{"id":351,"date":"2025-04-17T16:36:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T16:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/text-articles\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T15:13:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T15:13:31","slug":"text-articles","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/englishcomp1\/chapter\/text-articles\/","title":{"raw":"Other Parts of Speech: Learn It 5","rendered":"Other Parts of Speech: Learn It 5"},"content":{"raw":"If you thought prepositions were \u201clittle\u201d words, then wait until we consider the part of speech called articles.\u00a0Articles are the smallest of the small words but still serve an important function in sentences.\r\n\r\n
\r\n

articles<\/h3>\r\nWe have three articles in the English language:\u00a0a<\/strong>,\u00a0an, <\/strong>and\u00a0the<\/strong>.\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • The<\/strong>\u00a0is the\u00a0definite article<\/strong>, which means it refers to a\u00a0specific\u00a0<\/strong>noun in a group.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • A<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0an<\/strong>\u00a0is the\u00a0indefinite article<\/strong>, which means it refers to\u00a0any\u00a0<\/strong>member of a group. You would use the indefinite article when you aren\u2019t trying to distinguish a particular noun.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2905\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"135\"]\"The Figure 1<\/strong>. The article \"a\" is unspecific and non-distinguishable.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe definite article indicates a level of specificity that the indefinite does not. \"An apple\" could refer to any<\/em> apple; however, \"the apple\" refers to one<\/em> specific apple.\r\n\r\nThere are also cases in which no article\u00a0is required:\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Here are examples of generic nouns:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • The\u00a0cars have accelerators.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t
      • Cars<\/em> have accelerators.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Happiness <\/i>is contagious.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nYou may also see where there is no need for an article with most (not all!) proper names like\u00a0Sabrina<\/em>, France<\/i>, London<\/i>, etc.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2906\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"144\"]\"The Figure 2<\/strong>. Remember, \"an\" only comes before a vowel sound, not any word that begins with a vowel.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nFor example, we say in English, \"I live in the United States of America.\" It is incorrect to say, \"We lived in the France for a year.\"\r\n

        Indefinite Article<\/span><\/h2>\r\nIn English, the indefinite article takes the two forms a<\/i> and an<\/i>. The indefinite article means \"one,\" usually without emphasis.\r\n

        Distinction between a<\/i> and an<\/i><\/span><\/h3>\r\nYou've probably learned the rule that an<\/em> comes before a vowel and that a<\/em> comes before a consonant. While this is generally true, it's more accurate to say that\u00a0an<\/em> comes before a vowel\u00a0sound<\/em>, and\u00a0a<\/em> comes before a consonant\u00a0sound<\/em>.\r\n\r\n
        Let's look at a few examples with\u00a0a<\/em>:\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • a box<\/i><\/li>\r\n \t
        • a\u00a0HEPA filter<\/i> (HEPA is pronounced as a word rather than as letters)<\/li>\r\n \t
        • a one-armed bandit<\/i> (pronounced \"won.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0\")<\/li>\r\n \t
        • a unicorn<\/i> (pronounced \"yoo.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0\")<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nAnd now with\u00a0an<\/em>:\r\n
            \r\n \t
          • an apple<\/i><\/li>\r\n \t
          • an EPA policy<\/em> (the letter\u00a0E<\/em> read as a letter still starts with a vowel sound)<\/li>\r\n \t
          • an SSO<\/i> (pronounced \"es-es-oh\")<\/li>\r\n \t
          • an hour<\/i> (the h<\/i> is silent)<\/li>\r\n \t
          • an heir<\/i> (pronounced \"air\")<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>
            Some speakers and writers use an<\/i> before a word beginning with the sound h<\/em><\/span>\u00a0in an unstressed syllable: an historical novel<\/i>, an hotel<\/i>.\u00a0However, when the h<\/em> is clearly pronounced, this usage is now less common, and a<\/em> is preferred.<\/section>
            [ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]34548[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]34549[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]34550[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]34551[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]34552[\/ohm2_question]\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n

            Definite Article<\/span><\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2422\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"200\"]\"The Figure 3<\/strong>. \"The\" is specific.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe definite article the<\/i> is used when the referent of the noun phrase is assumed to be unique or known from the context.\r\n\r\nFor example, in the sentence \"The<\/strong> boy with glasses was looking at the<\/strong> moon,\" we can assume that, in this context, the reference is to only one boy and only one moon.\r\n\r\nThe<\/em> can be used with both singular and plural nouns, with nouns of any gender, and with nouns that start with any letter. This is different from many other languages (like el or las in Spanish), which have different articles for different genders or numbers.\u00a0The<\/i> is the most commonly used word in the English language.\r\n\r\n
            [ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]40719[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]40720[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]40721[\/ohm2_question][ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]40722[\/ohm2_question]\r\n\r\n<\/section> \r\n

            Word Order<\/span><\/h2>\r\nIn most cases, the article is the first word of its noun phrase, before any other adjectives and modifiers.\r\n

            The<\/i> little old red bag held a<\/i> very big surprise.<\/p>\r\nThere are a few exceptions, however:\r\n

              \r\n \t
            • Certain words, such as all<\/i>, both<\/i>, half<\/i>, and\u00a0<\/em>double<\/i>, come before the definite article when used with the phrases (all of the team<\/i>, both of the girls<\/i>, half the time<\/i>, double the amount<\/i>).<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Such<\/i> and\u00a0what<\/i> precede the indefinite article (such an idiot<\/i>, what a day!<\/i>).<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Too<\/em>, so<\/i>, as,<\/i> and how<\/i> generally precede the indefinite article (think of these as qualifying nouns): too great a loss<\/i>, so hard a problem<\/i>, as delicious an apple as I have ever tasted<\/i>, I know how cute the puppy is.<\/i><\/li>\r\n \t
            • Quite<\/i>\u00a0often precedes the indefinite article: quite a long letter<\/i>.\u00a0Note:<\/strong> the phrase\u00a0a quite long letter<\/em> is also a correct construction. However, the two have different meanings:\r\n
                \r\n \t
              • In quite a long letter<\/em>,\u00a0quite<\/em> modifies\u00a0letter<\/em>: it's quite a letter.<\/li>\r\n \t
              • In\u00a0a quite long letter<\/em>,\u00a0quite<\/em> modifies\u00a0long<\/em>: the letter is quite long.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                Read the following passage and make any necessary changes to the articles. Explain your reasoning for each change.\r\n

                A\u00a0Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation. Although not the\u00a0first space telescope, Hubble is one of the largest and most versatile, and is well known as both an\u00a0vital research tool and an\u00a0public relations boon for astronomy. The HST is named after the astronomer Edwin Hubble.<\/p>\r\n

                Hubble's orbit outside the distortion of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images. Hubble has recorded the some of most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing the\u00a0deep view into space and time.<\/p>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"4\"][\/practice-area]\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"666227\"]Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"666227\"]Here is the\u00a0corrected passage. Each correction has been numbered. Explanations for each correction are given below the passage.\r\n

                (1) The<\/strong> Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990, and remains in operation. Although not the first space telescope, Hubble is one of the largest and most versatile, and is well known as both (2)\u00a0a<\/strong> vital research tool and (3)\u00a0a<\/strong> public relations boon for astronomy. The HST is named after the astronomer Edwin Hubble.<\/p>\r\n

                Hubble's orbit outside the distortion of Earth's atmosphere allows it to take extremely high-resolution images. Hubble has recorded (4)\u00a0some of the<\/strong> most detailed visible-light images ever, allowing (5)\u00a0a<\/strong> deep view into space and time.<\/p>\r\nWhy were these changes necessary?\r\n

                  \r\n \t
                1. There is only one Hubble Space Telescope, so it requires the\u00a0definite article,\u00a0the<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n \t
                2. Vital<\/em> starts with a consonant sound, so it requires\u00a0a,<\/em> not\u00a0an<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n \t
                3. Public<\/i> starts with a consonant sound, so it requires a,<\/em> not an<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n \t
                4. As we discussed, phrases like \"some of\" are exceptions to the general word order rule, and they come before articles.<\/li>\r\n \t
                5. There are several different views into space, and this is just one of them. Thus, we need to use the indefinite article. Deep<\/em> starts with a consonant, so it requires\u00a0a,<\/em> not\u00a0an<\/em>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"

                  If you thought prepositions were \u201clittle\u201d words, then wait until we consider the part of speech called articles.\u00a0Articles are the smallest of the small words but still serve an important function in sentences.<\/p>\n

                  \n

                  articles<\/h3>\n

                  We have three articles in the English language:\u00a0a<\/strong>,\u00a0an, <\/strong>and\u00a0the<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • The<\/strong>\u00a0is the\u00a0definite article<\/strong>, which means it refers to a\u00a0specific\u00a0<\/strong>noun in a group.<\/li>\n
                  • A<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0an<\/strong>\u00a0is the\u00a0indefinite article<\/strong>, which means it refers to\u00a0any\u00a0<\/strong>member of a group. You would use the indefinite article when you aren\u2019t trying to distinguish a particular noun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n
                    \"The
                    Figure 1<\/strong>. The article “a” is unspecific and non-distinguishable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

                    The definite article indicates a level of specificity that the indefinite does not. “An apple” could refer to any<\/em> apple; however, “the apple” refers to one<\/em> specific apple.<\/p>\n

                    There are also cases in which no article\u00a0is required:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Here are examples of generic nouns:\n
                        \n
                      • The\u00a0cars have accelerators.\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n
                      • Cars<\/em> have accelerators.<\/li>\n
                      • Happiness <\/i>is contagious.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        You may also see where there is no need for an article with most (not all!) proper names like\u00a0Sabrina<\/em>, France<\/i>, London<\/i>, etc.<\/p>\n

                        \"The
                        Figure 2<\/strong>. Remember, “an” only comes before a vowel sound, not any word that begins with a vowel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

                        For example, we say in English, “I live in the United States of America.” It is incorrect to say, “We lived in the France for a year.”<\/p>\n

                        Indefinite Article<\/span><\/h2>\n

                        In English, the indefinite article takes the two forms a<\/i> and an<\/i>. The indefinite article means “one,” usually without emphasis.<\/p>\n

                        Distinction between a<\/i> and an<\/i><\/span><\/h3>\n

                        You’ve probably learned the rule that an<\/em> comes before a vowel and that a<\/em> comes before a consonant. While this is generally true, it’s more accurate to say that\u00a0an<\/em> comes before a vowel\u00a0sound<\/em>, and\u00a0a<\/em> comes before a consonant\u00a0sound<\/em>.<\/p>\n

                        Let’s look at a few examples with\u00a0a<\/em>:<\/p>\n
                          \n
                        • a box<\/i><\/li>\n
                        • a\u00a0HEPA filter<\/i> (HEPA is pronounced as a word rather than as letters)<\/li>\n
                        • a one-armed bandit<\/i> (pronounced “won.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0“)<\/li>\n
                        • a unicorn<\/i> (pronounced “yoo.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0“)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          And now with\u00a0an<\/em>:<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • an apple<\/i><\/li>\n
                          • an EPA policy<\/em> (the letter\u00a0E<\/em> read as a letter still starts with a vowel sound)<\/li>\n
                          • an SSO<\/i> (pronounced “es-es-oh”)<\/li>\n
                          • an hour<\/i> (the h<\/i> is silent)<\/li>\n
                          • an heir<\/i> (pronounced “air”)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n
                            Some speakers and writers use an<\/i> before a word beginning with the sound h<\/em><\/span>\u00a0in an unstressed syllable: an historical novel<\/i>, an hotel<\/i>.\u00a0However, when the h<\/em> is clearly pronounced, this usage is now less common, and a<\/em> is preferred.<\/section>\n