English Grammar: Articles and Pronouns

Article Usage

• The (definite article):
  • Used before nouns that refer to specific, previously mentioned things
  • Used before singular and plural nouns
  • Can be used before abstract nouns (e.g., happiness, beauty)
• A/An (indefinite articles):
  • Used before singular nouns that refer to non-specific things
  • A used before nouns starting with consonant sounds
  • An used before nouns starting with vowel sounds

Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns:
  • I, you, he, she, it, we, they
  • Used to replace nouns in sentences
• Possessive Pronouns:
  • Mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
  • Used to show ownership or possession
• Reflexive Pronouns:
  • Myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves
  • Used to refer back to the subject of the sentence
• Demonstrative Pronouns:
  • This, that, these, those
  • Used to point out specific things

Possessive Adjectives

• My, your, his, her, its, our, their
• Used to show ownership or possession
• Placed before nouns to indicate possession

Quantifiers

• Countable and Uncountable Nouns:
  • Countable nouns can be counted (e.g., book, dog)
  • Uncountable nouns cannot be counted (e.g., water, air)
• Some, Any, All, Both, Each, Every:
  • Used to express quantity or amount
  • Used with countable and uncountable nouns
• Much, Many, Little, Few:
  • Used to express quantity or amount
  • Much used with uncountable nouns
  • Many used with countable nouns
  • Little used with uncountable nouns
  • Few used with countable nouns

Demonstratives

• This, That, These, Those:
  • Used to point out specific things
  • Used to distinguish between two or more things
• This/These used for things close by
• That/Those used for things farther away

Articles

• The (definite article) is used before nouns that refer to specific, previously mentioned things
• The can be used before singular and plural nouns
• The can be used before abstract nouns (e.g., happiness, beauty)
• A/An (indefinite articles) are used before singular nouns that refer to non-specific things
• A is used before nouns starting with consonant sounds
• An is used before nouns starting with vowel sounds

Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns include: I, you, he, she, it, we, they
• Personal Pronouns are used to replace nouns in sentences
• Possessive Pronouns include: Mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
• Possessive Pronouns are used to show ownership or possession
• Reflexive Pronouns include: Myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves
• Reflexive Pronouns are used to refer back to the subject of the sentence
• Demonstrative Pronouns include: This, that, these, those
• Demonstrative Pronouns are used to point out specific things

Possessive Adjectives

• My, your, his, her, its, our, their are used to show ownership or possession
• Possessive Adjectives are placed before nouns to indicate possession

Quantifiers

• Countable nouns can be counted (e.g., book, dog)
• Uncountable nouns cannot be counted (e.g., water, air)
• Some, Any, All, Both, Each, Every are used to express quantity or amount
• These words are used with countable and uncountable nouns
• Much is used with uncountable nouns
• Many is used with countable nouns
• Little is used with uncountable nouns
• Few is used with countable nouns

Demonstratives

• This, That, These, Those are used to point out specific things
• These words are used to distinguish between two or more things
• This/These are used for things close by
• That/Those are used for things farther away

Determiners

• Express the reference of a noun or noun phrase in a sentence

Demonstratives

• Used to point out specific people or things
• Include words: this, that, these, those
• Examples: This book is mine, I like those shoes

Pronouns

• Replace nouns in a sentence
• Can be used as subjects, objects, or complements
• Include words: he, she, it, they, me, him, her, us, them
• Examples: He is going to the store, She ate breakfast

Possessive Adjectives

• Show ownership or possession
• Include words: my, your, his, her, its, our, their
• Examples: My car is red, Their house is big

Quantifiers

• Express the quantity of a noun
• Include words: some, any, all, both, each, few, little, much, many
• Examples: I have some money, There is little water left

Article Usage

Definite Article

• The definite article is "the"
• Used when the noun is specific or previously mentioned
• Examples: I'm going to the store (specific store), I read the book (specific book)

Indefinite Article

• The indefinite article is "a" or "an"
• Used when the noun is general or unknown
• Examples: I need a book (any book), He's a doctor (any doctor)

Zero Article

• Used with plural nouns or uncountable nouns
• Examples: I like dogs (plural noun), Water is essential (uncountable noun)

Learn about the usage of definite and indefinite articles and personal pronouns in English grammar.