Knowing the basic elements and rules of the English language can pave way for better command of the English language. Articles are important elements in phrases and sentences and they happen to be the most difficult words for English as a Second Language students to master because even native English speakers don’t know how to explain about articles properly.

Majority of English language speakers have constantly used articles and most have used them properly. Most of the time English speakers do not even think of using articles in their own grammar and most instinctively use a, an, and the in their sentences almost accurately.

Native English language speakers can intuit on when are the suitable times to use each article in their own writing and speech, while ESL students do not have the number of years of hearing English spoken that is necessary to develop that perception for grammar. The issue for English language learners is the fact that most native English speakers do not know how to explain article with more profundity.

Articles are some of the most frequently used words in the English language and are composed of “the” “a”, and “an”. Articles are generally used with common nouns to demonstrate whether they are specific or general. “A” and “an” are called the indefinite articles and are employed with nonspecific nouns. “The” is the definite article and is made use of with specific common nouns. However, bear in mind that there are some common nouns that do not need an article at all and there are some proper nouns that do need the use of articles.

The following are a few article tips to bear in mind for native English speakers and English language learners:

* Articles with common nouns. The usage of articles with common nouns depend not only specificity but also on whether the nouns are singular, plural, countable, or uncountable.

• Common nouns that are general and plural never use articles. ex. Dogs bark.

• Common nouns that are general and are singular or countable use indefinite articles. ex. A dog barked at the child.

• A definite article is used any time a common noun refers to a specific entity ex. The dog barked at the child.

• Articles with proper nouns. A lot of proper nouns do not have need of any articles however there are some kinds of proper nouns that do need articles and according to the Thomson Handbook, these proper nouns include historical events. Time periods, physical structures, and bodies of water and they all need the definite article “the”.
  ex. The biggest ocean in the world is the Pacific.

Articles are important elements that should not be taken for granted by English language learners. Everyone learning English should always bear articles in mind.