CHAPTER 14

- j-d;l
':jt, ARTICLES
WHAT IS AN ARTICLE? (Articte ft?)
ftrualr+ierqt rc
Gir.e me a book. (ql{lt-s eFtr <R
EIel
Give me the book. (qWra <lF,no
rj
Give me an apple.,(vfig66 c+tr vtc"tar rrfs
r;
Borc<-< <roler-{Rg a, un, thl *t frlia ,
ffi< ff*j,rt" *li
{(fi {F fr6q (a, an_qffi; q<( etc{fs#; #11."m. ffi fffu.
book 4Q noun
book si evERffi om froq r
cetcs 6?{rq a, an, s tt,n <t ual"ctiun.
1R @cFl+
ftE qf word rrF{ nlEqr{ qtr Trt,FF R rc<l qtEtit
q(T-trco T{l dtrq-< qc,l+] Ttc"t r

RT-article ("tnRs frc,Af+1.

erFnqdfiTmt c
u = eoF; an : qsD. the : E, bl,
=Il'fl, "ttfi, 1c.v-1. a <tF, -ttS<tlg
A. Origin of a" an & the
(a, an, € the-q< Ss1&)
one-)anJa

^ E"lIf{
qiftq
ffi &fi- 6{ r(fts {6{
"..*"a. qr<T< thai;fts
qrr {cR(R one an {crcq qqq an s.t6{r
il ffi;;..
B. Kinds of Articles
(Article-Gt qs.kFq)
Article !g efsf{ s
1. Indefinite article : a € an
2. Definite article : tfie

1. INDEFIMTE ARTICLE
1. Indefinite article : a €{( an_4eC{T qk{ <,C{ sT[-S
qfrffi-srrc trRs sr<;.fiffi noun q<
<t frn *r.. dR" qfi_srs {rq
indefinite arricte RI sfiffislsetfl-s "* ct r eqqy
flhlRfv ft6fs I c{:li s
 Grammar : Articles 171

I saw a boy. (ffi q?F-e;l <l{$Cs cq({frnt{ 1;

He gave me an apple. (ffi
ql:tlr$ qsfr qE"tn fiirsfuEi t)
q?IItr{ cort <r-q-oFr"+ ffic{RET{ q fr5fiq6q <'{l q{fr I q:FsFt <Frsrs
ffi
CqrqRill qEq|E{qlqc$'6q I €tqr{ anEl3lls cEftW"fetr frq|{lc{ffiE
q *q? ok q<s.fiRs F.c{ {4t qsR r estr qlc'l{ (an apple) lar6{ frffi +t<
ffitr<|lr{lS{{ | qrs.fq a € an{dl indefinite article.

2. DEFII{ITE ARTICLE
,;i fqcu-d {Fcto[art {v-
I saw an apple in his hand and I went to him running'
Then he gave me the aPPle.
(qlfi 6F qrF qfc"lE
EIcs cq?FilE 'aaivf< o.[R dq 6{4fl! 1 srl{
frql{tr$u1'c"FlFfrt r)
qsF 5{ss.F &frq eryi rr{q? q"ffc{ Eelr <lrsi an apple ffi q6q 1 q-4q
& sfrtqfr qqlq ffi qT< ftRt qtfr ql, ebt
qtfr {'?i;t \5F qlr qcF cq"lqll sfi
et qlI]R +mfrffi qT r ftE
"R-{t*fF <ql
qcE. the apple. EIT FR"t €$( apple-
F snq ccrrs fiRs r qr?* qlctt <n-+ qtfr "qrF qrcorE" <rqR \qt-t efi
.q1trffi" (the apple)-cs "iRqs <+rq r stfr mcorq qFF qk"|.fl frfr,
c"l[{Q
*c{qtcffi re-l=t qls mr?l&4{" otqrc"nF I qE 'fiffiq" 1<ffi <n
the_6S {66T definite article il fiffirc-f€l"fS article.
C. Where articles are usually used : (Article CD-flF-< C$tql{tr {Cc)
Article {ffi noun 4-<l ql-cut r fio< <lOern.l otg
Inc. I have cat.
Cor.lhaveacat.
Inc. The iron is very useful.
Cor. Iron is very useful.
Inc. The Karim is mY brother'
Cor. Karim is mY brother.
Inc. The honesty is the best policy.
Cor. Honesty is the best PolicY.
E"rc<-* <rolerqtr 6{tFf noun Rq merql cq e

Cat-Common noun
iron--material noun
Karim-Proper noun
honestY-abstract noun
ft-q qorrection-qd ol-t ts{ common noun F< (cat) ql6ti €3;G article Rt{
qf{ q{tl{i noun-e61l( qtrl csl{ article TQq qt I {sfl( w'l+fiot1{ qf-qcq'{ qbl
cgrc{ {-€ stE'EHr{ c{ qi q.|{r{{ &Rq, !1
qlqrc-{A oFI q&Lq rfit, slcq-< q?Ft
qpt ErT Ct1-q r ft gim qrR ctrq? q8 c{, qlql;tcts common nounElvt Y;B
6qp1 n6qn-4T qlctt article qCq qt I qrq ctlE "cl{Rq$"-q< s{1, q< el{
q:{-fi 'Rrrf{" ffi-4erels fi'{< 6q"ltci'article 9zl-"ljt <I{qr< T-{r Q3 I
 772 A Passage to the English Language
II. USES OF INDEFIMTE ARTICLES : A. An
(lndefinite Articles-qi <Fqk)
A €R( An-€E q'6 inaetinite article R&n word q< qlC't <I{ds ET I

c$leff{ a KI an iI{Qs qr{ Eld r-e-$erfl fiT{ qrTq I qE <RE qg fiTTs(Elrs

RULE fin <4qI s-fl qq c{-{ qqATAG-< Rr"l{ cofq fiaq qc{fqr{ cfi F-<F {F<t
{{t
. A. USE OF A/An :
RULE-I. tlqKqv 6s.F word-4iQalC{ consonant qll€Ce (m' l, bag uR
"'ulJi Skrt a Tm (R:l{ a bat) qit( vowel (a, e, i, o il u), eF$Id (6{it{, ant) v'lil
:;l
9l[{ an <[c (R{.{ an ant).
){q$-d Consonant Consonant )\qqa vowel vowel
1. lseeaolro. o 1. Iney have an ass. a
2. This is a pen. p 2. I have an umbrella. u
3. Bring me a stick. s 3. Do not move an inch. i
4. She bought a radio. r 4. He saw an otter. o
(c\'=lcs. )
5. This is a tree. t 5. We saw an elephant. e

EXERCISE| Fill in rhe blanks with a,/an :

(1) Give me apple.
(2) TheV saw -camel.
(3) She gave me -egg.
(4) Do you have -horse?
(5) There is -playground in front of (ffi"C+) our house.
Ans. RULE-1 Cq'"l I

RULE-2- Singular countable noun (<l rtfi <rfl StT) q< qI({ a,/an
<I{-qs qr qfr or< q'lqiR-s ci"til 'trE q'sB" s<-<f{ ql RT I

lnc. He lives in flat.

