Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
An indefinite article is an article that marks an indefinite noun phrase. Indefinite articles are those such as English " a " or "an", which do not refer to a specific identifiable entity. Indefinites are commonly used to introduce a new discourse referent which can be referred back to in subsequent discussion:
The articles in English are the definite article the and the indefinite articles a and an.They are the two most common determiners.The definite article is the default determiner when the speaker believes that the listener knows the identity of a common noun's referent (because it is obvious, because it is common knowledge, or because it was mentioned in the same sentence or an earlier sentence).
Headlines, which often simplify grammar for space or punchiness, frequently omit both definite and indefinite articles. Maps will typically include definite articles in the title, but omit them from the map image itself (e.g., Maldives, Sahara, Arctic Ocean, Andes, Elbe); however, exceptions may be made (e.g., The Wash, The Gambia).
The definite or indefinite article is sometimes included in the official title of literary works as well as other kinds of fiction and non-fiction publications and works such as newspapers, films and visual artworks. In this case, the article should be included in the name of the corresponding Wikipedia article as well. For example,
There is no definite or indefinite article in Latin, so that rēx can mean "king", "a king", or "the king" according to context. Priscian, or the Grammar, marble cameo panel dated 1437–1439 from the bell tower of Florence, Italy, by Luca della Robbia. The scene is an allegory of grammar and, by implication, all of education.
An indefinite or definite article is capitalized only when at the start of a title, subtitle, or embedded title or subtitle. For example, a book chapter titled "An Examination of The Americans: The Anachronisms in FX's Period Spy Drama" contains three capitalized leading articles (main title "An", embedded title "The", and subtitle "The").
The WP article discusses the concept of plural indefinite articles and gives the English word some as an example. However, it lacks a citation supporting this definition. I marked that paragraph as needing citation. I did so because the entry for indefinite article in Oxford English Dictionary does not include plurals:
Most Affected People and Areas, also known by its acronym MAPA, [1] is a term [2] that represents groups and territories disproportionately affected by climate change, such as women, indigenous communities, racial minorities, LGBTQIA+ people, young, older and poorer people and the Global South. [3]