How To Solve Articles Questions Quickly

Rule 1

Specific Identity unknown:

In a situation where specific identity is unknown to the reader we use the indefinite articles ‘a’ and ‘an’. As the rules claim, we should ‘A’ before any consonant noun and ‘An’ before a vowel noun (a, e, i, o, u).

• We use ‘a’ or ‘an’ to address any general participant of a group.
  • A dog is faithful
  • That woman is a doctor
  • We went to look for an apartment.

• We use indefinite article to address any number. ( only one in count)
  • I have a bat and two balls.
  • I ate an apple and an orange
• We use ‘a’ before a consonant or ‘an’ before a vowel (a, e, i, o, u).
  • A car
    
  • An owl
  • A pen
  • An island
• We use ‘a’ or ‘an’ before any adjective while describing a noun.
  • An angry girl
  • A beautiful picture
  • An orange dress
  • A horrifying incident

• We use ‘some’ when we address the plural form of a noun to replace indefinite articles. Using ‘some’ means to talk about a limited or unspecified amount of a noun. However, this should always be more than one.
  • I want to drink some water (uncountable)
    
  • She got me some pens from her shop (countable)

Rule #2 –

Specific identity known

As the name suggests, we use the definite article ‘the’ to address any noun irrespective of its count or number (singular, plural) that is known or specific to the reader.

• We use ‘the’ to talk about any noun whose specifications are already known.
  • I saw a strange animal yesterday. It turns out that the animal was from some foreign land.
  • We have a new girl in the class. She is the girl from my martial arts class.
• We put ‘the’ to use when in a sentence, the supporting adjective, phrase or clause tries to restrict the identity of the noun.
  • The girl from my college scored the highest in her SATs.
  • I am grateful for the advice that you gave.
  • Thank you for inviting me to the party tonight.

• To emphasize on the uniqueness of a thing or place or person, we use ‘the’.
  • The Law of Inertia is Newton’s first law.
  • The Taj Mahal is one among the seven wonders of the world
  • The United States of America is a beautiful country

Rule #3

Everything general among all.

• When we talk about a noun that is general or common irrespective of its count or plurality, we use no article (definite or indefinite) to address it.
  • Butterflies are beautiful insects (all butterflies are beautiful)
  • She kept asking me for advice. (this can be any advice in general. )
  • I love ice creams and chocolates ( I love all ice creams and chocolates)