Articles (A, An, The)
Articles English grammar ka ek important part hain jo noun ke sath use hote hain. Articles do types ke hote hain:
1. Indefinite Articles – A, An
2. Definite Article – The
1. Indefinite Articles (A, An)
Indefinite articles “A” aur “An” uncountable singular nouns ke sath use hote hain jab kisi specific cheez ki baat nahi ho rahi ho.
(A) “A” ka use
“A” un words ke sath use hota hai jo consonant sound se start hote hain.
Examples:
• A boy is playing in the park.
• She bought a car.
• He is a university student. (University “yu” sound se start hota hai, jo consonant sound hai.)
• I saw a European traveler. (European “yu” sound se start hota hai, isliye “A” use hoga.)
(B) “An” ka use
“An” un words ke sath use hota hai jo vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u) se start hote hain.
Examples:
• He is an intelligent boy.
• She ate an apple.
• I saw an elephant in the zoo.
• He is an honest man. (Honest “o” sound se start hota hai, isliye “An” use hoga.)
• She gave me an MLA’s contact number. (MLA ka first sound “Em” hota hai, jo vowel sound hai.)
2. Definite Article (The)
“The” ek definite article hai jo kisi specific cheez ya person ki baat karne ke liye use hota hai.
(A) “The” ka use specific nouns ke sath
• The sun is shining brightly. (Sirf ek hi sun hai, isliye “The” use hoga.)
• I read the book you gave me. (Ek specific book ki baat ho rahi hai.)
(B) “The” superlative degree ke sath
• He is the best player in our team.
• This is the most interesting movie.
(C) Unique things ke sath
• The moon looks beautiful tonight.
• The earth revolves around the sun.
(D) “The” ordinal numbers ke sath
• He stood the first in the exam.
• This is the second time I am telling you.
(E) “The” famous buildings, newspapers, and books ke sath
• I visited the Taj Mahal.
• She reads The Times of India.
• He wrote the Ramayana.
(F) “The” rivers, mountains, and oceans ke sath
• The Ganga is a holy river.
• The Himalayas are covered with snow.
• The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean.
(G) “The” musical instruments ke sath
• She plays the guitar well.
• He can play the piano.
(H) “The” nationality ya community ke sath
• The French are known for their culture.
• The Hindus celebrate Diwali.
Articles ke bina kabhi bhi noun nahi aata jab:
• Plural general nouns hote hain:
• Dogs are loyal animals. (❌ The dogs are loyal animals.)
• Non-countable general nouns hote hain:
• Water is essential for life. (❌ The water is essential for life.)
Important Notes
1. “A” aur “An” ka use sirf singular countable nouns ke sath hota hai.
2. “The” singular aur plural dono nouns ke sath use ho sakta hai.
3. Proper nouns (names, places, persons) ke sath generally “The” nahi lagta, jab tak wo ek specific category ko represent na kare.
4. “The” news, politics, economics jaise abstract nouns ke sath use hota hai.
Cases Where Articles (A, An, The) Are NOT Used
English grammar me kuch aise situations hote hain jahan A, An, The ka use nahi hota. Yeh rules SSC CGL exams ke liye important hain.
1. Proper Nouns ke Saath
Proper nouns (names of people, places, or specific things) ke saath articles nahi lagte.
✅ Rahul is my best friend. (❌ The Rahul is my best friend.)
✅ I visited Delhi last year. (❌ The Delhi last year.)
✅ She lives in India. (❌ The India.)
Exception: Jab proper noun ek famous place ya institution ko refer kare to “The” use hota hai.
• ✅ I visited The Taj Mahal.
• ✅ He studied at The University of Oxford.
2. Plural Countable Nouns (General Meaning me)
Jab kisi cheez ya group ki general category ki baat ho rahi ho, tab article nahi lagta.
✅ Dogs are loyal animals. (❌ The dogs are loyal animals.)
✅ Computers have changed the world. (❌ The computers have changed the world.)
Exception: Jab hum kisi specific group ki baat karte hain tab “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The dogs in my neighborhood are very noisy.
3. Abstract Nouns ke Saath (General Meaning me)
Abstract nouns jaise happiness, honesty, love, wisdom, courage ke saath article nahi lagta.
✅ Honesty is the best policy. (❌ The honesty is the best policy.)
✅ Love is blind. (❌ The love is blind.)
✅ Happiness is more important than money. (❌ The happiness is more important than money.)
Exception: Jab abstract noun specific situation ko refer kare tab “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The honesty of that man impressed me.
• ✅ The love between them is true.
4. Uncountable Nouns ke Saath
Uncountable nouns jaise water, milk, rice, sugar, information, advice, furniture, air ke saath article nahi lagta.
✅ Water is essential for life. (❌ The water is essential for life.)
✅ I need advice on this matter. (❌ An advice on this matter.)
✅ She bought furniture for her new house. (❌ A furniture for her new house.)
Exception: Jab noun ko specify karte hain tab “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The water in this bottle is cold.
• ✅ He gave me the advice I needed.
5. Meals, Sports, and Subjects ke Saath
✅ We had lunch at 2 PM. (❌ The lunch at 2 PM.)
✅ She plays football every evening. (❌ The football every evening.)
✅ I am studying Mathematics. (❌ The Mathematics.)
Exception: Jab meal ya subject specific situation ko refer kare to “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The lunch we had at the hotel was delicious.
• ✅ He is bad at the mathematics in this book.
6. Languages ke Saath
✅ He speaks English fluently. (❌ The English fluently.)
✅ She is learning French. (❌ The French.)
Exception: Jab language ke pehle “language” word aaye ya specific reference ho to “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The English language is widely spoken.
• ✅ The French people love their culture.
7. Days, Months, and Festivals ke Saath
✅ Today is Monday. (❌ The Monday.)
✅ I was born in December. (❌ The December.)
✅ We celebrate Diwali every year. (❌ The Diwali.)
Exception: Jab kisi specific festival ya day ki baat ho tab “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The Christmas of 2020 was special.
• ✅ The Monday after the exam was relaxing.
8. Names of Continents, Countries, and States ke Saath
✅ Asia is the largest continent. (❌ The Asia.)
✅ India is a beautiful country. (❌ The India.)
✅ Bihar is in eastern India. (❌ The Bihar.)
Exception: Jab country ya place ke naam me plural ho ya words like Republic, United, Kingdom, States ho to “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The United States of America (USA)
• ✅ The Netherlands
• ✅ The Republic of China
9. Names of Roads, Parks, and Bridges ke Saath
✅ I live on MG Road. (❌ The MG Road.)
✅ We visited Central Park. (❌ The Central Park.)
✅ They crossed Howrah Bridge. (❌ The Howrah Bridge.)
Exception: Jab road ya park ke naam me “of” ya “The” ho tab article lagta hai.
• ✅ The High Street is busy today.
• ✅ We visited The Garden of Five Senses.
10. Names of Individual Mountains and Islands ke Saath
✅ Mount Everest is the highest peak. (❌ The Mount Everest.)
✅ Sri Lanka is a beautiful island. (❌ The Sri Lanka.)
Exception: Mountain ranges aur island groups ke saath “The” lagta hai.
• ✅ The Himalayas are covered with snow.
• ✅ The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in India.
Summary (Jahan Articles Nahi Lagta)
❌ Proper Nouns (Rahul, Delhi, India)
❌ Plural Countable Nouns (Dogs, Computers)
❌ Abstract Nouns (Honesty, Love, Happiness)
❌ Uncountable Nouns (Water, Milk, Rice)
❌ Meals, Sports, Subjects (Lunch, Football, Mathematics)
❌ Languages (English, French)
❌ Days, Months, Festivals (Monday, December, Diwali)
❌ Most Country, State, and Continent Names (India, Asia, Bihar)
❌ Roads, Parks, and Bridges (MG Road, Central Park, Howrah Bridge)
❌ Individual Mountains and Islands (Mount Everest, Sri Lanka)
ЁЯФ╣ Fill in the Blanks (Choose A, An, or The)
1. She adopted ___ cat from the shelter.
2. I saw ___ elephant at the zoo.
3. We stayed in ___ hotel near the beach.
4. My father is ___ honest man.
5. She is reading ___ interesting book.
6. I bought ___ apple and a banana.
7. There is ___ university in this city.
8. He is looking for ___ one-eyed dog.
9. I met ___ European tourist yesterday.
10. They live in ___ USA.
ЁЯФ╣ Error Detection (Find the Mistake in Articles)
11. She bought a orange from the market.
12. We visited a Eiffel Tower last summer.
13. He is an university professor.
14. I saw an unique painting in the museum.
15. She plays the football every evening.
ЁЯФ╣ Choose the Correct Option
16. He is ___ best player in our team.
a) A
b) An
c) The
d) No article
17. We should protect ___ environment.
a) A
b) An
c) The
d) No article
18. My mother is reading ___ Times of India.
a) A
b) An
c) The
d) No article
19. There was ___ heavy storm last night.
a) A
b) An
c) The
d) No article
20. We saw ___ moon shining brightly.
a) A
b) An
c) The
d) No article
ЁЯФ╣ Answers (Check After Attempting)
ЁЯФ╕ Fill in the Blanks:
1. a
2. an
3. a
4. an
5. an
6. an
7. a
8. a
9. a
10. the
ЁЯФ╕ Error Detection:
11. ❌ a → ✅ an orange
12. ❌ a → ✅ the Eiffel Tower
13. ❌ an → ✅ a university professor
14. ❌ an → ✅ a unique painting
15. ❌ the → ✅ (no article) She plays football every evening.
ЁЯФ╕ Choose the Correct Option:
16. c) The
17. c) The
18. c) The
19. a) A
20. c) The