Articles - Shortcut Rules

Friends, today we shall discuss some important rules of Articles.

Rule 1 : The indefinite article 'A'  should be used before the word 'Half' when it follows a whole number.

• I stayed in Madras for one and half years. ☓
• I stayed in Madras for one and a half years. ✔

• He spent one and half a half rupee. ☓
• He spent one and a half rupees. ✔

Rule 2 : The definite article 'THE' should be used with a comparative adjective if the phrase 'of the two' is used.

• She is better of the two sisters. ☓
• She is the better of the two sisters. ✔

• This is the best of the two books. ☓
• This is the better of the two books. ✔

Rule 3 : With the names of meals such as Break fast / Lunch / Dinner / Supper, no article should be used in a general way except in particular causes.

• I have the breakfast at 8 hrs in the morning ☓
• I have breakfast at 8 hrs in the morning ✔

Rule 4 : The + Positive Adjective represent the whole class, and take a plural verb.

• The rich is responsible for the lawlessness in the country.☓
• The rich are responsible for the lawlessness in the country. ✔

Say 'The poor are / The young are / The old are' etc....

Rule 5 : After Di- Transitive Verbs like Elect / Make / Appoint, articles should not be used except when they are used as Mono transitive verbs.

•  We appointed him a chairman.☓
• We appointed him chairman ✔

• We made him a leader ☓
• We made him leader. ✔

The Govt. has appointed a Committee (mono transitive)

(As a mono transitive verb)

Rule 6 : After type of / kind of / sort of / post of / title of / rank of / articles are not used.

• He is not that sort of a man. ☓
• He is not that soft of man. ✔

• He was promoted to the rank of a General manager. ☓
• He was promoted to the rank of General manager. ✔