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If English is a second language for your child/student, they may find the use of articles quite confusing. While there are general rules to remember for the usage of articles, these also come with a few exceptions. If you wish to fully understand the use of articles, you are at the right place. Articles are an important part of any sentence. These are also part of English language studies at different levels, including the CBSE Class 6 English grammar curriculum. We have compiled a comprehensive list of topics for school students that will help them learn Class 6 English grammar, including the proper use of articles.
In the following sections, we will discuss articles for Class 6 English grammar, how to choose the correct article in a sentence, and more. Want to learn all this in a LIVE class? BOOK a FREE class NOW!
What Are Articles?
The English language has just three articles- ‘a’, ‘an,’ and ‘the’. These articles are used before nouns (not every noun) to modify them in certain situations. They tell the reader whether that noun (object, place, person, or thing) is specific or general.
Example
The girl, who comes to college in an auto-rickshaw, is a dancer.
This sentence demonstrates the use of all three articles. Here, the use of the word ‘the’ tells the reader that the writer is talking about a specific girl. ‘An’ auto rickshaw means it can be any auto rickshaw, while ‘a’ dancer suggests it is a general category or profession.
Types Of Articles
There are two types of articles - definite (the) or indefinite (a, an).
Definite article: ‘The’ is the only definite article in the English language. It is used to specify a thing, object, place, or person. As you already know, it is the most commonly used word in the English language. ‘The’ is used when the identity of the noun has been introduced in a previous sentence.
Example
I met a girl with a dog yesterday. The dog was adorable. (a specific dog is being talked about; the reader has already been introduced to the dog.)
The definite article can be used before singular, plural, or uncountable nouns. The following examples will help you learn articles for class 6.
Examples
The Moon
The trees
The boy
The park
It may be separated from the noun by one or more other words.
Examples
The parked car
The dead bug
Indefinite article: ‘A’ and ‘an’ are indefinite articles used in English. An indefinite article is used for a noun that is non-specific or general, meaning that it could be any member of a certain group. In the previously mentioned example, the girl is ‘a dancer.’ This means that ‘dancer’ is a noun signifying a general group, and the speaker is talking about a member of that group. An indefinite article will be used when the noun is being introduced.
Example
A man with a guitar came to my shop today. The guitar was broken.
In this sentence, ‘man’ and ‘guitar’ are used with indefinite articles (a) in the first sentence, while ‘the’ is used for the guitar in the second as it has already been introduced. The writer is talking about a specific guitar. ‘An’ is used before nouns that start with vowels. The following examples will help explain the use of articles for Class 6 students.
Examples
A boat
A house
A cow
An idea
An omelette
Rules For Usage
To remember how to use the correct articles, you can memorize some general guidelines. While there are some common rules that Class 6 English students can apply for the correct use of articles, students must also be aware of exceptions. The following sections explain articles, English grammar usage, and more.
Using A Definite Article
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An indefinite article should be before a noun that denotes a specific thing, person, or place. It can be singular or plural.
Examples
This is the girl I was talking about.
The dogs in my colony are very noisy.
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Remember to use ‘the’ before common nouns that denote unique things, or those that are universally one-of-a-kind.
Examples
The moon is a satellite.
The sky looks beautiful tonight.
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If the reader/listener knows the subject, use ‘the’. The definite article is used in sentences or clauses where you define/identify a particular object or person.
Examples
The medicines have been delivered.
There’s a shop in the new mall. The shop sells only vegan produce.
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‘The’ is used with adjectives to generalize or denote an entire class or group of people.
Examples
The rich eat at fancy restaurants.
The elderly are sometimes neglected.
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Use ‘the’ where geographical points are being described.
Examples
The South Pole
It is cooler in the North
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‘The’ is used before geographical nouns. These include oceans, countries, island groups, canals, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, and areas.
Examples
Not many people have crossed the English Channel.
Mt Everest is located in the Himalayas.
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Use ‘the’ with superlative degrees of an adjective and ordinal numbers.
Examples
You are the best student in my class.
This is the cheapest book I could find.
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‘The’ is used before names of famous buildings, newspapers, holy books, historical events, newspapers, ships.
Examples
The Ramayana is a Sanskrit epic.
The Titanic sank after it collided with an iceberg.
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Use ‘the’ with clauses that start with ‘only’.
Examples
I am the only girl in my family.
February is the only month when these flowers bloom.
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Use ‘the’ before dates of months, directions, musical instruments, body parts, political parties, etc.
Examples
The Democratic Party was founded in 1928.
I leave for my hometown on the 10th of March.
Dad loves to play the harmonica.
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‘The’ is used before proper nouns, material nouns, or abstract nouns to use them like common nouns.
Examples
Samir is the Shakespeare of our reading club.
When Not To Use A Definite Article:
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Never use ‘the’ before country names, unless they include the words ‘states’, ‘kingdom’, or ‘republic,’ or are in plural.
Examples
My uncle lives in the United States.
I am going to visit the Netherlands.
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Don’t use ‘the’ for uncountable nouns.
Examples
Salt is a common household ingredient.
All members of my family love tea.
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Don’t use ‘the’ with names of people, languages, shops, or meals.
Examples
I am going to Tiffany’s today.
I like to have dinner early.
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Don’t use ‘the’ with names of single mountains, hills, lakes, or islands.
Examples
Lake Nakki
Mt Everest
To study CBSE class 6 English grammar in detail, students can use our online resources. The following section discusses the use of indefinite articles at length.
When To Use Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles are used to describe nouns in general, or when they are just being introduced. You will find resources on articles for Class 6 online that list out general rules. Also, ensure you are aware of when not to use articles in English grammar. These points will help you choose the correct indefinite article for a specific sentence or clause.
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Use an indefinite article when you refer to something for the first time. It can be used to introduce a specific member of a class/group/profession.
Examples
There is a boy who lives down the street.
My aunt is a baker.
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Use ‘a’ before a consonant word or a vowel that has a consonant sound.
Examples
This is a storybook.
There is a university near my house.
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Use ‘an’ before words that begin with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), or any consonant with a vowel sound.
Examples
Mother boiled an egg.
Teaching is an honorable profession.
My father holds an M.Sc. degree.
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Use ‘a’ or ‘an’ to refer to numbers.
Examples
I gave my brother a hundred rupees (in place of one hundred rupees).
My father says I am one in a million.
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Use an indefinite article before a descriptive adjective.
Examples
This is a brilliant book.
Raju is a smart boy.
When Not To Use Indefinite Articles
While the general guidelines tell you when to use articles, they come with exceptions. Students should know when indefinite articles should not be used. Keep the following points in mind while studying articles for Class 6 English grammar.
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Do not use ‘a’ or ‘an’ referring to a plural noun.
Examples
There are squirrels in the garden.
My father always buys oranges.
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When uncountable nouns are being talked about.
Examples
We do not eat rice.
Water is scarce in our state.
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Do not use any articles before proper nouns such as the names of people or places.
Examples
Anu is my best friend.
My sister’s name is Seema.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are articles in the English language?
There are three articles used in English - ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’. These are used to denote whether a noun is general or specific.
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How do I use articles?
The general rule for the use of articles is to use ‘the’ when you refer to a specific thing, place, or person, or when the identity of the noun is known. ‘A’ and ‘an’ are used for a noun that is non-specific or being introduced.
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What is an example of definite articles?
‘The’ is the only definite article used in the English language. Examples: The girl I met today lives in the biggest house on the street.
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When should I not use articles?
Don’t use articles ‘a’ and ‘the’ before uncountable nouns, plural nouns, or names of places or people.
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When is the indefinite article ‘an’ not used before a vowel?
The indefinite article ‘a’ is used instead of ‘an’ before a vowel that has a consonant sound. For example, a university.
Summary
Articles are the words – a, an, and the – that combine with a noun to indicate whether it is specific or general. There are two types of articles in English, namely definite (the), and indefinite (a, an). Indefinite articles are used before singular nouns. The article ‘a comes before words that start with a consonant (or a vowel that sounds like a consonant). ‘An’ is used before words that start with a vowel or a consonant that has a vowel sound.
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