Cor. He lives in a flat.
Inc. She is actress (qffi)
Cor. She is an actress.
NOTE " Countable neun qGI€ <ft st< AgIRT c({fi \rE qsF E{ lcaTa
sun-{ $ <r+< qfi+ m) ERcq s.K gkrf a,/an <rc qt r

RULE-3. 6SFT singular noun-€K qfC{ a/an <rT {fr El ftcq qFe EiIqR
wraqffiq1{q{<tl3 IcTrFr B

Inc. The man must be educated.

Cor. A man (: all men, {:fg {|{q1T) must be educated.
Inc- Child needs milk.
Cor. A child needs milk = All children need milk.
 Grammar : Articles
173

RULE_4. Half-qK q.rcrl a {cc R"l{ half 6df-{ 1f xtrr< (whole number)
erc<<cq I
't
Inc. 1j kilograms : one and hal{ kilograms
1
Cor. tj kiloSrams = one and a half kilograms'
Inc. We want half-holidav (9,{frcE< qtr)
Cor. We want a half-holidaY'
lnc. I want half-share'
Cor. Iwant a half-share'
r1
qRMi = a (one)third, a: a (one) sixth etc'

RULE-S. {fu"f (quantitd fuAls ftIfuo a'lan {f{de R{ 3

a lot of (E[-{ qRTl-ct)
a great manY (W6{s)
(q[{s, qq-<)
a great deal of
RULE-6. E-3 (price), qflltr (ratio), etfur<rt (speed)?pfifr efon T-rcs

a/an{l{ds{{ 3

Rice sells five taka a seer. (ffi{

gfu {U bffi or<;
The car runs eighty kilometres an hour'
(3tLs u" ft'fr')
times a day' (ftf,{ rr <R)
Give the patient (cilfu$) this medicine three
BeicT< <fsje[8f65 a/an = per ({:Ft 3 ^
Rice sells fiue takaiercne'' Ipn' = qfu qsB RqnF I

countable
RULE-7. Exclamatory sentence-€ GqT{5-$ iFEi) singular
noun ({l ttfi F-{t {l{) q-d qlctt a,/ an TC{ 3
What a fool You are !
Such a fine Picture !
How beautiful a bird !
ql
ftq plural noun-€;[ ffi[Q a,y'an a!-{qs Ef< I

Such fine Pictures !

What fcols !
*utt-4.@-q<x'ls ^
AMr.Rabcamehere'{Mr'RabTl'c{q$"q-{q?m'seqRf'nl)
qm{ <lfr$ nlft 's$tr flffi< cftal ffi{l
There I met a Miss Razia' (f,{rllc{
Sq l)

t B. Where'a' is used instead of 'an! :

(ffief{ Anql<cc Aaca)
q|r'q s? Fftqfrq'Il c{ word-qK
RULE-t-q qrqar ft FnrrRqr{ {r{ 3

cfi(s 6K qfttt an {Cq I C{5r{ an ant, an ass ?gf{ft t

QslC{ vowel
 L74 A Passage to the English Language
ft=q qE fiTcqi FEsqm <jG@q qlce r q-q6q"6q vowel GF 6q{l q{ Ft, vI{
Eo'R"t ft elsRss qcue qg rfis Ffi€ cn{l ET I qfi qoB ,setr s,rn
<rFqqem e-{l.I {fs s

RULE-g. O-qt B6l{ct ,,wa,,it ..€T1,,_€< Iu qrq (vowel

gk{ R€{l r1T€) Ek
an {l <tC a i[yl I

F". I saw an one_eyed man.

Cor. I saw a one_eyda rnun.---
4gfl-{ a one-taka note, a one_legged
Inc. He was an once_famous o;.' boy. --'
'r$ Cor. He was a once_famous (€FolcaK {frh.) poet.
fuq o-e< Eqnq .q. <l -€-_q< ss qcE g.r{
'!t ''

9k t an TF, I cq:n s
an old (rbq-u; man, an operator (q"nr<qbk)
ffi r

RULE-lo.word_$t QqlcT u il eu Rl ew alFF6{ sT{ ET-l<q qfr.tE,

"ew"-,fi :l9 qS EIq6{ (vowgl <l
ReTl q'6qs) sf{ yf6ri an 41 <tC a TC{ B
He is a university {nUffitry student.
He is a European.
The cow is a useful animal.
They have a ewe (cvff).
ftq "r" '\1"-q< Ts Bufi^c Erq g.r< vket an {c{ B
She isan unknown (qrF-{l) woman here.
The crow is an ugly bird. Erc-fifr r

a C. Where 'an' is used instead of ,a, :

(6SlqIlR a {l l-f{ an Tf{ t)
RULE-l-q ft ft.tRrE
s.r{ qfrqr Ffr.terq c{, word_q< qrcst
{l$rq Ek 9k{ a {C{
consonant r

frq qi firrrr <rFol qne E fir.{t e

RULE-ll. word qR qakn h ctfrq q<s, \o-R elC vowel ef$rq
qT6,Rs cqttrF vowel q<B6.RqqT{RI <fr h
{f{ vR['E El? qlC'f (C{ a il an
TCq 3

He worked for an hour (qIB,TIn).

He is an honest (wC+t) man.
fhe king left an heir (cm<) 1Bffiroffi).
r+q h {Tq \r6rktv ET El-qrq sI{ qkrt
a E6q r

They have a horse.

