Articles

Def:  The words that uses to indicate noun is known as Articles. In other words a, an, the  is  called articles.They are of  two kinds:

1. The Definite  Article 

2. Indefinite  Article

The Definite  Article :
The is known as definite article.
Examples: The woman is old. The house is to let. The man is young.

Indefinite  Article:
A, An is called indefinite article.
Examples: A Kamran came here.  I eat an egg.  This is a ewe. She looked an owl and feared.

Use Of the:  

 1. Placed before particular or definite things or animals. 

As: The cat follows the rat. The novel is good. The book is mine. The man is pious. The boy is running. Let us start the play. The rat is always aware of the dog.
2.Placed before singular common noun.

As: The goat lives on grass.  The rose looks fine. The sunflower faces to the sun. The rose is the sweetest of all flowers. The Arabian can speak Arabic well.

3. Placed before newspaper, pure religious,  or sacred book, and famous poem.
As: I read the Ittefaq. The Quran is a holy book. The Morning Star is a daily newspaper.  He reads the Holy Quran daily. John Milton wrote the Paradise Lost. Michel Modhusudhan Dutta wrote Meghnad Bod  epic.
4. Before mountains , islands,  desert, plain  or  high land and ship.
   As: The Himalayas are in Nepal.  It is a large mountain. The Andaman is under India.

5. Placed before historical events , well-known institution and goods.
As: He Battle of Panipath held between Humayun and Shersah.  The Tajmahal is a beautiful monument. The new market is situated near Dhaka University.
6. Placed before a country, place, meaningful geographical name.
 As: The Punjab is a land of five rivers. The USA is rich and powerful country. She starts for the UK. The USSR was a powerful country.
7.  Before historical  well - known institutions and  goods.
As:  The New Market  is near Dhaka University which is  called the oxford of the east. The rate of the daily necessary things are rising  day  by day. 
8. Before  planet, sub-planet, star, date, direction, etc.
As: The earth is round.  The moon shines at  night. The sun is floating  on  its orbit.  Our school faces the south.  He  was born  on the 16th July 1989.
9. Before Selection of Comparative degree.
As: Between Anne and Jane  Anne is the best. 
10. Before the superlative degree of adjective.
As: Kaniz is the best of all girls in class eight. 
Bulbul is the best boy in the class. 
11. Before Comparative degree of an adverb.  As: The sooner, the better. 
12. To compare with the person as same quality with whom is compared. As: Nazrul is the Byron of Bangladesh.  Narayangonj is the Dundee of Bangladesh. Kaikobad  is the Milton of Bangladesh.  Barishal is the Venice of Bangladesh.
13. Before cast or class.

As: The rich are not always happy.  The poor lived from  hand  to mouth. The virtuous are happy.  The poor are not unhappy.

14. Before  Abstract  idea  to mean  common  Noun. As: The  mother rose in her piteous sight. Check the beast in you.

15. Before occupation or profession.   As: She joined the bar yesterday.

16. Abstract noun of particular place or kind. 
 As: The rice of Barishal is fine.
 The water of this  pond is clear. 17. Before  an abstract noun to indicate  quality  of  person  and  things.
As: The kindness of Mohsin is known to all.  The knowledge of Munsi Meher Ullah was  known to all at that period.
18. Before  same person or thing.
As: Mr. Faruque is the Headmaster of the School. It is an ant. The ant did a lot to live.
19. Before certain person.  As: Look at the orphan boy.  The boys plays football.
20. Before singular , plural, countable or uncountable noun.

As: The pen is blue. The books are red. The tea of Sylhet is  available. The  student is  meritorious.

Use of A: 

21. Before  a consonant.  As: He is a boy.  She is a girl. It is a dog.

22. Before uncertain person or thing.
As: A Rahim came here.  A Hasan came here. I see a bird.  I see a gang of robber. He is a doctor.

