Article II

     In the previous post about articles part 1, we're introduced to the three articles ('A', 'An' and 'The') and explained with their usages. In this post, article part 2 we shall look into when the articles mentioned are not used. The unused article will be displayed as '-' or dash in the sentence. 

     There are fives uses of using a dash when the article is not used. To understand it more clearly, the sentences below will show examples of how to use the dash.

1. Before a proper noun

-> Singapore has the largest port in Asia.

~ - Singapore has the largest port in - Asia

2. Before an abstract noun

-> Honesty is the best policy.

~ - Honesty is the best policy.

3. Before the names of materials, sports and meals

-> Iron is a useful metal.

~ - Iron is a useful metal

-> James loves to play badminton. 

-> Mary had breakfast at the cafe this morning. 

4. In phrases which consist of a preposition followed by its object

-> This is the greatest show on earth.

~ This is the greatest show on - earth.

-> You can travel by air, by sea or by rail.

~ You can travel by - air, by - sea or by - rail.

5. In phrases which consist of a transitive verb followed by its object

-> The ship will set sail tomorrow.

~ The ship will set - sail tomorrow.

-> Do not give ear to such a person.

~ Do not give - ear to such a person. 

Articles I

     The articles are words such as 'A', 'An' and 'The'. They are used before a noun. Some examples of articles are a book, an elephant, the boys, etc.

     Firstly, let's talk about 'a'. There are three notes to remember when using this article.

1. 'a' is used before a common noun.
-> He is a boy.
-> James bought a book.

2. 'a' is used before a word beginning with a consonant sound (bee, chili, donkey, etc.)
-> This is a pen.
-> Tin is a useful metal.
-> Arnold is a European.
* The words 'useful' and 'European' begins with a consonant sound 'yu'.

3. 'a' is used as one or a certain. 
-> Her father gives her a dollar. (In this case, a dollar means one dollar.)
-> She bought these flowers from a woman. (In this case, a woman means a certain woman.)

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     Secondly, let's talk about 'an'.

1. 'an' is used before a word beginning with a vowel sound (airplane, egg, umbrella, etc.)
-> Timmy saw an elephant in the zoo. 
-> Jane is an honest girl. 
-> There is only an hour left before Christmas ends.
-> This is an important letter.
* The words 'honest' and 'hour' begins with a vowel sound 'on' and 'our' respectively. 

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     Finally, let's talk about 'The'. 

1. 'The' is used before the names of a noun.
-> The Pacific Ocean is very large.
-> The United State of America has a new president. 
-> This is the Samsung Note 7. 

2. 'The' is used before a particular person or thing which the speaker knows.
-> The principal was angry during the assembly.
-> Mom threw away the rotten apple.

3. 'The' is used when there is only one (sea, earth, star, sky, etc.)
-> The sun shines brightly today.
-> I always like to see the moon.

4. 'The' is used before a superlative (tallest, shortest, highest, strongest, etc.)
-> He is the best boy in the school.
-> She is the prettiest girl in the class.
-> You are the laziest boy in the class.

5. 'The' is used before an adjective when the noun is not mentioned.
-> The rich people must help the poor people.

6. 'The' is used before a noun representing a class or kind.
-> The lion is the king of the beasts.

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     To sum up, Articles are used to refer to a noun (person, object, place, etc.) and put emphasis on that noun.