What is article? Pronunciation and usage in English

article means . Learn how to pronounce and use article through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of article

articlenoun

/ˈɑːtɪkl/
Definition & pronunciation of article

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "article" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The General Sound:

  • "Ar": This part is pronounced like the "ar" in "car" or "far." (Think of a short "a" sound followed by a "r" sound).
  • "ticle": This part is pronounced like "tickle." Focus on the "tick" sound, with a slightly clipped "l" at the end.

2. Putting it Together:

The full pronunciation is roughly:

** /ˈɑːrtɪkl/ ** (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈɑːrt - The first syllable ("art") has a broad "a" sound, like in "father." It's a longer "a" sound than in "car."
  • ɪk-əl – The second syllable ("ick-ul") has a very short "i" sound (like in "bit") and a very quick "l" sound.

3. Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Don't stress the "t" too much. It's often softened.
  • Don't pronounce the "t” as a distinct “t,” it almost becomes a part of the “r” sound in this word.
  • Listen to native speakers. The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "article" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/article/ (This site has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.)
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce article" and you'll find many videos.

4. Common Mispronunciations:

  • Saying "ar-TIC-le": Incorrect rhythm and stress.
  • Over-emphasizing the "t": It’s almost blended into the “r.”

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Some pronunciations vary slightly between English dialects.)

Usage and examples with the word article in English

Let's break down how to use the word "article" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by its different uses:

1. As a Noun (Most Common Usage - a Written Piece)

  • Definition: An article is a piece of writing, typically published in a newspaper, magazine, journal, or website. It’s a form of journalism, opinion, or academic work.
  • Examples:
    • "I read a fascinating article about the history of jazz music."
    • "The article in the New York Times detailed the latest economic trends."
    • “She wrote an article for her college’s literary magazine.”
    • "Please submit your article by Friday."
  • Types of Articles:
    • News Article: Reports on current events.
    • Feature Article: A longer, more in-depth piece focusing on a specific topic, often with a narrative style.
    • Opinion Article (Editorial): Presents the author’s viewpoint.
    • Academic Article (Journal Article): Published in a scholarly journal.

2. As a Noun (Grammatical Article - "a" or "an")

  • Definition: In English grammar, an article is a word that comes before a noun and indicates whether the noun is specific or general.
  • "a" vs. "an":
    • "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. (Even if the letter itself is a vowel!)
      • Example: “a dog” (the consonant sound is /d/)
      • Example: “a house” (the consonant sound is /h/)
    • "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.
      • Example: "an apple” (the vowel sound is /æ/)
      • Example: "an elephant” (the vowel sound is /e/)
  • Important Note: It’s about the SOUND, not just the letter. “An hour” is “an” because it starts with the vowel sound /h/.

3. As a Verb (Less Common)

  • Definition: To article is to write an article (specifically to draft or compose one).
  • Example: "The journalist will article a story about the local elections."

Here's a table summarizing the different ways to use "article":

Usage Definition Example
Noun (Writing) A piece of written content "I read an article online."
Noun (Grammar) "a" or "an" - words before a noun "I saw a cat."
Verb To write or draft an article “He’s articleing for the news.”

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you using "article" in? (e.g., are you writing a sentence, studying grammar, reading a newspaper?)

Synonyms for the word article

Practice with vocabulary article

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. She recently published an __________ in a prestigious journal about climate change.
  2. The manager asked me to review the __________ before the meeting tomorrow.
  3. He decided to write a __________ about his travels, but it turned into a short story instead.
  4. The __________ of the agreement was carefully reviewed by the legal team.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which term refers to a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine?
    a) Essay
    b) Article
    c) Report
    d) Letter

  2. What do you call a section of a formal document?
    a) Clause
    b) Paragraph
    c) Article
    d) Chapter

  3. Which word refers to a specific item?
    a) Object
    b) Article
    c) Thing
    d) Piece

  4. What is a synonym for "text"?
    a) Passage
    b) Paragraph
    c) Excerpt
    d) All of the above

  5. Which word is related to legal agreements?
    a) Clause
    b) Section
    c) Article
    d) All of the above

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She wrote a report on the latest market trends.
    Rewrite: She wrote an __________ on the latest market trends.

  2. Original: The professor assigned a chapter from the textbook.
    Rewrite: The professor assigned an __________ from the textbook.

  3. Original: The blog post was about healthy eating habits.
    Rewrite: The __________ was about healthy eating habits.

Answer

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. article
  2. document
  3. article
  4. wording

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Article
  2. c) Article
  3. b) Article
  4. d) All of the above
  5. d) All of the above

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She wrote an article on the latest market trends.
  2. The professor assigned an article from the textbook.
  3. The text was about healthy eating habits.

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