Articles are function words, which are placed before nouns and play a restrictive role on nouns.
The article can be said to be the symbol of nouns, without which it cannot exist independently.
Classification of articles
Articles can be divided into three types: indefinite article "a, an", definite article "the" and zero article. Zero articles means not using articles.
Situation.
The indefinite article indicates general reference, while the definite article indicates specific reference.
Usage of indefinite article-1
The indefinite article has two forms: "a" and "an". Words beginning with consonants are preceded by "a" and vowels by "an".
Before the first word. Judging whether a word begins with a vowel or a consonant is based on pronunciation rather than
According to the letter.
1. is used before the singular form of a countable noun, meaning "one"
There is a tiger in the zoo.
There is a tiger in the zoo.
2. Represents a kind of person and thing.
Tigers can be dangerous.
Tigers can be dangerous.
3. Express the meaning of "one"
A gentleman wants to see you.
A gentleman wants to see you.
Express the meaning of "same"
They are almost the same age.
They are almost the same age.
These two shirts are about the same size.
These two shirts are about the same size.
Express the meaning of "every"
We go swimming four times a week.
We go swimming four times a week.
6. Used as a predicative before singular countable nouns to indicate identity and occupation.
My mother is a teacher.
My mother is a teacher.
7. The person or thing mentioned for the first time did not specify which one.
Once upon a time, there was an old king who had a very beautiful daughter.
Once upon a time, there was an old king who had a very beautiful daughter.
8. In British English, polysyllabic words starting with "h" can be preceded by "an" if the first syllable is not stressed.
There is a hotel near here.
There is a hotel near here.
9. In such an equivalent sentence pattern.
He is quite a good actor.
He is quite a good actor.
Don't be in such a hurry
Don't be in such a hurry
10. exclamatory sentence what ...
What a beautiful girl she is!
What a beautiful girl she is!
Usage of indefinite articles -2
Used in some phrases expressing quantity:
Lots and lots
One of a pair.
many
A dozen is a dozen (but a dozen can also be used)
Lots and lots
Usage of definite article-1
1. Used of someone or something.
This is the house where Lu Xun once lived.
This is the house where Lu Xun once lived.
Used to refer to the person or thing clearly pointed out by both sides of the conversation.
Please open the door.
Please open the door.
3. Used to retell the person or thing mentioned above (use "a or an" for the first time and "the" for the second time)
There once lived a lion in the forest. Every day, lions let small animals.
Looking for food for him.
Once upon a time, there lived a lion in the forest. Every day the lion asks the small animals to find food for him.
4. Used before ordinal numbers and superlative adjectives.
January is the first month of the year.
January is the first month of the year.
Shanghai is the largest city in China.
Shanghai is the largest city in China.
5. Represents something unique in the universe.
Sun, Sun and Moon
Earth, sky, sky
World world
6. Refers to proper nouns composed of common nouns.
West Lake West Lake Great Wall Great Wall
United States, United States and United Nations
Usage of definite article -2
7. Indicate direction and orientation
East is in the east and west is in the west.
The front is the front and the back is the back.
At the bottom at the bottom at the top.
Right is right, left is left.
8. In front of geographical terms such as oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains, straits and bays.
Pacific, Pacific, Yellow River and Yellow River
Taishan Tianshan Taiwan Province Strait Taiwan Province Strait
9. Before the plural surname, it means a family.
The Becks came to see me yesterday.
The Becks came to see me yesterday.
10. Used with some adjectives to nominalize adjectives and indicate a class of people or things.
Poor, rich, rich
Sick patients and wounded
Okay, okay, beautiful, beautiful.
1 1. Used before nouns to indicate class and political party.
Working class, working class
The Communist Party of China (CPC) China * * * Production Party.
Used in very emphasized sentences.
This is just the book I want.
This is the book I want.
13. In the comparative sentence of more, the more
The more you drink, the more you like it.
The more you drink, the more you like it.
14. This means that when playing an instrument, there should be one in front of it.
play the piano
play the violin
15. Some fixed expressions
In the morning in the morning in the afternoon in the afternoon.
Go to the cinema to watch movies in the evening.
