You have already learned that a singular countable noun takes an article or another determiner (articles, possessives or demonstratives) with it. A plural countable noun can be used with or without an article or another determiner.

Compare:

Children are curious. (Here we are talking about children in general.)

The students in my class are curious. (Here we use the article ‘the’ because we are talking about particular students – the ones in my class.)

Exercise

Read the following sentences and put a cross (X) mark against the incorrect ones. Correct them and write them out in the space provided.

1. Mangoes are delicious. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Cat drank all milk. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Cat chased mouse. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Give me your pen. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. She told me story. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. The boys were flying kites. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Dogs are faithful. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. I have pet dog. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. Please sing song. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. She makes delicious cakes. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

11. Here comes bus. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

12. Tiger is ferocious animal. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

13. Boy took out pen and started writing. ( ) …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

14. Look. There is spider on roof. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15. Roses are beautiful. ( ) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Solution

2. The cat drank all the milk.

3. The cat chased the mouse.

5. She told me a story.

8. I have a pet dog.

9. Please sing a song.

11. Here comes the bus.

12. The tiger is a ferocious animal.

13. The boy took out a / his pen and started writing.

14. Look. There is a spider on the roof.