• Exciting news! With our new Ad-Free Premium Subscription you can enjoy a distraction-free browsing experience while supporting our site's growth. Without ads, you have less distractions and enjoy faster page load times. Upgrade is optional. Find out more here, and enjoy ad-free learning with us!

[Grammar] Articles

Status
Not open for further replies.

LiudmilaU

New member
Joined
Nov 6, 2012
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Ukrainian
Home Country
Ukraine
Current Location
Ukraine
Hello.

I would like to ask you if it is possible to learn and to understand the usage of a/an, the and no article once and for all.

Are there any comfortable tables with examples? Could please recommend some really good resources.

And my question.

Is it possible to say A MAIN PROBLEM IS or only THE MAIN PROBLEM Is?

If it is, what's the difference in meaning?

And what's the correct variant: to pay more than A minimum or to pay more than THE minimum?

In AN emergency or in emergency?

Thank you in advance.
 

nelson13

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Zhuang
Home Country
Bangladesh
Current Location
Japan
Hello.

I would like to ask you if it is possible to learn and to understand the usage of a/an, the and no article once and for all.

Are there any comfortable tables with examples? Could please recommend some really good resources.

And my question.

Is it possible to say A MAIN PROBLEM IS or only THE MAIN PROBLEM Is?

If it is, what's the difference in meaning?

And what's the correct variant: to pay more than A minimum or to pay more than THE minimum?

In AN emergency or in emergency?

Thank you in advance.
As a non-native English speaker, I can assure you, in reply to the red part, that the answer is an unequivocal no. If there were such a way, everyone in the world would be proficient in the language.
 

Chicken Sandwich

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Netherlands
I would like to ask you if it is possible to learn and to understand the usage of a/an, the and no article once and for all.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem. Moreover, there are always going to be exceptions. For example, a speaker of American English would write, 'Seventeen people were injured and taken to the hospital'. On the other hand, a speaker of British English would probably leave out the article. The meaning is the same.
 

Gillnetter

Key Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Hello.

I would like to ask you if it is possible to learn and to understand the usage of a/an, the and no article once and for all. Given enough time, at least an average intelligence, and dedication, most things are possible.

Are there any comfortable tables with examples? Could please recommend some really good resources. "Comfortable" is incorrect here. To me a comfortable table is a piece of furniture which is mainly used to place food for eating. You should use "easy" or "understandable".

And my question.

Is it possible to say A MAIN PROBLEM IS or only THE MAIN PROBLEM Is?
There are many problems with the water systems in New Jersey. A main problem is the depth of the wells. The main problem is the lack of pressure.

A = one of many
The = the only one

Go and see Mr. Jones. He has a house on the hill (there are 14 houses on the hill and Mr. Jones owns one).
Go and see Mr. Jones. He has the house on the hill (there is only one house on the hill and Mr. Jones owns that house).


If it is, what's the difference in meaning?

And what's the correct variant: to pay more than A minimum or to pay more than THE minimum?
Employ the same reasoning here. "A" minimum could refer to any minimum. "The" minimum refers to a minimum which most people understand (similar to the only house on the hill). If you work for me, I will pay you a minimum wage (but you still don't know how much that is). If you work for me, I will pay you the minimum wage (that is established by law or custom as being a certain amount).

In AN emergency or in emergency?
In the US either form is acceptable. This is where problems in understanding the usage of articles usually confuses people (including me). I went to college, but I went to a university. I had to go to a hospital, but in BrE one can go to hospital.

Thank you in advance.
Gil
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I just read an article in my newspaper and the byline said "Tom Ridge, the first Director of Homeland Security, is the former Governor of Pennsylvania."

I would have said "a" former governor. There is only one "first" director, but there are numerous former governors.

So, even native speakers can differ.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top