23. Before 'e' pronounced like 'yu' .
As: This is a ewe. She is a European. 

24. Before ' U ' pronounced like 'yu'.
As: She is a university student.  It is a unique picture. The cow is a useful animal. 

25. Before 'O' pronounced like 'wa'.
As: He is a one-eyed man.  That was a one -act play.  She gave the beggar a one -taka note. 

26. Before a noun to use  as proper or abstract noun.
As: A Mirzafar can destroy a nation. She is a Beauty.  You are a Bhashani. You are a Nazrul I see.  He is a Rabindranath. 

27. Before following words if they places before plural noun: few, little, good, lot of, great many, great deal of, good deal of etc.  As: A few persons were present there. Karun had a great deal of money. They have bought a lot of things.  The old man lived a great many years ago.  

28.  Before another noun  described  a man. As: He is a cricketer.  He is a teacher. 

29. Before singular common noun that takes the following words before it: quite, many, but, morn etc.   As: Robinson Crusoe was  quite a famous  sailor.  He is rather a brilliant student.  Not a person was present there.  

30. Before some phrases:   As: In a nutshell,  In a temper,  In a fix.. 

31. Before numerical expression: couple, dozen, hundred, thousand, million, score etc.
As: There are a thousand people.  Here is a dozen of eggs.

32. Before each noun that compare between two words.
As: He is both a farmer and a businessman. It is as essential as a pen or a paper. 

Use of 'An'

33. Before the word beginning with a vowel.   As: This is an egg. I saw an ant.  It is an ink-pot.  He gave me an orange.  I have an uncle called Habib. There is an ugly bird called crow. He is an uncle as his age.

34. Before uncertain  noun that indicate person or thing . As: An Alam came here.  I have an umbrella. I saw an owl and ran away.

35. Before 'h' pronounced as 'au' .   As: Mr. Habib is an honest man.  Mr. Hakim was also an honest man.  Sixty minutes makes an hour.

36. Before the word with 'h' where stress adds on second syllable.  As: I shall stay in an hour.  This is an historical place.  He is an historian. 

 37. Before consonant pronounced like vowel.  As: He is an M.A. My uncle is an S.D.O.    Mr. Hussen is an M.P. Sumana  is an F.R.C.S.  Mr. Manik is an LLB.  Sehab is an M.L,A..

 38. Before a proper noun used as common noun.  As: An Akbar can save the nation . An Abraham can save the American from war.

39.  Before a noun describe by noun.  As: He had an opportunity to do the work.

40. Before before each noun that uses to compare between two nouns.  As  : He is neither an engineer nor an architect.

Omission of Articles:

Omission of article means no article is placed.

41. Before man as a nation.    As: Man is mortal.

42. Before  disease: As: He rescued from fever, Rahim is died of Cholera. Hamida suffers from malaria.

43. Before  language: He knows French well. She is expert in English. I am an M.A in English.

44. Normally before mountain or island. As: Everest is a large mountain. Hokkaido is an   island.

45. Before  father, mother or nearest relatives. As: Mother loves her child. Mother is not at home. Father is not at office.

46. Before God, Heaven, Hell, and Paradise. As: God is almighty. Allah is all in all in the universe. Paradise has yet no charm for me .

47. Before plural common noun. As: Cows eat grass. Lions are found in the deep forest.
48. Before phrase: As: He is  quite at home in algebra. Don't make a noise in the class.
49. Before proper noun, any designation or class. As: Mr. John , the Principal of this  college  is an  old man. 
Source: From the  note of Md. Moheb Ullah
mhb.mian@gmail.com
http://www.ziddu.com/download/14688031/articles.pdf.html

Proverbs

English Proverbs

□ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □ □

■ A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

(an inefficient man complains with his tools)

■ A beggar may sing before a pickpocket.

(a beggar has nothing to lose)

■ A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

(one today is worth two in the bush)

■ A burnt child fears the fire or dreads the fire.

(experience teach us caution)

■ A cat has nine lives.

(a cat is more tenacious of life than any animals.)

■ A drowning man catches at a straw.

(while there is life there is hope.)

■ Adversity often leads to prosperity.

(misery has its sequel in happiness)

■ A friend in need is a friend indeed.

(a true friend is one to depend upon in trouble)

■ After clouds comes fair weather.

(happiness follows misery.)

■ After death comes doctor.

(to be wise after the event)

■ After meat comes mustard.

(hunger waits for no delicacy.)

■ After sweetmeat comes sour sauce.

(if you laugh today, you may cry tomorrow)

■ A good beginning is a half the battle.

(a good start of war, a clear sign of victory.)

■ A little learning is a dangerous thing.

(shallow knowledge turns one’s head.)

■ All covet, all lost.

(grasp all, lose all)

■ All feet tread not in one shoe.

(as many men, so many minds.)

■ All his geese are swans.

(one’s own things are the best.)

■ All seems yellow to the jaundiced eye.

(to a biased mind everything is in fault.)

■ All’s well that ends well

(it is a right if it turns out well in the end.)

■ All that glitter is not gold.

(trust not appearance)

■ All things come to him who waits.

(tarry longs bring much home.)

■ A man is known by the company he keeps.

(one can know the character of a man from his friends.)

■ An as that is a common property, is always worst saddled.

(everybody’s business is nobody’s business.)

■ An Ethiopian will not change his skin.

(one’s own nature remains unchange.)

■ A penny saved is a penny earned.

(little savings make a mighty sum.)

■ A pet lamb makes a cross ram.

(too much indulgence spoils a child.)

■ A rolling stone gathers no moss.

(an unsteady fellow will never make good.)

■ Arthur could not control a woman’s tongue.

(none can control a woman’s tongue.)

■ Art is long life is short.

(life is too short for all that we have to learn.)

■ A serpent under the flower.

(treachery masked in friendship.)

■ As the evil, so is the remedy.

(a drastic remedy is necessary when things get very bad.)

■ A sleeping fox catches no poultry.

(an idle fellow can do nothing in life.)

■ As is the wind blows, you must set your sail.

(make the best of an opportunity.)

■ A stitch in time saves nine.

(remove a defect in time)

■ As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.

(as you brew, so you drink)

■ As you sow, so you reap.

(you must pay for the evil you do.)

■ A tree is known by its fruit.

(a man’s actual character is known by his action.)

B

■ Bachelor’s wives and maid’s children are always well taught.

(to be worried about things that do not matter.)

■ Barking dog seldom bite.

(angry words and threats lead to nothing worse.)

■ Before you marry, be sure of a house wherein to tarry.

(think twice before you take a risk.)

■ Beggars must not be choosers.

( those who seek favour must accept any term.)

■ Better an empty house than an ill tenant.

(better alone than in evil company)

■ Better late than never.

(it is better to do a thing later than never.)

■ Birds of a feather flock together.

(like draws like.)

■ Blood is thicker than water.

(the tie of kindred is real)

■ Blue are the hills that are far from us.

(distance lends enchantment to the view.)

■ Build castle in the air.

(indulge oneself in daydream.)

C

■ Call a spade a spade.

(speak plane and spare none.)

■ Carry coal to Newcastle.

(help one who needs no help.)

■ Cast pearls before swine.

(waste too good a thing on one least deserving.)

■ Catch at the shadow and lose the substance.

( a fantastic scheme of happiness.)

■ Charity begins at home.

(help yourself first, and then you can help others.)

■ Cleanliness is next to godliness.

( man is made god when he becomes clean.)

■ Cut off ones nose to spite one’s face.

( injure oneself in order that some one else may also be injured.)

■ Cut your coat according to your cloth.

( spend within your means.)

D

■ David and Jonathan.

( a pair of devoted friends.)

■ Diligence is the mother of good luck.

( hard work brings success.)

■ Discretion is the better part of valour.

( it is unwise to take unnecessary risks.)

■ Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.

( don’t be sure of a thing until it is yours.)

■ Do or die.

