Articles with Plural Nouns ENGLISH 2222

Indefinite articles, "a" and "an," modify singular nouns, but they are unnecessary for plural nouns. Plural nouns can either use a definite article or no article at all.

The definite article "the" precedes a noun when referring to something specific.

For example: "The phone is ringing."

Indefinite articles are used before nouns that are nonspecific within their category.

For example: "I bumped into a lady on the sidewalk."

This statement does not specify who the lady is, only that she is a lady.

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Plural nouns can be used with either the definite article or no article at all; using an indefinite article with plural nouns is incorrect.

For example: 

Incorrect: "I have a books in my locker." 

Correct: "I have books in my locker." 

Correct: "I have the books in my locker."

Similarly, it is unnecessary to use an indefinite article if there is an adjective in front of a plural noun.

For example: 

Incorrect: "When he is in public, he does an embarrassing things." 

Correct: "When he is in public, he does embarrassing things." 

Correct: "When he is in public, he does an embarrassing thing."

Another example: 

Incorrect: "When selecting courses, there are a many options to choose from." 

Correct: "When selecting courses, there are many options to choose from." 

However, if you want to specify a particular set of options, you can use the definite article with a plural noun:

"You may select courses from the many options available."