Plain English

by Marian Wharton

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:

• He wears a black and white suit.
• He wears a black and a white suit.
• He sold a red and white cow.
• He sold a red and a white cow.
• He bought a gas and coal stove.
• He bought a gas and a coal stove.

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: