ARTICLES

252. We have three adjectives which are used so commonly that we have put them in a class by themselves. These three little words are a, an and the, and we call them articles. The word article literally means a little joint or limb, and these three little words are so closely connected with the nouns with which they are used that they seem to be a part or joint or limb of the noun itself, and so we have called them articles.

A and an are called the indefinite articles because they point out an object in a very indefinite manner. The is called the definite article for it points out in a more definite way.

We use a before words beginning with a consonant sound, as a man, a tree, a book; and we use an before words beginning with a vowel sound, as an apple, an editor, an orange, an heir. In heir the h is silent, and we say an because the word begins with a vowel sound. A is used before words beginning with u because long u is equivalent in sound to a consonant, for the blending of the sounds of which long u is composed produces the initial sound of y, which is a consonant sound. For example, we say, a university, a useful work, etc., and not an university. Before words beginning with short u, use an, as, an upstart, etc.

In deciding whether to use a or an, watch the initial sound of the word, not the initial letter. If it is a vowel sound use an, if a consonant sound, use a.

Exercise 3

Underscore the correct article in the following sentences:

  1. Bring me an—a apple.
  2. He is a—an able orator.
  3. A—an heir was born to the German King.
  4. He built a—an house for his family.
  5. He is an—a honest man.
  6. He is a—an undertaker.
  7. I had to take a—an upper berth.
  8. He joined a—an union.
  9. It is a—an unique book.
  10. He is a—an unruly member of society.
  11. He told a—an untruth.
  12. He wears a—an uniform.
  13. It is a—an honor to be chosen.

253. When a singular noun is modified by several adjectives, only one of the articles an or a must be used if the noun denotes but one object; but if the noun denotes more than one object the article must be repeated before each noun. For example, I say, A red, white and blue flag. You know I mean but one flag, containing the three colors, red, white and blue. But if I say, A red, a white and a blue flag, you know I mean three flags, one red, one white, and one blue.

Note the use of the article in the following sentences:

The first sentences in each of the above series refers to only one object. The second sentences all refer to two objects.

254. There are some rules concerning the article the that it is well to know because we do not always say what we wish to say, if we do not observe these rules or customs of speech. For example, I say, The editor and publisher of this book is unknown. I have used the article the but once, and I mean that the editor and publisher is one person. But I may say, The editor and the publisher of this book are well known. In this sentence I have used the article the twice, the editor and the publisher, and I mean that the editor and the publisher are two different persons.

So when two or more nouns following each other denote the same person or thing, the article is not repeated, but when the nouns denote different persons or things, the article must be repeated before each noun. Be sure to use the proper form of the verb.

Note the following sentences and underscore the proper verb to complete the meaning:

Sometimes we have two things so closely associated in use that they may be considered as forming a single idea, so that we may use the article before the first one only. For example: