Blog about English
Overview of definite, indefinite and zero articles, and when articles are used in English.
Articles are determiners placed before nouns to indicate whether a noun refers to something specific, non-specific or general.
English has three article forms: the indefinite article (a/an), the definite article (the) and the zero article (no article). Articles help identify whether the speaker is introducing something for the first time, referring to something already known, or talking about people or things in general.
I saw a dog in the park.
Я увидел собаку в парке.
A introduces a singular countable noun that is not yet identified to the listener.
The dog was very friendly.
Собака была очень дружелюбной.
The refers back to the specific dog introduced in the previous sentence.
The children are playing outside.
Дети играют на улице.
The is used because the speaker is referring to specific children.
Children need enough sleep.
Детям нужно достаточно сна.
No article is used because children refers to children in general.
She is an engineer.
Она инженер.
An is used before a singular countable noun describing a profession.
The water in this bottle is cold.
Вода в этой бутылке холодная.
The makes the normally uncountable noun water specific.
Coffee is popular around the world.
Кофе популярен во всём мире.
No article is used when an uncountable noun refers to something in general.
Please close the window.
Пожалуйста, закройте окно.
The refers to a specific window that the listener can identify from the context.
English uses three article forms: a/an, the and the zero article.
The indefinite article (a/an) is used with singular countable nouns. The definite article (the) can be used with singular, plural and uncountable nouns when they are specific. The zero article means no article is used.
I need a pen.
Мне нужна ручка.
A is the indefinite article used with a singular countable noun.
She ate an apple.
Она съела яблоко.
An is the indefinite article used before a vowel sound.
The pen is on the desk.
Ручка лежит на столе.
The is the definite article because a specific pen and desk are meant.
The books on the table are mine.
Книги на столе мои.
The can be used with plural countable nouns when they refer to specific things.
The milk in the fridge has gone bad.
Молоко в холодильнике испортилось.
The can also be used with an uncountable noun when the reference is specific.
Dogs are loyal animals.
Собаки — верные животные.
No article, or zero article, is used with plural nouns when speaking about the class in general.
Water is essential for life.
Вода необходима для жизни.
No article is used with an uncountable noun when referring to it generally.
The water in the glass is dirty.
Вода в стакане грязная.
The makes the uncountable noun water specific.
The choice of article depends on meaning, not simply on the noun itself.
To choose the correct article, consider whether the noun is countable or uncountable, singular or plural, and whether it refers to something specific, previously mentioned or generally true.
I bought a book yesterday.
Я купил книгу вчера.
A presents one non-specific book.
The book is on my desk.
Книга лежит на моём столе.
The is used because the listener can identify which book is meant.
Books can be expensive.
Книги могут быть дорогими.
No article is used because books refers to books in general.
I need water.
Мне нужна вода.
No article is normally used with uncountable water when the reference is general or non-specific.
The water in the bottle is warm.
Вода в бутылке тёплая.
The makes water specific by identifying which water is meant.
She wants to buy a house.
Она хочет купить дом.
A is used because no particular house has been identified.
She wants to buy the house next door.
Она хочет купить соседний дом.
The is used because next door identifies the specific house.
The house needs a new roof.
Дому нужна новая крыша.
Once a specific house is established, the is used for subsequent specific reference.
When using a noun, choose between a/an, the or no article.
Article usage is one of the most important features of English grammar. Even when no article is used, that is still a grammatical choice governed by specific rules.
I saw a bird.
Я увидел птицу.
The singular countable noun bird takes a/an.
The bird was sitting in a tree.
Птица сидела на дереве.
The identifies a specific bird; a introduces a non-specific tree.
Birds build nests.
Птицы строят гнёзда.
No article is used with plural birds when referring to birds in general.
The birds in our garden are noisy.
Птицы в нашем саду шумные.
The identifies the specific birds in our garden.
She bought an umbrella.
Она купила зонт.
An is required before the singular countable noun umbrella.
The umbrella is by the door.
Зонт находится у двери.
The refers to the previously mentioned umbrella.
Milk is good for children.
Молоко полезно для детей.
No article is used because milk is an uncountable noun used generically.
The milk in this cup is still hot.
Молоко в этой чашке всё ещё горячее.
The makes the uncountable noun milk specific.
The same noun may take different articles depending on the context.
For example, "book" may appear as "a book", "the book" or simply "books". The correct choice depends on what the speaker wants to communicate rather than on the noun itself.
I need a book about English grammar.
Мне нужна книга по английской грамматике.
A presents one non-specific book.
The book I bought yesterday is excellent.
Книга, которую я купил вчера, отличная.
The is used because the relative clause identifies the specific book.
Books are useful for learning.
Книги полезны для обучения.
No article is used when books refers to books generally.
I bought a new car last week.
Я купил новую машину на прошлой неделе.
A introduces the car without assuming the listener knows which car.
The car is parked outside.
Машина припаркована снаружи.
The refers to the specific car already introduced.
Cars are expensive to maintain.
Машины дорого обслуживать.
No article is used because cars refers to cars in general.
Coffee helps me wake up in the morning.
Кофе помогает мне проснуться утром.
No article is used when coffee refers to the drink generally.
The coffee you made is delicious.
Кофе, который ты приготовил, очень вкусный.
The makes coffee specific because the relative clause identifies which coffee.