Comparison of the Definite Article and of the Indefinite Article

Determination of nouns in English language is realized by using “the definite article“ and “the indefinite article“.

In actual usage, nouns appear in noun phrases, and the kind of reference such a noun phrase has depends on the accompanying determiner. We distinguish three classes of determiners, set up on the basis of their position in the noun phrase in relation to each other:
 Central determiners (eg: the, a, this)
 Predeterminers (eg: half, all, double, as in all the people)
 Postdeterminers (eg: seven, many, few, as in the many passengers)

The article as auxiliary word without proper poignant meaning serves for expression of the opposite of the general aspect (the indefinite article) and of the concrete aspect (the definite article). It is situated before noun, or before its attribute, eg: a little dog, the tower, and before attribute we do not use the article, eg: my life, this ribbon etc. The definite and indefinite articles are the commonest central determiners and their distribution is dependent upon the class of the accompanying noun. The table: The system of articles in English is summed up in the following figure:

Indefinite
Article Definite
Article

Singular count
a
the
Plural count and non-count
0
the

 The indefinite article: articulates some person or object into some group of the same aspects, eg: a table, not a chair. It can be regarded as an unstressed numeral “one”: of one or two pounds = a pound or two. It also developed from the numeral “one“ /the same like german “ein”/, by reduction from full pronunciation to unstressed “an” /fn/, / n/: Eg: an apple / n pl/, an even number /fn i:vn nambf/, a school /f sku:l/, a big tree /f big tri:/.
We do not use the indefinite article in plural:
Sing: a sincere word Pl: sincere words
a lovely child lovely children
Sometimes we translate the indefinite article into Slovak language by words: jeden,
akýsi, nejaký, bud mostly we do not translate it.

Some words start with a vowel letter but begin with a consonant sound, so we use
“a” before these words: a university /f ju:nivfsiti/, a usurer /f ju../
Silent letter “h” we use “an” before it: an hour, an honest child, an hour, an heir.

 The definite article:
Is pointing concrete aspect, or aspects from group of the same aspects: The boy
(certain boy), the boys. This aspect is often the representative of certain group of
aspects. The Definite article developed (like in German language der, die, das)
from the Demonstrative Pronoun “that”, by weakening of the pronunciation in the
stressed form. Its written form “the” has these pronunciations: /Tf/ before the word
beginning with consonant and /Ti:/ before word beginning with vowel and before
nouns that we want to point out.

1) A/an
 We use the indefinite article in two forms:
- “an” before a, e, i, o, u, silent h eg: an upcoming, an interview
- “a” before all consonants eg: a debut, a video
[Friendship 6/2000, page 14]
The
 We use the definite article in one form but in different pronunciation:
- the /Ti:/ before a, e, i, o, u, silent h eg: the elegance, the orders
- the /Tf/ before all consonants eg: the castle, the throne
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 11]

2) A/an
 We use the indefinite article before nouns that we have not yet mentioned.
Eg: I received a letter from one of my… [Friendship 4-5/1999, page 25]
Virginia lawmakers passed a law. [Friendship 9-10/2000, page 6]
This is a wilderness park in the Yukon.[Friendship 6/2000, page 11]
The
 We use the definite article before nouns that we have already mentioned.
Eg: The next letter was from… [Friendship 4-5/1999, page 25]
The law was declaring slaves as property.[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 6]
The park itself has a Natural History Museum.[Friendship 6/2000, page 11]

3) A/an
 The indefinite article has its numerical meaning mostly before nouns, marking time, measure, weight or prize:
Eg: Rye`s maritime history goes back to the time over a thousand years ago. [Friendship 6/1999, page 17]
Winsdor is a small town just to the west of London.
[Friendship 6/2000, page 1]
A year in a day in Košice. [Friendship 6/2000, page 12]
They were running along about eighty miles an hour.

[Friendship 4-5/1999, page 8]
…there is a 2% reduction in heart attacks.
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 21]
The
 We use the definite article in reading the dates and in reading the Ordinal Numerals:
Eg: 13th July … the thirteenth of July
19th century…the nineteenth century
It was the first law…
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 6]

4) A/an
 We use the indefinite article before countable nouns in the singular, we do not use the indefinite article in plural:
Eg: A boy - boys
He is a victim of a brutal war between Chu`s Asian crime family and…
There were many victims during the time of slavery.
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 6, 25]
 You cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/an):
Eg: But if you really posted a letter …
...the program I was working with in Slovakia came to an end…
[Friendship 4-5/1998, pages: 1, 9]
The
 We use the definite article in singular, but also in plural:
Eg: Sing: Yesterday I gave you the toy I liked best of all.
Plur: Yesterday I gave you the toys I liked best of all.
 And also we use it with countables and uncountables in the singular and plural:
Eg: In the 13th century…
During the four centuries that span…
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 11]

5) A/an
 We use the indefinite article before countable nouns after there is, there was, there will be:
Eg: In 1879 there was only a small store,…
Many people believe there is a special code …
[Friendship 4-5/1999, page 24]

6) A/an
 We do not use the indefinite article before uncountable nouns:
Water, milk, steel, snow, love, cleverness
Eg: …as boys throwing water or perfume… [Friendship 8/2000, page 10]
 You cannot normally use the indefinite article with uncountable nouns, but we can often use “a…of…”:
Eg: …a better understanding of why countries have…
[Friendship 6/2000, page 14]
Basically: a love of nature equals love of man and awareness of God.
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 34]
…a team of scientists has taken a number of sharks and genetically…
[Friendship 3/1999, page 13]
The
 We use the definite article in phrase “the…of“:
Eg: Many people think this is the real strength of Wordsworth`s poetry…
It marked the start of a special time for Wordsworth…
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 34]
As one passes through the city of Orlando to the south, …
[Friendship 4-5/1999, page 19]

7) A/an
 Using the indefinite article with countable nouns:
- Example of a physical or concrete thing:
Countable nouns: Uncountable nouns:
I`m looking for a job. I`m looking for work.
What a beautiful view! What beautiful scenery!
- Instance of a substance or an idea:
Countable nouns: Uncountable nouns:
I had a stone in my shoe. The statue was made of stone.
The
 We use the definite article with a plural or uncountable noun in talking about specific things of people:
Eg: She`s an expert on Swedish geology.
Specific thing: She`s an expert on the geology of Sweden. Uncountable: Perhaps, the loneliness of such a life is too a high price to pay.
…wheter cholesterol played any role in causing the plague…
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 21, 23]
Even when Americans write to Europeans about the weather…
[Friendship 8/1999, page 11]

7) A/an
 We use the indefinite article in these word combination, fixed idioms and
connections:
to be in a hurry, to be at a loss, to be in a rage, to have a headache, to have a toothache, in a loud voice, in a whisper, it´s a pity, to have a rest
The
 We use the definite article in these word combinations, fixed idioms and
connections: for the moment, to tell the truth, nothing of the kind, at the top of,
in the morning/afternoon/evening, on the other hand, on the left, what`s the time,
to go to the theatre, to play the piano, to pass the time etc.
Eg: …at the foot of the cliffs rather than at the top of them.

[Friendship 9-10/2000, page1]
Caroline walked into the house and Ted arrived at six in the morning.
On the other hand there are hurricanes and 80-100 days of thunderstorms…
[Friendship 4-5/1999, pages 4, 19]
 We use the definite article before only, very, same, following, last, next, previous:
Eg: It was also the only time our parents would let us sit outside…
For the last ten years we`ve had House music.
[Friendship 8/1999, pages 11, 14]
The following are some of the countries and lands that have …
[Friendship 7/2000, page 9]
Over the next six or seven years soldiers of the Roman Army …
Americans use less words to convey the same meaning…
[Friendship 7/1999, pages 10, 18]

8) A/an
 We use the indefinite article before terms few, great (good), many (with countable nouns) and little, great, (good) deal (with uncountable nouns):
Eg: … for the whole family normally takes a few days of planning…
By that time there is a great smell in whole house.
[Friendship 3/1999, page 10]
South of all this, and happily a little freer of tourists,…
[Friendship 3/1999, page 12]
We`ve only a little time.
[Friendship 4-5/1999, page 4]

9) A/an
 We use the indefinite article after terms what, such (in exclamating sentences), quite, rather, too, half, many, how:
Eg: What a beautiful view!
…and in such a way that for an instant… The article stands after attribute!
We didn`t speak for quite a few years. [Friendship 4-5/1999, page 29]
The
 We use the definite article after half, both, all, quite, double etc.
Eg: …and add that to double the kilogram value…
[Friendship 8/1999, page 11]

10) A/an
 We use the indefinite article before somebody`s job:
Eg: An outbreak of the Black Death when, as a doctor, he treated…
[Friendship 4-5/1999, page 24]
A writer`s problem does not change. [Friendship 3/1999, page 3]
As a songwriter, she and her partner Tim Mosley…
[Friendship 6/2000, page 14]
The
 We use the definite article before jobs:
Eg: And as for the doctors, twenty times…
[Friendship 9-10/1999, page 5]

11) A/an
 We use an before abbreviations said as individual letters that begin with A, E, F, H, I, L, M, A, O, R, S or X:
Eg: an MP /fn em pi:/ an FBI /fn ef bi: ai/
an IOU /fn ai fu ju:/
 But some abbreviations are said as words:
Eg: a NATO /f neitfu/ a FIFA / f fi:ff /
The
 We use the before abbreviations said as individual letters:
Eg: the US /Tf ju: es/ the UK /Tf ju: kei/
the MP`s /Ti: em pi:s/

12) A/an
 We use the indefinite article with a singular noun when we describe somebody of something or to say what type of thing somebody or something is:
Eg: I suppose everyone who has studied English as a second language…
Prague`s central position in Europe has made it a trading capital…
[Friendship 3/1999, pages 8, 12]
Local people call it “Paddy`s Wigwam“-“Paddy“ being a typical name…
[Friendship 8/1999, page 3]
The
 We use the definite article in the general meaning:
- before singular of nouns, that are pointing out the representative of clan, type or of group of aspects:
Eg: The “@” – at-sign-, seems to be everywhere these days. But only ten years ago, the Internet has taken over advertising…
[Friendship 1-2/1999, page 10]
The bald eagle has been the national bird of the U.S.

since 1782.
[Friendship 7/1999, page 6]
- before plural of Proper nouns (members of one family, or of nation):
Eg: We had an opportunity to observe the Japanese way of life.
[Friendship 8/2000, page 7]
Caesar wrote that the Celts „dye themselves with blue woad…
[Friendship 7/2000, page 7]
The castle was never tested against the French…
[Friendship 8/1999, page 17]

13) A/an
 We use the indefinite article to change the meaning: - the indefinite article shows that fish is used in the singular. If it is without the indefinite article it would be plural.
Eg: But after forty days without a fish the boy… -one fish
[Friendship 3/1999, page 4]
You are such a sloth. [Friendship 4-5/1998, page 24]
The
 We use the definite article to change the meaning:
Eg: The man is sitting in the front of the car. The man is sitting in front of the car. 14) A/an
 We use the indefinite article to describe a particular instance:
Eg: She dreamt of a future where she could spend more time painting.
The
 We use the definite article when we know that there is only one of a particular thing:
Eg: What are your plans for the future?
 The others particular things:
the Sun/sun the Moon the Earth the North Pole
the world the sky the travel industry
Eg: Clearing in the sky. He believed that the universe is not mechanical and unfeeling…
[Friendship 9-10/2000, pages 4, 34]
Malta-a small island situated in the middle of the Meditteranean…
[Friendship 4-5/1999, page 22]

15) The
 We use the definite article with the names of:
- seas, oceans, rivers, mountain chains
Eg: The line of cliffs known as the Seven Sisters lies between…
…standing on a main road through the Lake District.

[Friendship 9-10/2000, pages 1, 34]
Its western shores are washed by the Atlantic Ocean.
[Friendship 9-10/1999, page 8]
- the 4 cardinal points
Eg: In many states across the South, parks, streets, statues…
[Friendship 9-10/2000, page 6]
To the north, it shares borders with Namibia, Bostwana and Zimbabwe.
[Friendship 9-10/1999, page 8]
- channels and canals, deserts, ships
Eg: The old Grand Union Canal passes near the town.
[Friendship 7/2000, page 18]
…as Bruce Ismay stayed before sailing on the Titanic.
[Friendship 7/1999, page 8]
- the names of organizations, monuments
Eg: The most interesting is the Slovak National Museum and its…
…by assembled delegates of the Continental Congress…
The Severn Valley Railway, like other railways in Britain,…
[Friendship 9-10/2000, pages 13, 24]
- the titles of unique people:
Eg: Thomas Jefferson became the American president in 1801.
…at which the principal guest was the Prince of Wales.
[Friendship 9-10/2000, pages 11, 13]
…the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon.
[Friendship 8/1999, page 18]
 We use the definite article with the adjectives:
- with the superlative:
Eg: The best known frontier of the entire Foman Empire.
[Friendship 7/1999, page 18]
The most recent and largest investment is the multi-million pound…
…and ramparts represent one of the last great flowerings…
Perhaps the handsomest American and a symbol of adventure…
He had a state funeral, maybe the greatest in Colorado history.
[Friendship 9-10/2000, pages 11, 12]
Not only is it one of the smallest republics in Europe, it is also…
[Friendship 4-5/1999, page 22]
- to talk about group of people: the + adjective
Eg: the young, the rich, the unemployed, the injured…
The ordinary things signed by the famous can become very valuable.
The Coloureds inhabit the western cape.
The natives speak in both the official languages, English and Afrikaans.
[Friendship 9-10/1999, pages 6, 8]
 We use the definite article in comprarisons:
Eg: The less you know about it the worse for you.
 We use the definite article in reference to parts of the body (instead of my, her):
Eg: The fat toe on one side of the foot is called the big toe. The biggest false body part friend is the hand.
They use the word hand when they are talking about the whole arm.
[Friendship 9-10/1999, page 2].

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Articles - Morphology