Tag: articles

Questions Related to articles

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:


The laptops are provided to employees of the company.

proper use of articles articles english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. A laptops are provided to employees of the company.

  3. An laptops are provided to employees of the company.

  4. Laptops are provided to employees of the company.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
'An/A' is used as an indefinite article for a thing or person when the reader doesn't know which one we are referring to out of many nouns. It states the random nature of the subject. We use A/An with a singular countable noun.
We use 'A' with words starting with a consonant and 'An' with words starting with a vowel respectively.
'The' is used as a definite article for a thing or person when the reader knows which one we are exactly referring to. It states the specific nature of the subject.
By reading all the options. we see Option B and C are grammatically incorrect. We don't use articles in front of names. Hence the given sentence requires correction and option D is correct.

Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
A demonstration is an act of showing by giving proof or ______ evidence.

proper use of articles articles english

  1. a

  2. an

  3. the

  4. no article

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
Articles are part of speech, used to indicate nouns and to specify their application. Definite articles (the) limit the meaning of a noun to one particular  thing. Indefinite articles (a, an) are used when referring to a noun in a general sense 
The word  'evidence' is an uncountable noun. Sentences that refer to plurals or uncountable nouns do not require any article.
Thus, the correct answer is Option D and the other options are incorrect.


Fill in the blanks with the correct or no article(s):
_____ actor won _____ national award for his performance. (specific actor and specific award)

proper use of articles articles english

  1. The ; a

  2. The ; the

  3. An ; a

  4. An ; no article

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Since in the question it is already mentioned that we are referring to a specific actor and a specific award, we have to use the definite article 'the' in both the blanks as it refers to, or introduces a particular and specific noun. Hence option B is the correct answer.

Option A is incorrect because as already mentioned, it is imperative that we use the definite article in both blanks, however, 'a' is an indefinite article thus making it incorrect.
Options C and D are incorrect because it includes the indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' that is used before singular nonspecific nouns. Since the nouns in question (actor and national award) are specific, using either of these options would be grammatically incorrect.

Fill in the blank with the correct or no article with the help of the hint in the bracket:
Robert owns _____ yellow and _____ blue bird. (any bird)

proper use of articles articles english

  1. a; a

  2. the; the

  3. a; no article

  4. a; the

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

If two nouns refer to the same person or thing, the article is used before the first noun only. But if the nouns refer to different persons or things, the article is used before each noun. SInce in the given statement, both the nouns yellow and blue refer to one bird the article will be used before the first noun only and no article will be used before the second. Also, the indefinite article 'a' should be used whenever noun is unspecific. Therefore, Option C is the correct answer. Since the nouns are not used to refer the two different birds, the indefinite article 'a' cannot be used before the second noun. Therefore, Option A is incorrect. 'The' cannot be used in when the nouns are being used in general, it is used with specified nouns only. Therefore, Option B and D are incorrect.

Fill in the blanks with the correct or no article:
I went to __ market to buy __ white shirt. (specific market and shirt)

proper use of articles articles english

  1. a; a

  2. the; the

  3. the; no article

  4. no article; the

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The three articles in English are 'a', 'an', and 'the'. The rule is if the nouns refer to different things or persons, the article is used before each noun. 

Article 'the' is used while speaking of a particular person or thing. Here, market and shirt are the specific things thus, 'the' should be used. Both the nouns are different hence, 'the' should be used before each noun. 
Thus, option B is the correct answer. 

Fill in the blanks with the correct or no article(s) with the help of the hint in the brackets:
I saw ____ black and ____ gold painting in ____ museum, which was inspiring. (Two different paintings/MET in New York)

proper use of articles articles english

  1. the; a; the

  2. a; an; the

  3. a; the; a

  4. a; a; the

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

As per the rules of use of the indefinite article, the indefinite article is used in its original numerical sense of one i.e. to denote that there is a single unit of anything the indefinite article can be used to replace the use of number 'one'. Here since there are two paintings one black and one gold, the indefinite article 'a' or 'an' should be used before each noun in place of number one to denote a single unit of each.  ‘A’ is used for nouns the sound of which begins with a consonant. Since it is a specific museum, the definite article 'the' should be used before it. Therefore Option D is the correct answer. Since 'the' cannot be used in place of number one, it cannot be used for the paintings and 'a' cannot be used before any specified thing so it cannot be used before the museum in this sentence. Therefore, Option A, C, and D are incorrect.

Fill in the blanks with the correct or no article:
According to me, he is _ better actor than _ producer. (one person)

proper use of articles articles english

  1. the ; a

  2. a ; an

  3. a ; a

  4. the ; no article

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

There are three articles namely 'a', 'an' and 'the'.  'a', 'an' are stated as indefinite articles whereas 'the' is a definite article.


Option A - 'The better actor' is incorrect as the sentence describes the person in general and it is not a definite fact. 'A producer' is correct as the noun is singular. Thus option A is incorrect.
Option B - 'A better actor' is correct as the sentence describes the person in general and is a singular noun. 'An producer' is incorrect as 'producer' has a consonant sound. Thus option B is incorrect.

Option D - 'The better actor' is incorrect as the sentence describes the person in general and it is not a definite fact. We will put 'a' before 'producer' because it is a general fact and is a singular noun. Thus option D is incorrect.
Option C - 'A better actor' is correct as the sentence describes the person in general and is a singular noun.We will put 'a' before 'producer' because it is a general fact and is a singular noun. Thus option C is the correct answer.
'According to me, he is a better actor than a producer.'

Fill in the blank with a suitable article from the options given.
__________ rice is the staple food of South Indians.

proper use of articles articles english

  1. The

  2. A

  3. An

  4. No article

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
'An/A' is used as an indefinite article for a thing or person when the reader doesn't know which one we are referring to out of many nouns. It states the random nature of the subject.
'The' is used as a definite article for a thing or person when the reader knows which one we are exactly referring to. It states the specific nature of the subject. 
Option D is correct as we usually don't use articles in front of names. Option C is incorrect as  'An' is used as the article for words with a vowel sound. Option A is incorrect as we usually don't use definite articles in front of names. Option B is incorrect as 'A rice' sounds illogical and wouldn't provide meaning to the sentence. 

Fill in the blank with a suitable article:
______ bravery is a virtue.

proper use of articles articles english

  1. The

  2. An

  3. A

  4. No article

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
An/A' is used as an indefinite article for a thing or person when the reader doesn't know which one we are referring to out of many nouns. It states the random nature of the subject.
'The' is used as a definite article for a thing or person when the reader knows which one we are exactly referring to. It states the specific nature of the subject. 
Option D is correct as we usually don't use articles in front of an uncountable noun. Option B is incorrect as  'An' is used as the article for words with a vowel sound. Option A is incorrect as using the definite article won't suit the meaning of the sentence. Option C is incorrect as 'A bravery' sounds illogical and wouldn't provide meaning to the sentence. 

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Butterflies are ______ insects.

proper use of articles articles english

  1. a

  2. an

  3. the

  4. no article

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

  1. An/A' is used as an indefinite article for a thing or person when the reader doesn't know which one we are referring to out of many nouns. It states the random nature of the subject.
  2. 'The' is used as a definite article for a thing or person when the reader knows which one we are exactly referring to. It states the specific nature of the subject.
Option D is correct as no article is required to carry out the meaning of the sentence. Option A is incorrect as 'A' as an article doesn't suit the blank as 'a insects' is wrong. Option B is incorrect as 'an insects' is incorrect. 'An' is used with a word having a vowel sound.  'An insect' is grammatically correct. Option C is incorrect as 'The' doesn't suit the meaning of the sentence.