Go to the theatre. Go to the theatre all year round.
On the way to ... ...
16. Singular countable nouns can indicate a class of people or things.
A horse is a useful animal.
A horse is a useful animal.
Note: There are two ways to write such a sentence.
A horse is a useful animal.
Horses are useful animals.
Usage of zero article
1. Proper nouns generally have no articles.
China China Europe Europe.
Ray Feng Lei von William Shakespeare William Shakespeare
Generally, there is no article before the month, day and festival.
Sunday in January, Sunday in January
Christmas Christmas Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Thanksgiving
National Day National Day Labor Day
Comparison: ... on a Sunday morning.
On a Sunday morning ...)
3. Generally, no articles are added before three meals and four seasons.
I have lunch at school.
I have lunch at school.
Summer is the best season for swimming.
Summer is a good season for swimming.
I had a big lunch yesterday.
I had a big lunch yesterday. (indicating a certain one)
The dinner provided by Mr. Smith is very good.
The dinner hosted by Mr. Smith was really delicious. (express special meaning)
I will never forget the summer we spent in Hawaii.
I will never forget the summer we spent together in Hawaii.
(express special meaning)
Play ball games
Play basketball, play volleyball, play volleyball.
Playing football is to play football.
5. There is no specific material noun.
This cart is made of wood.
This cart is made of wood.
The wood outside is all wet.
All the wood outside is wet. (express special meaning)
6. Unspecified uncountable abstract nouns
Time is precious.
Time is precious.
Contrast: The time of the play is 1990s.
The background of this play is the 1990s. (express special meaning)
7. There is no specific countable noun after the plural form.
I like tomatoes.
I like tomatoes.
8. Mountain peak
Mount Qomolangma
9. fixed phrases
Go to school, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep.
Go by train or by boat.
Eat in the hospital.
Studying at school, studying at school.
Noon night noon night
Midnight. Midnight in town.
10. Nouns without articles in independent structures
A boy came in with a book in his hand.
A boy came in with a book in his hand.
1 1. generally refers to human beings.
We all die.
People are bound to die.
12. In the sentence pattern of "class++noun class++noun"
What kind of flower is this?
What kind of flower is this?
I like this kind of book.
I like this kind of book.
13. Words referring to positions and titles, such as king, captain, president, chairman, etc.
He is the captain of this team.
He is the captain of this team.
As the chairman of the Committee, I declare the meeting open.
As the chairman of the Committee, I declare the meeting open.
The collocation of goods and three meals
When the term three meals is used alone, there is generally no article in front.
In addition to adding adjectives before the nouns of three meals:
We have breakfast at eight o'clock.
We have breakfast at 8 o'clock.
He gave us a hearty breakfast.
He treated us to a hearty breakfast.
I was invited to dinner.
They invited me to dinner.
I was invited to a dinner to welcome the new ambassador.
I was invited to a banquet to welcome the new ambassador.
Scots have porridge for breakfast.
Scots have porridge for breakfast.
The wedding breakfast was held at her father's house.
The wedding brunch was held at her father's house.
Preposition phrases and articles
One.
Eat at the table.
It's beside the table.
Study at a desk.
It's beside the table.
At school is at school.
At school. At school.
Class is class.
In class, in class.
In bed
In bed. In bed.
Going to jail is going to jail.
Prison is prison.
be hospitalized
In the hospital (on business) in the hospital
Go to school. Go to school.
Go to school (on business)
Go to bed.
Go to bed.
Go to the hospital
Go to the hospital. Go to the hospital.
Two.
happen
Replace this place
Substitution
In the place of ... ...
Just in case.
In the case of ... ...
There is no doubt about it.
It's absolutely impossible that something goes wrong.
Phrases that usually use indefinite articles
After a while.
Suddenly, suddenly
under normal conditions
So, as a result,
In fact,
In general
To be at a loss is to be at a loss.
hurried
to some extent
to sum up in a word
I'm sorry ...
End ... end. ...
end
come to a conclusion
Have a good time.
Take a break, take a break.
catch cold
Talk to ... ...
Have an eye for
Make a living
Make a fire. Make a fire.
deceive
go for a walk