She is staying in a hotel.
RULE-l2. Abbreviation (.irqR c.Sft6{rf) q< SclT
qrq\e Wrp3 consonant
vt €onq orn cT{ {fr vowel sound qllq g.RrE
\5r{ qlcrf a il Tt{ an
TffiI
 Grammar : Articles 775

She is an M. A. (M-s{. Bryf<rm Eam "q")

My uncle is an M. B. B. S./ L. L. B.
Mr. Bari is an M. P./ S. P.
He opened an S. B. Account. (S-,cc)
ft-q. eSE consonant-fr{ bq<rq-< qqT {fr vowel sound qt qtcc qQf{ gl;r
gfCtt a TC{ 3

She is a B. A./ B. Sc./ B. Com.

EXERCISEI Use "a" or "an" in the gap.

(1)The king has hetr (ffi).
(2) My brother is L. L. B.
(3) We saw one-eyed man.
(4) The cow is useful animal.
(5) Thev have horse.

III. USES OF THE DEfINITE ARTICLE : The

Singular s pluralEv-{ noun-€d l{lC{ the q< qat {q effrs, 'ffr-{fu S{
4l I C{'fi 3 the boy, the boys.
RULE-l3. 6qafiffi <ifu, Elft, <t {q{<ms common noun q.{ qftri
the {C{ 3
Yesterday he bought a pen; today he has given the pen to me.
I qrr< aqrffi qfi fid-t s-fl qcrq <rq q{4 et Frffi (aefinrte)l
Do the work.
fiffist s ffiffisr< ql<"[ fir5-< Table cqt[-$ el-cil *E qc< r I.-{ frR 1v I

lndetinite Lrelinite
1. Do a work. (CTI{ l$Rs<) 1. Do the work. (dl9lD T3t)
2. Buy a pen. [(c< r+lq) qFtr 2. Buy the pen. I(qt) s-qTF
46I:1 6$;{ | c-$;T I

3. Eat a mango. t(ql cq q'lv6{ 3. Eat the mango. l(qfqerql caIr{

qr++ ql{ ql(q,vtcq3 q{i clrs) fiffi) qtqF "lt€ rl
Cq 6sT{.++Dqtq {t\31
RULE-l4. (unique)<l qq6Tnh <l qtc6lT
qlE-\9=H <h lr{'s-{t q{
rl{ {q <1 <wrB< qlcT{ qlcrt the T6{ I R5FI 3
the earth the moon
the sky the stars
RULE-ls. Phrase 4 clause Cqt't T-fl-{ slsrct Cfl{ noun GF frffi <fn
fiRso-*crqsl<qk'f s
The bird that I caught was blue.
clause
The girl in blue 1frq 6eiFfs "iRR-) was very beautif'.rl.
pErase
 776 A passage to the English Langr.rage
We saw the fox without a tail.
- ph-rase-
RULE-16. t{$br, (pyq)dmity) <I qRFCR skcct m.F frR fiffiq Ers
sTr{vrnql.c'tthe<cq I c{5tT s
She is in the garden.
4tlf6{ the garden <tr-Oi 1<ns {ft e$rf { q$
CS CSI{ <tB-fr garden {$,
qi <tF* garden q< scrR <qt <e r qt ffilr sr3rccr sardenfr fiffi vce
"tfrotftsqcscq r

The doctor came today. (rTF-{lEf({ doctor qffi {tfs-{ ffi e tffifu r)
RULE-I7. superlative degree € ordinar numeral adjective-€-R gr-crr
the Tm 3
He is the best (superlative) boy in the class.
She is the first (ordinal) girl.
RULE-I8. Wfu 1+tu, qdtq eoqlfr{ c<qrqfc$ T<iks, singular
common noun (? qlC{ the TJTAE ET I qdle,
the+sing. common noun + ut&6n-* r

The cow (= all cows) is a useful animal.

The cat (: all cats) is fond of milk.
frq man (singular)- A-fl qF-{sTfu ftuman racei
{<rks slT qk t rs.f{
article 3Fl-Qs {T {l I

Man must die - All men must die.

El-{ CS14 frf.l{I group of people {<11-fo the <Flqs qcs etlcf I qtq rq
|Fe+A;oGl qi&l<Frquqr s
The poor rickshawpuller (:all poor rickshawpullers) rives a miserable
life in Dhaka.
E frtr{ <lrai-< singular verb (lives)fr qT] Fd I

RULE-l9. F#Aj€cJi"el-qsc't <trq-s EcE El qr ct+r yrs-E

{ters (Tqq{) tr<na r ersrE plural verb <Fq\o RT I

The rich (: all rich people) are not always happy.

Aajr
The poor (= all people who are poor) suffer much on earth.
RULE-2O (r) q{E, nft, ftl1w (,{sfr ft{ 4'{),
"16o cqft (dsB "F{tr
q'fqq;R), cqr.R plural 4F{, T{'s;ft, qqaq Es?Xft proper noun €?t qE{ the
".t

{rq I

The Atlantic (Tqm4?) The Sahara tr-*-'?fr)

The Pacima (Tft) The Netherlands {ffiC"k plural;rla)
The Himalayas ('t-46t9ft ) The Andarnans (fttlw)
 Grammar : Articles 777

qKs +rsoF {tq< qkri the {c{ s

The Panjab (cqrt< q,Iq)

The Sudan
The Hague The Mall
The Yemen The Strand
RULE-20 (2). Fun +of+noGl-qscat csF qll' E6s qcq sR'qIc'f
the {c{ I s{{ 'ft{F E{ s the+noun+of+noun
RJFI 3
-l
he Noun of Noun Meaning
the Bay of Bengal <rrlelcirFr
the Gulf of Mexico mfu<Flblcl'R
the Cape of Good Hope Esfi"ltq-sft,t
the Bay of Biscay frrsSqcFt=t
the United States of America rrffi{-wE
RULE-z0 (3). adjective + noun 6$.F[ noun {ftE ErE sTT
-qK-caf
9l-iltl the {m I C{sf{ s

Ine Adj. noun

1. the Arabian ocean
2. the Carebean sea (
J. the Arabian gulf
4. the New forest
5. the Hiqh street
RULE-2l. Possessive adjective (C{T{ his, her, my, your)-4K 'iC{
(-$-l-{ qs €l\5llqT ffi (c<r-* hand, leg, head) {rsrq sls ffiKd the <-t{q\5 E{ s

Inc. Pull him here by his ear. (Elr$ TT{ fl-< ,sqlc{ &n E.l{)
Cor. Pull him here by the ear.
Inc. He had a hat (rF{ft EI}t) on his heacl.
Cor. He had a hat on the head.
Inc. The snake bit him in his leg.
Cor. The snake bii him in the leg.

Put an appropriate article in the gap.

(1) Bay of Bengal. (Ans. RULE 20 tz}
(2) - Netherlands. (Ans. RULE 20 (1)
-
{3) A cow is a useful animai = All cows are use{ul anirnals =
a useful animal. (Ans. RULE 18)
-tow rs
4. F"le struck $mE +C<-tWl me on-head. (Ans. RIJL"E 2U

R{jI-E-zz. \-\9--\ss" €e*lr{Tr:{ds qI{ *1-q'q{E{frq{l{$b-s $ EI

414 T"{fi-S \5fq[E q<Rtr <.lCsI{ comparaii,,,e adjective-ETr{ q]Itl the TC{ S

The more man gets, the more he wants. (:lT{s {s' 'i1{ E\5 Ef{ t)
The sooner, the better. ({E qg qs EE slq r)

apTL-t I
-1
 t

778 A Passage to the.English Language

q<r<
FxERdrsel
Ft"lr< cotlct r

RULE-13cs c{ qcd the iFt-ds qirrR qr$ rc{ defining 'the,; RULE
14-Cs C{ wd the <I{q-s CcTcq \5fs T(FI familiar 'the' ; RULE 18-F CS qcd
the nl{ds q[T-Cq Eltrs {FI generaliz Ft s)ing'the' ; (Ri RULE 22-q C{ WCd
the Tl{q]o qcTeEfr$ {Ft instrumental 'the'. q-{K ef&fr RULE-qo-<t< cqc"l
TI€ tfitF-{Wqr{ T{"tF{ reffigo*oRcqR cq'{qqq s
No. 5entence qQ3lr$I{the€
I 'l.he sun gives
us light. 1. Iamltlar tne
2 The ass is a beast of burden. 2. 'the'
3 The earlier, the better. 3. _'the,
4 Give me the pen. 4.
5 The snake is not faithful. 5.
-
_,the'
6 The pole star ({<9lTI) is stationary fr{). 6. _
-'the' 'the'
7 She broke "the" glass. 7. 'the'
Ans. RULES 13, 14, L8,s 22 ffiA t

-
RULE-23. Two $?llF{ Ergq .[srE q<(Etqtr< w 6qtrs qFFrs ccq
6fi1 ItITf{ (comparative) SqNF{ adjective s< qk{ the {C{ B

Rima is the more beautiful of the two girls-Rima and Shima.

RULE-24. Proper noun €J[ eK f$t{ epithet <t e"RlD-S fi gs <q &
epithet F< Wut the {C{ s
Omar the great (epithet) was a noble Caliph.
Ivan the great was a strong ruler.
RULE-2s. qRq-{ \tft3R qlet 15s {6q 3
He will come on the 10th of this rnonth. (cc' q? xlcfi q-{ sfkc{
q'srr{ t)
RULE-26. Proper noun €K qlcrt Ct<Rc[: the It T{ffis c$I{ Tft{ <l
qffs q-dr"fi&, {{sq, c{?tr$R Tl{ Jfc,rlq{ q.lq; 6{lSE, frr{qt-olc, sfrqql-F<
rl{; {(<lT effm l,te; q-fqq, fiqm, 6rm nr; Efr6 Aeqfis $lr< (n++ g.y
ffi; frcc< lll; ltgn qn ffi< qft't the <rc r <fr{ q-drrffff{ qtcv< $toi; The
English (Q<crq ulfib) are brave. {Sfu xtSqt{* qlcr.tr qkrt B The Muslirns
should be honest"
NOTE. slTf{ 4tCT{ Vt(st the <[.{ ql I The English <qCE Riffq S1& .{<(
ts{ English <sts Qir<& vN grttR r

q{qr€ nftq< qft't 3 The euran is a holy book followed by the

Muslims.
Arq< ilgq-d qlcrl ({fr 6E{rs< q,lT {R:T) s The Sonar Tari of
Rabindranath Tagore (Thakur) is one of the greatest books of poetry in
the world.
 i

Grammar : Articles 179

6qfdrE-{ qf(T;tr ql(tt s The Dhaka Sheraton is a five-star hotel.

Cq(.lq{r€< {f[{K qlCti 3l read the lttefaq daily.
q.fqlq 6fq-d ql[{n qftti s The Green Arrow runs at its full speed.
s
The Titanic (qt{q) was a very large ship.
qfr6 .hffis qt-{K qrq.-< qkd e Babur defeats ("t-fie\o or<Rr+ql
Ibrahim Lodi in the war of Panipath.
ll$ {llF{ gf[lt 3 The spring has arrived.
NOTE. 1lq< 4ltT{ 91I{ the lt Tq'lcqs 5-rq I

* R:ULE 27. Material noun (C{{{ salt, water) 4{( abstract noun (C{T{
iijj'
honesty rr\fl) q< q'k{ the <m {| | cTil;I s
Inc. The iron is a useful metal.
Cor. Iron is a useful metal.
Inc. The honesty is the best policy. fii59Q Sqt? A-q
Cor. Honesty is the be-st policy. ')
ftq material noun,/abstract noun + of + noun _lq-?[c't <Frae qcE Er<
-elktt the TCC s

Inc. Water of this pond is turbid (6Slql).

Cor. The water of this pond is turbid.
Inc. Honesty of Kamal is known to all.
Cor. The honesty of Kamal is known to all.
RULE 28. Common noun (C<nq mother) {clT abstract noun fr-Cel
<Fra\5{{ sfi q3l qfttl the TC{ 3
Inc. Mother GfYq $T[E) in her arose (C61t{ ErrE) at the sight of the
poor child.
Cor. The rnother (TfPq) in her arose at the sight of the poor child.
Inc. Check beast (fl\eq q1d) in you.
Cor. Check the beast (fleS) in you.

