
1.) It can be difficult to determine an exact cause of death.
2.) It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of death.
In respect to an / the exact cause of death:
1.) seems to represent any ...
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During vs in vs due to differences [closed]
There can be at least 3 possibilities to say about deaths caused by any virus/pandemic, for example covid-19.
N number of people lost lives during covid-19 pandemic.
N number of people lost lives in ...
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Could articles be omitted in descriptions of art?
Compiling brief descriptions of art objects, is it okay to make do mostly without articles? For instance (about an old coin),
Eagle under crown; shield featuring Moscow’s coat-of-arms on eagle’s
...
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48
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Article before numbered nouns
Are these sentences correct without articles, please? Is this the same case as in equation (3)?
I check (the) key 2016.
In was in (the) test 2019.
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The + noun of + noun pattern
I am wondering whether there is a rule concerning "The + noun of (the) + noun". I mean, is there any rule specifying when to use the or a/an and when not? Here are some examples representing ...
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grab a lunch or grab lunch? [duplicate]
So I was writing an essay and want to know which sentence is correct-
I'll grab a lunch with Prof. Unknown and discuss his research on wearable computational fabrics. Or I'll grab lunch with Prof. ...
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Why are both the zero and definite articles used with these phrases?
How can the same noun take/miss a "the" in the following sentences.
(A) The Food and Drug Administration intends to authorize emergency
use of the vaccine on Friday.
(B) The country is ...
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Why do we put an indefinite article "a" before Merry Christmas? [duplicate]
I am wondering why there is an article -a- before Merry Christmas
Is it because it's a day or Christmas is countable?
I couldn't explain it to my students in a transparent way.
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Should Sporadic usage of Definite Article be placed in the middle of cataphoric usage and zero article usage?
I read from A Comprehensive Grammar of English Language (Quirk, 1985) that sporadic usage of definite article "the" indicates about about location but not a specific one, but an ...
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"Baby" without article [duplicate]
In articles I often read the author refer to a baby as "baby", without an article. Example:
She insists there is no modern proof that it is safe for baby
Our midwife does the same, always ...
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Question related to articles when using with main, major, and key [closed]
When I see the phrase 'The main advantage of something', I know the speakers imply that there is only one advantage. However, in the two following phrases 'a key advantage of something', and 'a major ...
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'a' and 'the' confusion [duplicate]
I am not native English speaker. I get frustrated when it come to articles. Can you please tell me whether the sentence below is grammatically correct.
She spent all the night in rereading a letter ...
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The Usage of Generic Article "a" Plus Singular Noun
I would like to ask the following question about seemingly generic article "a" plus singular noun as I could not find posts that sufficiently covered this topic.
I read short passages about ...
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articles: health and fine dust
Two questions regarding articles in this sentence:
(The) Fine dust is considered the worst pollutant threatening (the) health.
Is it grammatical to not put any articles in front of "health" ...
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Birth of a universe vs birth of an universe [duplicate]
Which is the correct usage from the following two sentences?
Birth of a universe
Birth of an universe
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Proper adjective, or noun with Indefinite or zero article, when defining national identity?
Why is it mostly a preferred option to use an adjective as a subject complement when it comes round to national identity whereas "American" can be both a noun and an adjective?
I am ...
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Using article in a sentence
I am always confused about using articles. I have three sentences.
Depth of friendship doesn't depend on length of acquaintance.
A passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young.
Friendship is ...
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Removing articles in domain names [duplicate]
There are not a lot of domain names which have articles in their names.
For example, as I know, the initial name for facebook was thefacebook. And as I understand for native speakers now there is no ...
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at undergraduate level or at the undergraduate level
Should I say 'at undergraduate level' or 'at the undergraduate level'. I can find both online. To me, level is a countable noun, so I would prefer the latter one. But there are a lot sentences using ...
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Articles in the song of the Beatles [closed]
Why there’s no articles in the phase of the song Blackbird?
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Would it be more correct to use articles before “Blackbird” and “Night”?
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Adding "an" or not, when describing different medical conditions - are there rules?
First off, I'll admit that attempting to codify the use of "a" & "the" could easily drive a person insane. I hope you'll forgive me for asking such a question.
However, I've ...
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How can you explain this articles rule?
In an English test book I found the exercise
That is a book. The book is thick. That book isn't thin. This is an interesting thick book.
Another one example
This is a compuer. The computer isn't ...
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86
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Is “an historical” correct? [duplicate]
Why do some people say or write an historical but not an ham sandwich or an hint?
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92
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At school vs in school
I am confused between these two
Our teachers were not in the school yesterday
Our teachers were not at school yesterday
Similarly
My mother was in the temple yesterday evening
My mother was at the ...
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1
answer
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Why is it 'the Corona virus' not 'Corona Virus'?
Corona is the name of a virus and hence is a proper noun. Please tell me why this exception arises. Also if there are other similar cases when 'the' is used before proper nouns, please let me know.
...
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692
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Is an article required before a math variable?
Is the definite article required before a variable used to abbreviate a physical quantity?
The ft is the same for both cases at various values of the Lc. As the Lc increases, the fr also shifts.
ft ...
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When do I place an article before a verb?
There is a product called "FUEL DOOR OPENER", lets say.
If it is responsible for opening and locking of a particular type of fuel door, is the following sentence correct?
ACTUATOR that is ...
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Is it "Despite the persistent symptoms" or "Despite persistent symptoms"?
I am not sure whether I should add "the" between "Despite" and "persistent" because I am terrible with articles. Any suggestions? The complete sentence is below:
Despite ...
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474
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Definite article before words quality, scale, color and other singular properties
Why to use definite article before many singular properties of objects such us quality, scale, color, etc.
The quality of this product is not very good - products have just one, unique, singular ...
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I'd like it vs. I'd like that?
I'm a native English speaker, and I'm trying to explain to my Russian friend what the difference is but I just can't.
I asked her if she would like for me to send her some songs that could help ...
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2
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Need for definite article: Different statistical families, types of regression analyses, were used
Which of the following sentences is correct?
Different statistical families, types of regression analyses, were used.
OR
Different statistical families, the types of regression analyses, were used.
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Article use in sentences with multiple "of" phrases [closed]
Do you have any simple-to-follow rules for a case given subsequently? When different options should be preferred?
A
The three-month period was chosen to limit the use of personalised data of study ...
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Is it correct to put 'the' before uncaring?
There was an article on local daily titled 'To all the uncaring people'.
Is it correct to put the before uncaring?
Your take on this.
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Is there a case I should say "in absence of" instead of "in the absence of"?
I am checking the usage of "in the absence of".
I learned "in the absence of", but there may be some cases this phrase is written without "the".
(Example: https://ludwig....
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Why is it incorrect to say "Without a car, it takes a long time to get from a place to another."?
This is the exact text from the Longman dictionary of common errors:
Incorrect: Without a car, it takes a long time to get from a place to another.
Correct: Without a car, it takes a long time to get ...
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Article Usage in Standard American English [duplicate]
Here is the text:
"This is a 29-year-old Arn Anderson, who looks much older than that. It seems the stress of keeping the crowds entertained every night got to him and aged him much quicker than ...
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Articles when describing video games
Let's imagine that you are browsing a list of games and stumble across a game called Wheelie 6. You've never heard of it before and have never played the previous five games.
Wheelie is back... in ...
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Lecturer/Tutor at Online University, which word is more appropriate? [closed]
In the following paragraph:
I am Dr. John SMITH, Lecturer at [the name of a virtual university
(abbr.)] since 2009, and Research Director at [the name of another
university (abbr.)] in the years 2012-...
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Guideline for use of definite and indefinite articles in source code documentation
I have a doubt about proper use of definite and indefinite articles is source code documentation.
For example:
/**
* Opens the door.
*
* @param speed The opening speed in cm/s.
* @param alarm The ...
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"Is watermelon a fruit" - why is there no article before watermelon?
Is watermelon a fruit?
I tried to find a rule for that, and the closest one was saying that there should be no article when we talk about objects in general. That makes sense - this is a generic ...
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28
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"I see myself as" with personal names of well-known individuals [closed]
I'm not sure how to use articles when using personal names of well-known characters in this particular case.
For example it would be "I see myself as a nice person" or "I see myself as ...
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Is it "she's a vegetarian" or "she's vegetarian"? [duplicate]
When should I not use indefinite articles? I get very confused.
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Does the noun "structure" require an article in this case? [duplicate]
Can I write "Structure is key to the clarity of writing" without a determiner before "structure"?
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"the Greek occupation" and "Greek occupation"
I was wondering if I can use "the Greek occupation" and "Greek occupation" interchangeably in the examples written below ?
Greek occupation of Smyrna started on 15 May 1919 where ...
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Should I use "a" or "the" for "issue" when I first mention it in a paragraph? Do I need article for "selectivity"?
I am writing a technical report and need some help for verifying the very first sentence:
"This report presents an effective approach to mitigating the prolonged issue of the insufficient wet ...
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2
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Dropping articles: "I have a little brother and little sister." - is this correct? [closed]
I teach ESL online through a company which provides materials. One sentence given is
"I have a little brother and little sister."
When I read this aloud to the student, I automatically added ...
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Need some help with articles in a simple list (please see the actual example below)
This is the list of topics and their tasks. Do I need to put articles in the following cases?
THE meeting:
Discuss achievements
Find solutions
THE brand's problem
Find the strategy
Set tasks
In ...
