article
article — noun
1. a short text written about one topic that appears in a printed publication or on
a short text written about one topic that appears in a printed publication or on a website, usually alongside other texts.
Linnea wrote an article about climate change for the school magazine.
article about [topic] for [publication]
The newspaper published an interesting article on the history of coffee.
article on [topic]
Have you read the article in this morning's paper about the new bridge?
Dr. Mateo's article appeared on the front page of the science journal.
I found a useful online article that explains how to grow tomatoes at home.
文法句型
article on/about [topic]
article in [publication]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'on' or 'about' for the topic, and 'in' for the publication.
常見錯誤
2. in English grammar, a small word placed before a noun to show whether it refers
in English grammar, a small word placed before a noun to show whether it refers to something general (a, an) or to something already known (the).
Many languages, like Russian and Japanese, do not use articles before nouns.
use articles before [nouns]
Olu's teacher explained when to use the definite article 'the'.
the definite article
Beginners often forget to add an article when they speak English.
In the sentence 'a dog ran past', the word 'a' is the indefinite article.
- determiner
broader grammatical term that includes articles plus this/that/some
文法句型
the definite/indefinite article
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1: this sense always refers to the grammatical category (a, an, the), never to a piece of writing. Often paired with 'definite' or 'indefinite'.
常見錯誤
3. one specific object, especially when grouped with similar objects — for example,
one specific object, especially when grouped with similar objects — for example, a single shirt within a wardrobe of clothes, or one chair among the furniture in a room.
Xander packed every article of clothing into one small suitcase.
article of clothing
The thief took several articles of jewelry from the bedroom drawer.
articles of jewelry
Please leave any sharp articles in the tray before entering the gallery.
Each article in the museum has a small label with its date and origin.
Linnea searched the lost-and-found box for an article that matched her missing scarf.
文法句型
article of [category]
an article of clothing/furniture
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' plus a category noun (clothing, furniture, jewelry, value). Slightly formal — in everyday speech 'item' or 'thing' is more common.
常見錯誤
4. one of the numbered sections that make up a legal text — for example, a contract
one of the numbered sections that make up a legal text — for example, a contract, treaty, or constitution — with each section setting out one specific rule or condition.
Article 9 of the contract explains how either side can end the agreement.
Article [number] of [document]
The lawyer asked Citlali to read the first three articles of the lease carefully.
Under article 12, both countries must protect the rights of refugees.
The treaty contains thirty articles covering trade, travel, and security.
Mrs. Wong added a new article to the company rules about working from home.
文法句型
Article [number]
under article [number]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: a legal article is part of a longer document and usually carries a number, whereas a newspaper article stands alone. Often capitalised when followed by a number ('Article 5').
常見錯誤
5. in British legal practice, the time a trainee spends working inside a law firm t
in British legal practice, the time a trainee spends working inside a law firm to gain practical experience before fully qualifying as a solicitor.
Olu is doing her articles at a small firm in Manchester before she qualifies.
doing one's articles
Citlali served his articles under a senior solicitor specialising in family law.
serve one's articles
After two years in articles, she finally became a fully qualified lawyer.
Most graduates apply for articles at several firms during their final year of study.
- traineeship
broader; covers training in any profession
- clerkship
American equivalent for a junior lawyer's training period
文法句型
do/serve one's articles
be in articles
用法筆記
Almost always plural and used with 'do', 'serve', or 'be in'. Mainly British; in American English, 'clerkship' or 'associate position' covers similar training.
常見錯誤
article — verb
1. to formally tie a young trainee to a company or senior professional through a wr
to formally tie a young trainee to a company or senior professional through a written agreement, so that the trainee learns the job over an agreed number of years.
At sixteen, