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Latest post Thu, Aug 11 2005 1:57 PM by Anonymous. 4 replies.
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Guest  +  1144 Fri, 20 Jun 03 06:11 PM
usage of articals in english language?
hitchhiker  +  1183 Sat, 21 Jun 03 09:21 PM
Also see our frequently asked questions

English basically has two articles: the (definite article) and a (indefinite).
The only variation is the use of an (instead of a) when nouns start with a vowel.

A bus (indefinite)
An apple (indefinite)

The man ate an apple on a bus (definite,indefinite,indefinite)
Joined on Mon, Nov 18 2002
Richmond, UK
Senior Member 3,552
"They obstinately persisted in their absence." —HGTG
chris  +  1185 Sat, 21 Jun 03 09:27 PM
'A/an' is called the 'indefinite article'. 'The' is called the 'definite article'. 'Some/any' is often used as the pluran of 'a/an'. If you use 'no article', this has a different meaning from all the others. Therefore in English there are four articles.

Articles are used to show whether we are referring to things that are known both to the speaker/writer and to the listener/readed ('definite'), or that are known to them both ('indefinite').

Articles can also show whether you are talking about about things in general or particular things.
Joined on Mon, Apr 7 2003
Malta
Contributing Member 1,105
Guest, 5 yr 17 days ago
Is there a rule regarding repeating articles?

"I saw a church, a house, a bridge, an arch, a car, and a store".

or:

"I saw a church, house, bridge, arch, car, and a store"

Thanks
Anonymous, 3 yr 328 days ago

Hi

as far as i know, the first question is correct "I saw a church, a house, a bridge, an arch, a car, and a store", it is formal and completed

the second one is not consistent in terms of structure

unknown

XING

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