2. Let’s Get Started
Fill in the blanks with a, an, or the.
Year went by, and ____ Giant became ______old and feeble man. He could not play any more, so he sat
in _____armchair, watched ______children at their games and admired his garden. ‘I have many beautiful
flowers,’ he said, ‘but______ children are _____most beautiful flowers of all.’
One winter morning, he looked out of a window as he was dressing. He did not hate _____ winter now,
for he knew it was merely _____Spring asleep, and that _____flowers were resting. Suddenly he rubbed
his eye in wonder, and looked and looked. It certainly was _____ marvellous sight. In _____ farthest
corner of ______ garden was ______tree quite covered with lovely white blossoms. Its branches were all
golden, and silver fruit hung down from them, and underneath it stood______ little boy he had loved.
Downstairs ran_______ Giant in great joy and out into _______garden. He hurried across ______ grass,
and came near to ______ child.
3. You know that articles can be of two types: Indefinite (a, an) and definite (the).
Uses of the Indefinite Articles
The Indefinite article a is used for the following.
1)Before a noun which refers to any member of a group and not a specific member.
Examples: (i) I want to read a book. (ii) Piu wants to see a film.
22)Before a countable noun.
Examples: a girl, a ship, a basket
3)Before a consonant or a vowel with a consonant sound.
Examples: a library, a university
The indefinite articles an is also used to refer to a non-specific person or thing. It is also used for the following.
1)Before nouns that begin with a vowel sound.
Examples: an apple, an orchard, an oven
2)Before nouns that begin with a consonant that has a vowels sound.
Examples: an MLA, an NGO
3)Before words that begin with a silent h.
Examples: an heir, an hour, an honest boy, an honour
4. Uses of Definite Article
The is called the Definite article. It is used for the following
1) Before a specific noun.
Example: I want to read the book on ancient civilizations.
2) Before a superlative adjective.
Example: the most brilliant student in class, the tallest girl, the greatest work of art
3) Before a noun that has been mentioned before.
Example: This is a dangerous area in the forest. The area has been cordoned off by the
forest officials.
4)Before the name of a musical instrument.
Examples: She is practicing the piano,
The violin has been lying unused for years.
5. 5) When we refer to the members of a professional as a whole.
Example: The police have failed to act on time.
6) When we talk about a group of people or a certain class.
Example: The rich and the poor live harmoniously in the neighbourhood.
7) To refer to well-known buildings or great works of art and music.
Example: the Taj Mahal, the Qutub Minar, the Mona Lisa
8) Before the name of a thing when there is only one of it.
Example: the sun, the moon
9) Before proper nouns which are the names of geographical features.
Example: the Everest, the Atlantic Ocean
6. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles.
1. There is undoubtedly ______element of mystery about the house.
2. ______unicorn is _____ mythical creature.
3. It is _____ easy task to convince him to join us.
4. What is _____ most memorable moment in your life?
5. Do all students need to fill _____ form?
6. It was ______ incredible sight!
7. Never underestimate _____ intelligence of _____ child.
8. _____ daily news is filled with stories about robberies.
9. The chief guest was requested to announce _____ winner of _____debate
competition.
10. Who is _______manager of this store?
7. Complete the passage with appropriate articles.
I remember being stuck by _____deep bond shared between _____siblings.
Wherever life took them, they always remembered to treasure
______connection they had. ______few years ago, when there was
_____unusual wave of violence in ______city that ______ brother lived in,
______sister made it _______point to catch ______next flight to be with
him. Regardless of _______difference in their character, their attachment
grew deeper over ______ year.
8. Omission of Articles
Articles are omitted in a sentence in the following cases.
1) When the singular noun represents all the people or things belonging to that particular class.
Example: Man proposes, God disposes.
2) Before names of materials from which things are made
Example: This ring is made of gold.
3) With plural nouns representing the entire class.
Example: Scientist are known for their dedication to their research.
4) Before names of meal, diseases, days, month, and seasons.
Examples: I had idli for breakfast/
Rahul is suffering from chicken pox.
Shiuli will visit her grandmother on Tuesday.
Will you come back in January?
April is the hottest month of all.
9. 5) Before the name of languages and disciplines.
Examples: English is my favourite subject.
He is an expert in theoretical physics.
6) While referring to one’s relative.
Example: Uncle promised to get me a copy of the book.
7) In news headlines and notices.
Examples: Finance Minister Tables Budget for Next Fiscal Year
Blue sweater found in canteen
The omission of articles changes the meaning of sentences.
Examples: The poet and the painter are no more.
The poet and the painter is no more.
In the first sentence, the repetition of the definite article the indicates that the poet and the painter are
two separate people.
In the second sentence, the omission of the before the noun painter denotes that the poet and the
painter refer to the same person.
10. ASSIGNMENT
Insert articles where necessary and omit the unnecessary articles.
1. We planted ___ few saplings in fertilized soil that was prepared by the farmers.
2. We were woken up by the throaty calls of the various birds at ____ hill station we visited the last week.
3. The doctor and the researcher of cancer medicine, Dr Parekh, is in _____ country to attend conference.
4. We were shown a few original paintings of ____ great author and painter, ________Rabindranath Tagore.
5. The poor child is _____ orphan who roams the streets in search of _______ food.
6. I had_____ delicious appetizer during the lunch today.
7. The great pianist and _____ conductor is here to hold a master class for advanced students.
8. Unfortunately_____ elephant escaped from ______ sanctuary this morning.
9. We were the lucky to spot _____ handsome red deer and a golden fox during our night safari.
10. Anita has a black and white shawl to wear with her _____ new dress.
11. The baby was enjoying bath in _____ refreshingly cool water.
12. My father loves listening to songs of famous singer and _______ song writer, Bob Dylan.
11. ASSIGNMENGT
Let Us Write
Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles.
Last night my father decide to celebrate _____ promotion he had recently got at his job. We went to ____newly-
opened restaurant in our locality ______ well-dressed man showed us to our table and handed us _____ menu. I
ordered______ egg biryani while my parents opted for dosas. _______ restaurant was decorated with ______
chandelier which hung in the centre of _____ceiling. But when the food arrived, we got _____ rude shock. ______
biryani had not been cooked properly and _____ dosas were soggy. We could not believe that _____ reputed restaurant
would serve such food! We immediately called _____ chef and _____ manager. They offered _______apology but by
then, ______ food had spoilt our mood. I thought that _____ simple dinner at home would have been much better.
13. Answer Key
A) Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles
1) an
2)A,a
3)an
4)the
5)the
6)an
7)the,a
8)The
9)the,the
10)the
14. B) Complete the passage with appropriate articles.
a, the, the , A, an, the, the, the, a, the, the, the.
C) Insert articles where necessary and omit the unnecessary articles.
1) We planted a few saplings infertilized soil that was prepared by farmers.
2) We were woken up by the throaty calls of the various birds at the hill station we visited last week.
3) The Doctor and the researcher of cancer medicine, Dr. Parekh, is in the country to attend a conference.
4) We were shown a few original paintings of the great author and painter, Rabindranath Tagore.
5) The poor child is an orphan who roams the streets in search of food.
6) I had a delicious appetizer during lunch today.
7) The great pianist and conductor is here to hold a master class for advanced students.
8) Unfortunately, am elephant escaped from the sanctuary this morning.
9) We were lucky to spot a handsome red deer and a golden fox during our night safari.
10) Anita has a black and white shawl to wear with her new dress.
D ) Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles
the , the , A, the, an, The, a, the, a, The , the, the, the, the, an, the, a.