EXERCISEi Use articles where necessary.

(1) I read ittefaq everyday.
(2) Himalayas are a group of mountains.
(3) Andamans are a group of islands.
(4) Klndness of Omar is known to all.
(5) He carne on 15th o{ the }ast month.
(6) She is most beautiful girl in the class.
(7) Bible is a holy (tRo) book.
(8) English speak English.
(9) Earth moves round the Sun.
(10) Cow gives us milk.
Ans. (1) the Ittefaq (2) E?Bq the (3) Q{-cT the (4) qcffi the (5) \5Tfo"R
qfc't the (6) superlative €3 9k{ the (7) q{ €Pc{{ nl(q< qfcti the (8) sTfu<
dlffi< qIC'l the. €1116{ qqrq (9)Qel'C{ rhe (1 'the'QqfC{ t
 180 A Passage to the English Language
N. POSITION OF ARTICLES
(Article-4K q-{qq)
Indefinite article (a, an) C{ noun C$' qualify T'C{ sf{ qkrf TC{ S

She is a girl.
noun
fiq & noun CT Tfr \{{I 6$Fi adjective qualify FC{ ET-{LE & adjective st
9l[5t a,/an {C{ e

She is a good girl.

noun
& adjective 6S Tfr qry qSE adverb qualify FC{ qqTq A adverb rfiT qft{
a/an4Cfi 3

She is a very good girl.

Adv.
. FE however, of course, rather, on the other hand, at the same time,
ffi 34unr6 g adverbial phrase q{ rIc( a,/an Tr{ B

Many people insulted (qfiF oC<&ql her that day. She came back
again to dance. She was, however ({lQf{|-s), a smart dancer.
We slighted away (qq +r<Q4|ql the issue tffil; it was, of course
(s{<-lJ), an important matter.
It was rather ({<C) funny (:{-sil-=tr) story.
\,Ve thought him to "be a lawyer (qflt-fl qrs eo-q-{ Sft-E &rr+Rolq) He
was, on the other hand (9"Kflft), a doctor. etc.
€qr< qn-*I ffic-*REtl R q+rq <r+es {cq a,/an {fr &
Fdfctiv;nor4
noun CSqualify S-S60 5'lS sRfq qfS TC'($ q[< adjective q< qlcit I C{5FI g

He is a wise man
;aj.
ftq .{q{
**
6FGI He is wise a man fi{ EdfcEql I

adj. noun
sQfiTcq{$ftq'{qfiFlc_swqt c+rs rfro crcrqt cR?IrqI{E s
Itoo + adj + arz^an + noun'l 6{T'{- He is too competent a man for this
posr. (ftfr qE ElTs m qt a6q qr$ ltcw lt r)
dFEI 431, a {C{6R adjeciive
{competent) q<
'ft3 I

how+Adj+a/an+noun C{:FT-How fine a day is it ! (or it is !)-

fturs+t-< coFfi-*r;
so+adj+a/an+noun CT:li,-ls mathematics so hard a subject? I
can not even imagine of so good a man. (ffi qT{ ft <u 5q-g q$fr qWrK
s{t+F{l\e a3p e1fr-a1 11

as+adj+a+noun+as
He gave me as fine a picture as I wanted. (qft Cqm Tq-< qTF eR qa
s.lcq 6Fc-TR{]q ccqI:IIr{ Fq-{ Tq< .q-+tr eRffi{ r)
 Grammar : Articles 181

fr66j 4i rt€K qsl s< s

q'1-qq6E1-6s the
She acted the fool. Give me half the money. Give me the whole
money. Both (of) the two men were smart.

EXERCISEi Use an article where necessary.

(1) He is so good man that he cannot do such a bad thing.
(2) How nice bird it is !
(3) It is too large room for me.
(4) Both students went there.
(5) She gave me whole cake.
:p.l Ans. (Sfthe whole (4) the students (3) a room (2) a bird ((1) a man
::..:

v. oMIssIoN oF A/AN
(c$Iells cslalFl a,/an <Kqe sr ql)
FHfrfils 6srdt a,/an <c{4I s
A. Plural noun 4i[ 9tt?f; a/an q? 6sFt plural{ol 6{Q t

a dog €K plural {C{ dogs; an umbrella €3l plural QC{ umbrellas.

B. Uncountable noun .1T qfctl 3
a courage,
a love ffi qq< +* 43{ slR a salt,
a water cc?i Ts r fr9 a spoonful of salt,
a glass of water ffi RI< I

C.9t{l6fd {ICffi (meal) qlcat c We eat dinner together (a dinner i-{).

We have breakfast at nine (a breakfast l-T).
ft-q meal q< qI{ adjective <Ffd\5 qffi sl{ qftoi a,/an TC{ 3
She gave them a good breakfast.
Adj.
s-{hqtftTs Rr.tq +<t< fi-fl ccE ER qtc'i a/an TC{ 3
We were invited to a dinner at her marriage ceremony'
VI. OMISSION OF ''THE''
tne ffifits
Tt{ds {3 ql s
6s"c<
a A. RULE €rqks Cq{l;t qcsrq qqq qm €rEt qtcq'q{il{i qr{ { <1&3
qtcffiqfttt The{(lIit I

Inc. The Rahim is a good boy.

