CHAPTER VI

OF ARTICLES

THE Articles are the words "the" and "an" or "a."

The articles always limit nouns, and therefore might be classed as limiting adjectives. But their uses are so peculiar and delicate that it is best to treat them separately.

169. Origin of the Articles.- "The" is a weakened form of the demonstrative pronoun "that." "An" (shortened to "a" before consonant sounds) is a weakened form of the numeral adjective "one," which was formerly written "an.” In general it always implies oneness, but usually in a vague, indefinite sense that does not belong to the numeral adjective" one."

170. 66 'An " or “A.”—The choice between "an" and "a,' which are different forms of the same word, is determined by sound. Before a vowel sound "an" is used; before a consonant sound "a" is used.

For

Caution.-Sound and spelling do not always coincide. example, "one" and "unit" begin with vowels, but the initial sounds are those of the consonants 66 W and "y" in " won and "you;" therefore we say a unit," "such a one." "Honor" begins with a consonant, but the initial sound is that of a vowel "o" in " onset; therefore we say

66

an honor."

Usage is divided as to "a" or an "before words beginning with "h" and accented on the second syllable. We say historical sketch" or

66

a historical sketch," according to taste.

an

EXERCISE 162.

Put the proper form of the article "an" or before each of the following expressions :—

"a"

Article, onion, union, uniform, uninformed reader, universal belief, useful invention, umpire, unfortunate mistake, eulogy, European, hour, honest man, house, humble dwelling, habitual drunkard, hotel, heroic people, hereditary disposition.

171. The Articles Distinguished.-Compare the italicized expressions in the following sentences:

Man is mortal.

The child is dying.

A soldier stood on guard.

Man," unlimited by an article, applies to all mankind. 66 Child," limited by "the," applies to an individual, singled out as already before the mind. 'Soldier," limited by "a," applies to an individual, singled out at random as a representative "The" points definitely to a par"a" selects one, no matter which. The" is called the Definite Article; 66 'an" or "a is called the Indefinite Article.

of his class. ticular object; Definition.

172. Uses of the Articles.-In general both the definite and the indefinite article single out individuals from the rest of a class: the definite, a particular individual; the indefinite, any individual. Ordinarily, therefore, they are used, not with proper nouns or names of materials, but with nouns that apply to many objects of the same class. Yet no one principle covers all the uses of articles. These must be learned chiefly through observation and

imitation. It may be helpful, however, to enumerate some of their special functions.

The Definite Article is used

One

(1) To designate objects as already before the mind: as, night a wolf fell in with a dog. The wolf was all skin and bones, while the dog was as fat as he could be.”

as,

"I

(2) To designate objects as near by or prominent in the mind : to the window; sprang The birds are singing;" "We saw the queen;""There is a higher law than the Constitution ; " “The Scriptures tell the story of the Flood.”

This use of the article tends to change a common into a proper noun, as indicated frequently by the use of capitals.

(3) To give to a common noun a representative or collective force: as," The reindeer is a native of Norway."

a

This use of the article-called the Generic (Latin gener, class")-is borrowed from the French. The English article, as remarked above, singles out; the generic article collects.

The Indefinite Article is used—

(1) In its original numerical sense of " one: as, "Not a word was said;""Two at a time."

When nouns have the same form for both singular and plural, this use of the article distinguishes the numbers: as, "He has a sheep," "He has sheep."

(2) In the vague sense of “ a certain: as, "One night a wolf fell in with a dog." (The word "one" in this sentence hardly differs in function from the articles.)

(3) In the sense of "any," to single out an individual as the representative of a class: as, “A ball is round."

(4) To make a common noun of a proper noun: as, "A Daniel come to judgment."

NOTE.-In "many a child," "such a person," and similar expressions, the article follows the adjective, instead of preceding it.

EXERCISE 163.

1. Construct sentences illustrating the common uses

of the definite article.

2. Construct sentences illustrating the common uses of the indefinite article.

EXERCISE 164.

Distinguish between

I. Give me a (one) pen. 2. I have caught (a) cold. 3. A black and (a) white cat. 4. Bring me the (that) candle. 5. Grass (The grass) is green. 6. Earth (The earth) is heavy. 7. I sprang to a (the) window. 8. Birds (The birds) are singing. 9. Men (The men) admired him. 10. He has (a) trout in his basket. II. Bring me a (the) lighted candle. 12. Trees (The trees) are in blossom. 13. Man (The man) is a strange being. 14. Wanted a cook and (a) housemaid. 15. Men (The men) ran to give the alarm. 16. There were few (a few) friends with him. 17. He behaved with little (a little) reverence. 18. The (That) road crosses the (a) mountain. 19. A man (The man) on the shore rescued her. 20. Mr. Smith (A Mr. Smith) called to see you.

21. If you wish to have virtue (a virtue), you must practice it. 22. Shall I tell you a (the) story of a (the) wolf and a (the) dog?

EXERCISE 165.

Insert the proper article in each blank, if an article is needed; if no article is needed, leave the place blank:

6. Colonel Waring died of - yellow fever.

7. He well deserves the name of

scholar.

fourth page (pages).

9. An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun. IO. There are two articles, the definite and

II. Nouns have two numbers,

indefinite.

singular and

12. Two figures came slowly down the road;

man,

other a boy.

plural.

one was a

173. Caution.-Not every "the" is an article, nor every "a."

In "The more they get the more they want," and similar constructions, "the" is an adverb, a survival of an old adverbial case-form of the pronoun "that."

In "Who goeth a borrowing, goeth a sorrowing," and similar constructions, "a" is a survival of an old preposition.

174. How to Parse Articles.-To parse an article one must tell

(1) What it limits.

(2) Its effect.

EXERCISE 166.

Parse the articles in Exercises 92 and 114.