( risk all to win.)

E

■ Empty vessels sound much.

( too much talk ends in nothing.)

■ Every dog has his day.

( nobody prospers for ever.)

■ Every man is for himself.

( everyone looks after his own interest.)

■ Every shoe fits not every foot.

( it takes time to get used to things.)

■ Example is better than precept.

( it is better to do good than to preach.)

F

■ Fair words butter no parsnips.

(empty promise will not help anybody in distress.)

■ Familiarity breeds contempt.

( get to know a man better and you will have less respect for him.)

■ Faults are thick where love is thin.

( you find everything wrong with a person whom you do not love , less love more censure.)

■ First deserve, then desire.

( qualify yourself to fulfil your desire.)

■ Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

( the rush will undertake a thing from which the wise shrink.)

■ Forgiveness is a great virtue.

( forgive and forget.)

G

■ Give a dog a bad name and hang him.

( make much of a man when he serves your purpose and then discard him)

■ Give him an inch and he’ll take an heil.

( give no change to an intruder.)

■ Give the devil his due .

( be just even to one who does not deserve sympathy.)

■ God help those who help themselves.

( God favours those who spare no pains.)

■ Good wine needs no bush .

( a known man need no recommendation.)

■ Great minds think alike.

(men of higher thinking think the same thing.)

H

■ Harm watch, harm catch.

(to be over cautious is to be trapped. )

■ Haste makes wastes.

( unnecessary hurry often causes bad thing.)

■ He can hardly keep the wolf from the door.

(he can not make both ends meet.)

■ He laughs best who laughs last.

( all’s well that ends well.)

■ He who has nothing to spare must not keep a dog.

( the needy should not be lavish of their gifts.

■ He who spits against the wind spits against his own face.

( he that touches pitch shall be defeated therewith.)

■ Honesty is the best policy.

( it pays to be honest.)

■ Hunger is the best sauce.

( hunger gives taste to our food.)

I

■ Indolence is the mother of poverty.

( the indolent on never thrive.)

■ It is never too late to mend.

( there is always time for rectifying a wrong.)

■ It is no use crying over spilt milk.

(let bygones be bygones.)

■ It takes two to make a quarrel.

( both are to blame in quarrel.)

J

■ Jack of all trades, master of none.( one doesn't do many things fairly well.)

K

■ Knowledge is power.

( knowledge rules the world.)

■ Know thyself.

(examine your own mind.)

L

■ Let bygones by bygones.

( let the dead past bury its dead.)

■ Let sleeping dogs lie.

( it is useless to deal with the vile.)

■ Like cures like.

( one poison is antidote against another poison. )

■ Look before you leaf.

( think before you act.)

■ Love is blind.

(one may fall in love with anybody.)

M

■ Make hay while the sun shines.

( as the wind blows you must set your sail.)

■ Many a little makes a mickle.

( many a penny makes a pound.)

■ Many drops make a shower.

( drops of water make the ocean.)

■ Misfortune never comes alone.

( one misfortune follows in the wake of another. )

■ Much ado about nothing .

( too much fuss and little is done.)

N

■ Necessity is the mother of good luck.

( urgent need impels one to device means.)

■ Necessity knows no law.

( one is extreme want may resort to anything.)

■ Nero fiddles while Rome burns.

(to make merry at the distress of others.)

■ None but a fool is always right.

( to err is human.)

■ No pains no gains.

( strive and you will win.)

■ No smoke without fire.

( there can be no effect without a cause.)

■ Nothing succeds like success.

( success leads to success.)

■ Nothing venture, nothing have.

( no risk no gain.)

O

■ Oh the times ! oh the manners.

( the old merry times are no more.)

■ Oil your own machine.

( mind your own business.)

■ One beats the bush , another catches the bird.

( one sows another reaps.)

■ One is not so soon healed as hurt.

( it takes more time tobuild up than to pull down.)

■ One man’s meat is another man’s poison.

( what is sport to the cat is death to the rat. )

■ One swallow does not make a summer.

( Now you get the best of me, but my turn will come again.)

■ Out of debt out of danger.

( One having no debt in happy.)

■ Out of sight out of mind.

( absence begets forgetfulness.)

P

■ Patience is better, but it fruits is sweet.

( wait and see, patience, however painful in the beginning, brings happiness in the end.)

■ Penny-wise, pound-foolish.

( thrifty is small things and careless in large ones.)

■ Practice makes a man perfect.

( do a thing again and again and it will come alright.)

■ Praise a fair day at night.

( suspend your judgement till the end. )

■ Pride goeth before destruction.

( pride has its fall.)

Q

■ Quit not certainly for hope.

( do not exchange the substance for the shadow.)

R

■ Riches have wings.

( fortune is fickle.)

■ Rob peter to pay Paul.

( to benefit one at the expense of another.)

■ Rome was not build in a day.

( worth-while achievements take time and perseverance. )

S

■ Self-help is the best help.

( depend on yourself and you will succeed.)

■ Set a thief to catch a thief.

(one nail drives out another.)

■ Slow and steady wins the race.

( Perseverance begets success. )

■ Something is better than nothing.

( half a loaf is better than no loaf.)

■ Spare the rod and spoil the child.

( children are better disciplined when they are afraid of bodily punishment. )

■ Strike the iron while it is hot.

( make hay while sun shine. )

T

■ The child is the father to the man.

( one’s childhood decides what one will be in later years. )

■ The devil would not listen to the scripture.

( you can not reform a rogue. )

■ The die is cast.

( final decision has been taken.)

■ The grapes are sour.

( one blames what one can not get. )

■ The leopard can not change its spots.

( one can not change one’s nature.)

■ The more, the merrier.

( it is all the better to have more than less.)

■ There are less to every wine .

( there is no unmixed good. )

■ There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip.

( many accidents may occur while success seems assured. )

■ The saucepan should not call the cattle black.

( one bad man should not call another bad man a rogue.)

■ The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches.

(none but the suffers knows his trouble. )

■ Those who live in glass-house should not pelt stones at others.

( those who deserves criticism, should not criticize others.)

■ Tit for tat.

(exact retaliation, a return is kind.)

■ To err is human.

(it is natural for man to make mistakes.)

■ To make a mountain of a mole hill.

( magnify trifles.)

■ Too many cooks spoil the broth.

( too many helpers make a mess of the thing.)

■ Too much cunning overreaches itself.

( a very cunning fellow seldom wins.)

■ To the pure all things are pure.

( no evil can touch the pure.)

■ Two heads are better than one.

(we stand or full together.)

■ Two is company , three is none.

( two people make friend ship, but three people cause a rift among them.)

U

■ United we stand , divided we fall.

( unity is strength, disruption is ruin. )

■ Unity is strength.

( Nothing can overcome us while we are united. )

V

■ Virtue is its own reward.

(a holy deed requires no outside reward for satisfaction.)

■ Virtue thrives best in adversity.

( suffering is the test of virtue.)

W

■ Waste not want not.

( be careful about your money and you will never be in want. )

■ We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.

(blessing are not valued till they are gone.)

■ What can’t be cured must be endured.

( one must submit to the inevitable. )

■ What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.

( things are mismanaged when too many are interested in them.)

■ What is sauce for the gander is not sauce for the goose.

( what suits one , may not suit another.)

■ What is sports to the cat is death to the rat.

( what is good for one may be harmful to another.)

■ When in Rome do as the Roman’s do.

(when you find yourselves among strangers, imitate their behaviour and avoid trouble.)

■ When the danger is gone , God is forgotten.

( we leave God alone when we are safe from danger. )

■ Where there is a will there is a way.

( a strong will carries everything before it.)

■ Where there is smoke there is fire.

( nothing can come out of nothing , every effect must have a cause.)

■ While there is a life , there is a hope.

(a drowning man catches a straw.)