Cor. Rahim is a good boy.
Inc. The Dhaka is a vast (fub) city.
Cor. Dhaka is a vast city.
a B. f{ffi +td <l RrrFsRT {t 1<ftq abstract noun €it qfct the Tc{
qt3
Inc. The Kindness is a great virtue (Qcl).
Cor. Kindness is a great virtue.
ftq csfn furF <ifu{ rl$ (kindness)K sell <El qc{ El< qIc'l<cc s
 182 A Passage to the English Language
Inc. Kindness of Karim pleased ({{ +r<Rq) u. utt.
Cor. The kindness of Karim pleased tis all.
i C . Possessive case 4?'Bt the qC{qt S
Inc. This is my the book.
Cor. This is my book (= this is the book of mine)
Inc. He is our the dear father.
Cor. He is our dear father.
Inc. That is Karim's the house.
Cor. That is Karim's house = that is the house of Karim's
a D. qRErT {1aR qk't the {6{ {t 8
Inc. We have had the breakfast.
Cor. We have had breakfast.
ftq frr.ll q-{erc{F qfqrffi qlc'f the {c{ s The wedding (frrr-{)
dinner
was very pleasing (qfgF-q-{s).
a E. '|ftffd \fJr qvt? (parts) q<( c'lFtFF ,tRu{CqT {fc:K glcrt the <rJt TIg
Inc. Do not move yow the hand.
Cor. Do not move your hand.
(9-C{ He struck on Kashem's face.
Do not hit the boy's head
ilTl'erEfrs face € head q< qktt the {C{ qT frq qqrElcs fimiC"f fRc<
frqrq tne <rrw q{ r

He struck Kashem in the face.

Do not hit the boy on the head.
a F. fiffi Ttd ct 11flrq man, woman q{c<tt gtcrt the TcrT {t I

lnc. The women are very sensitive.

Cor. Women are very sensitive (Wpfr E<"1).
a G. "effG" q'6{ nature alT{s EFr \qlt glcrt the <rrT qI I s
Inc. Wordsworth was a great lover of the nature.
Cor. Wordsworth was a great lover of nature.
frq nature qd{fi q{ '?sR" vfi q-?r 9164 the q4rs ql6 e
Th.e nature of this man is not good.
I H. home, mosque ({{&T), church (ffi|), school, hospital,
prison, sea, town, work €Q word q(qkt gIFt the Tm FT s
home:
Inc. He is at the home.
Cor. He is at home.
Inc. I am going to thc home.
Cor. I am going home.
C*lcsl$ <I-rrB[s home €TF adverb Rrqr< <rq{s q(Tcq r

L
t$v. modifier + home q$'l a[$tE El{ ql[tt the n:fCs efff{ s
I will go to the nurse's home.
School, college, university, court, prison, bed :
 Grammar : Articles 183

Inc. I am going to the school.

Cor. I am going to school.
Inc. He is in the hospital.
Cor. He is in hospital
Inc. I am going to the market for shopping.
Cor" I am going to market for shopping.
Inc. We went to the mosque to say our pralers. ^
Cor, We went to mosque to say our prayers. EEITIR I

ftq e q< qrrq c{9118 TIs$n (visit) &nrtli {€Tt E@ <1 qcTcq <l Er< qffl
T<nTq \'tcq-{ 4frT{ qE l the TCrl 3

The visitor said, "l am going to the school" etc.

sea. TIR$fuTC{qFlTT{1,€{l1<tl6E sea sTq.lFt thell{dEq{{ s
Inc. The ancient mariner went to the sea on a long voyage.
Cor. The ancient mariner went to sea on a long vayage.
frE CTh-e< {<|I'(s sea <I{qs EcE E.l{ qfctt the TC{ 3
We are going to the sea (: sea shore).
work
work Elstl <ft 'Arci< Q'.{" (place of work){<fiT slQ[-E Efd qlctl the {f,{
4e
Inc. He has not came back from the work.
Cor. He has not come back from work (workplace)'
€ work EFI 'hM Ffi" (working) s $IllTI frF flI6d I

fuQ place of work {<'ttCs Tfr office {i:l-Qio qq ETqCE EF qI{ the {C{ '
She is in the office.
frq office qrc{ {fr 'Fftl<" <l '?rRq" {<ll{ sl{cE vr{ qrc{ the <c{41 t 3
Now he is in o{fice.
He is above seventy but still (ftE s-g.e) he holds office in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
Town
<-q< frcst< .l{6r{ T{l {<lIrE sl{ qR'i the Trc ql I

We went to town for shopping.

a I. <1gt € "n#{ qk{{ qfctt the {c{ Tl s

Inc. We went to the Ramna Park.

Cor. We went to Ramna Park.
Inc. Go along the X-street.
Cor. Go along X-street.
frQ street q< {fu Road 3l{de qrq q< Stctt the <{Rnl {l{ e
Go along the Green Road.
O J. Vocative case (:rcstfi 'lri)-4 common noun q< qtCtt the {c{ {lt
Inc. The boys, do not run in the sun.
Cor. Boys, do not run in the sun.
I K. Select, elect, appoint, make, nominate, crown-S verb
43t complement-€d gfCtl the q[q qt t
Inc. We elecled him the chairman.
Cor. We elected him chairman.
 784 A Passage to the English Language
Il". firny selected me the captain.
Cor. They selected me captain.
frqfrffiwdthe <qcs "nc{ s
We made him the chairman of the meeting.
a L. 6$t{ proper noun €R (c{:H Rahim) apposition R.tei Sfr. c$.l{
rank (ffifl) Tt profession (c"l1t) C{l{iF common noun <I{qs E{
\51-<E A common noun (T 9l-C4 the
<6{ il S
Il". lu!r. Rahim, the Headmaster of our school, is a good man.
Cor. Mr. Rahim, Headmaster of our schoot, i, u good-un. ---'
€rlIC{ Common Noun {d Headmaster.
Headmaster . . . . . school q(qF*f, e{ apposition.
a M. Tcs{D Phrase €r singular common noun €T qftrt csFt articre
<rrTTt; 6[:Ft 3
lncorrect -eorrect- ivleaninq
lrom top to the I from top to bottom qFtl calr$ ctM 'Fs
bottom I
2. from door to the I from door to door qR cefrs Elc<'
door I
3. cast an anchor I cast anchor c,lv<s<l
4 keep the house
I
k""p hour" \5qR{t{
'FC{<f eltbrE<
I
fit
5. take to the heart I tuk" to hnu,-t TF4-fi,qIqE 9ll€Rl
6. quote from the quote from memory
*q<-qI
memory
7. weigh the weigh anchor c{lv< qcn'{w ts+ $-<f
anchor
on the horseback
8. on horseback cswffi
at the home at home w
10 loose the heart loose heart clqcElilr{
11 from hand to the' from hand to mouth fiq ,{rl fr-{' ({t€TT)
mouth
T2 by the day by day fic{
13 ai the night at night <lco
74. at the sunset at sunset
lScis< w{
15. take the heart take heart cRcs-{
T6, on the fire etc. on fire etc. efqfr.-, g{S etc.

VII. REPETITION OF ARTICLES

(Article q< lI sT{ <KqK)
A. firu-d <tsrerqt qg s
The doctor is going to market.
The player is going to market.
 Grammar : Articles 185
doctor € player 6$ EE <ifu {rR <lTiEtrs fir*r"t {s +-<l <1{ s
The doctor and the player are going to market.
ftE frfr vM< frfit c"irtl-sfg €st q{e, doctor € player €TQ vfu qcq
<ffiqEfrY61t
The doctor and player is going to market.
s;tr, q<T{ fuq player-€31 Vl-[et the <rqfr r qslr<
qEF.f

The lawyer and the chairman will come <flq EtsT{ <ffu-< ott 1+tl,
€<(
The lawyer and chairman will come-T{CE qFsT{ <-J&-{ Fefi {<I-S I
l";'
:n; B. frrrd <r$l'E"E 1V s
I have seen the new house.
€:T( I have seen the old house.
qGtr <R-$l house {f, singular noun. €Rt house
frF {r$l <r{qg, ft-q
€< wI['f{ adjeciive CX frS I q<i< <f+l qft.T {s TR s
I have seen the new and the old house.
.T{Ef S<, house CS singular-Q f{CqQ, €e-frI new 4R( old Bgr{-< qlcui the
<qlc\g- qq r frq housec$ qfr
+R (vdts plural<fi) EleIE elrqs the ft
houses
<I<'q[-{$<I{Ir<1I s
I have seen the new and old houses.
{u<l( <-{I {I{ CS, €Tlt singular noun 4i ql('i Eq <l girsTfi-S adjective
aflTrE Elrqr efrqrs-{ qt'l the T{Ks q{'fr-q Etrs plural $-rrq s{ qclq
adjective F< qtcut the TC{, clc<< sfql< <l 6-lIT{tr{ 9K{ the {fi {l I

C" FRT-< <t+l'€rqt ?g s

I have a black and white shirt. (one shirt).
<.lsiBcg {1tr €+,{K a Tt{e\5 qr{-cq I a black and a white <raqo q{.ft r

sT<ci q?ftl' .!sF :{lq.flrrs qc\ btack <l white6+

d4tlrTl r qerEi
{-<fir{l Ecrqdt
Cul adjective, qIq-<'CT frcri"t+-<f< e''{I article <l-{Cs ET ql I Te3l( noun F3IE
(qdtq. crfira, shirt otF; q-< E"rd fr-\r1+-{c< a,/an o-{E {r< r ft-q
I have a black and a white shirt. (two shirts)
<r$rft.s black €i( white Bs(Tl< qtc{ a <ffirq, or<q q<K EE shirtcs
33llr4l q(q I CoITI< \-6{ S{ qt'lcs {rr{ c gRSE shirt {cfr Ttq qs-<.R cfil
fo:u< qc{E lwqq 1<trg flRr< Gr{ shirt -ffi q$E<R <l<'qs qcl.[q s
I have a black shirt. i have a white shirt.
<TsrEfrm{6s-<l"r 9lR s
I have a black shirt and a white shirt. 4rlIC{ shirt -|-{fr qt{R qftS r ft-q
Q$t word €si sentence-€ Et{|{ <r<.{l{ s-<F C$.Iq {fu Ot r ctcV< article (a)
Fqf+rqQ
11|l {]r< c{ €{IG{e noun €sF R-{ ; {ETls, SelI shirt $hfr WE frr{
"[€31${ s
I have a black and a white shirt.
 186 A Passage to the English Language

D. qq-dT{ CF-CE <len q$ EtF noun iFlds q{ qqcq s{ SEIF{

{fr ,s-$i
glCet a T6{ 3 He is a better actor than lawyer. (frR gftC{-{ 6FC{ qlrts

Rcq6.*)
EXERCISEI Use article where necessary.
(1) The doctor and player are (is l3I) coming.
(2) I have read the first and second book of paradise lost (two books)
(3) She has a yellow and blue pencil. (two pencils)
{4) I have read the first and seccnd chapter.
.itq
:ji
: Ans. (1) The player (are-6rctli 1<il {ltr cs <1fu TqT) (\) The second
(3) a blue (4) the second.

SOME ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

frffi <]-$IerElF the € 3/a.p q< TJ-{{"< EIF] T-d s

Speak the truth. Do not tell a lie.

The work has come to a close.
He is in a temper. We went out for a walk.
You are in the wrong.
They have a lot of money.
Rice is sold by the kilogram.
Make a fire. Take a short sleep or nap (ffi').
He has a great deal of work to do.
It is a fact. Never make a noise in the class.

VIII. AN INTERESTING EFFECT OF ARTICLES

Article s{{\s s{q€ word €R qd fi6 frre tn-< I fr6D-< qrfi ${fcq
<il"tl<D fi"F{sE 3

Word a/an 6{krt the C{t[rt

few (<-+re ctlrE mfdQ a few (ri$ll ocx-o) the few (lqlqg wq {<
II) sq)
little (lerv crlrq Gnti a little (s{,q-fl) the little (Rffi wd 5
qr) r{)
I have few friends here (qFII3[ q?rrq 6sf{
(w$< q?I1-r{ r+14 <.-{ <Ffi?t 6€ <Erm{ Erq I

I have a few friends here (qfq6 qqffi qE S-CS-S-${ <T'-<f{-< qfrs l)

The few friends I have here are illiterate (q?n'fi ql{,f{ 6{ q'fl $-rss-q-{
(T-<mEqTqvr<Tfr<r-< r)

qK{r-< qq@ts q<llrl qscEl< qsqK cdET a-< r

 Grammar : Articles 787

EXERCISEI Use articles in the blanks.

(1) Our exam has come to close.
(21 We went out for walk.
(3) Do not tell lie ; speak truth.
(4) Flour is sold by seer (m<).
(5) Do not make noise in-the class.
Ans. SOME ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES 6h"l I

GRAND EXERCISE
i:i;'
lN. B. qi qqilcT <t ftg firrlq \ol {fr erq-stc< qls-s o-+cs ute e<( A Gl{
<rcr< emlq st< q.lg<]q Ets rls, Elqrq, frcxt exercise-q< E&fr qrff< E-s<
fis r E-g-< cq.s{r< qrBrqiBrql{ EFr<tRs_gl<tt o-*re qc< rl
1. A, an, e the-€E ffi qq article 9t qlr sRrq fro< "1-+-{q EF t{'l
T.?T 3

(a) a €n( 3p {a[-nite article.

b) the qq-nite article.
(c) qu-<]u< 6frF word q< EelF consonant an-$fq Eld q-Ctt--TCC I

(d)qF-{IF;T CSFI word-€l Qcf(T vowel clfsrq ioFl qlC{ <Cq t

(e) 6el{ ftgrc fiffi Tt{ {<Ilr{ E?E \51-{ qlc't'Tc{ I

2. Frt5-{ rldi-{4QrEks el.Tlqft{ arricle T{l€ 3

(a) I have horse. h) This is apple. (c) He reads
-Quran everyday. (d)
ant is moving towards (fir+) its hole (4(;. (e) She has pet cat.
3. qFKI qtF cs {F-fiFT 6sFt word consonant fq-ca ew E?{ q< glcEt a
Ec{ r frq q]r<-str Rw qq 6sFf word q< qcl{ q'fr vt-< h + vowel q{1 q6{,
q<( & h qr-{F sTETRE calrs "K<-q vowelfr ffiE qcq, & word 4l glcrt
an {64 I q<I{ ERCE frr5< t{i-A{ erEt'I(cl S3 S

for.hour. (d) He is-hono (u) rable teacher. (e) He has bought-

good house. (f) The king left-heir (€Tl=l = ffi). k)What-hot
dav! (h) What-
honest
q{ qalF vowel qll$-rq {F-fitr{ q3f qlCtl an il-C{ 1 fi5-E 4 word
4. Word
,ffi B6L<ct 'wa'Rl 'eRI'-q{ re qtq EK qlcrt a {cvt I €rTI3r frcD< T{tt{ erEI tffl
cI 3

is--obscure tEclftqll ptay ({tro). (b) Give him-one taka note. (e) We
man in the street.
5. Word-€K QalC{ vowel qmS-[E q<( gfi 'ew'(I 'T€"-q< ls qfq
\5K qrsi a {C{, an-irt r ec-${ E,IqrE fir6<.F'tqerEt
'Fcl s-{ s
 188 A Passage to the English Language
(a) Thev have-ewe (Fq).
b) She is-up-to-date girl. (c) This seems
to be-utopian scheme. (b) The u. N. o, sent ultimatum (r-<{ er€)
to the
nation. (e) There is--university at Khulna. (f) Wf,at__uniqu"
!, (g)-union leader said this to the' *unujnr. (hi'H;
:lp_llu"ity
boueht-um brella.
6. Abbreviation-4i gat{ qS< qCe€ G
"or,ronunt
vowel sound qfCC'\5Qffi vl{ Ef|rt an TCT I q<k frtT-{ rl{l"f{srEt fici S-< s
account with t
A. (c) Is your father-S.
:!.it B. B. S. doctor is needed.
.i- 7. Singular common noun (countab@
qFF csFl {-<m El{(s sl{ qtcrl a,/an T[-{ r g.lRr{
frrx <r$].erefts €tc{tq-q

(a, )ne ls beautitut girl. (b) you need aAparaia room- lsa
(d) wnar nne
\Q/ What picture lt
fine plcture it ist (e) lt
isl {e) It is too big task
tisk for me. (f) r I saw flower in
his hand (g) You are not coward.
8. I{t6B s?< T{flrE noun €i qk{ the <C{ I q<F EtCcq
Et.slq+{e!-6{theT{ts e
in garden. nows me.

9. :s-s$srEl qfqqT (unique)

s)l ct Q:FIR rrq
familiar 'the' ; possessive objective-q<
the cs
'tk{d
possessive 'the' <Fl-dE C{ (qtq qcq E?) qTqfqT T{{CS TlryCE common
noun €31 gtC{ generalizing 'the' <jTqE qT; q<( C$XqTfus
ffr f<r-fCs
instrumenial 'the'nr{d-s ET (T6{ qEq E?) \r-i.{q frrD-{ <lqerqks qr$MftT
{fi the <qls q<( & the-e< ?<FtEi {l-+ 4qE <-{ r

10. The + noun/geruna + ot

<fsiE[EI6s Et-stqft{ qlr{ the <'fis s
\d/ nonesry ot rne man rs known to all.
(b) Reading of bad books is not a good habit. (e) Industry
of ant is an
example to us. (d) Water of this pond is turbid (CElEl)
proper noun €K Vkl the <fq I qqC{
errTqfrTQ-othe<{le e

S. R.
'. p"'iil i' rom
t.i (d) He lives in U.
brother live in U. A. E."'''i-piit;;i'A;;
K. but his
. (c({w qf<-{ qTfrflE)
 Grammar : Articles 189

12. fi(E'{ t{r{l{ a, an, il the FIIrg e

(a) is one of the seven wonders of the world. (b)-

Padma is big river. (c)-more man gets-more he wants. (d)
-tu, (ET:fl)-man he is! (e) I sdw-one-eyed man in the
How cheerful
sireet. (f) Do not give a looking glass to--blind; but give him-
walking stick. (g)-cow gives us milk. (h)-1]onest man can say
so. (i)-Help him- here bv.:hand' fi) Hi,s father is---S' P' (k) This
islunique opportunity. (l)-Sold of this ring is pure.(o)(m) He has
gone to-doior. (n) ihe work has come to-end. I have not
ieen--:--university. (p) It takes two to make----quarrel' (q) Man has
'*'-*ffi
not get'landed on-Mars.
qF r' q< EE
f S. cf.l{ word q< 9ttt article <qC{ E?F & article-fr adjective
FIgi <163 tfrqF article-R adjective. ffi <t+l 'tfq ft< ct eeII< c-sisl EIl"i
s-{ r

14. Article-€:{ <KqI6{ W Etn <f$I ft c8s Sc<? c{tr Eql-<<q fiirl q&fr
<IrSi @q article Tl{Qe {E sl <lFBlfit t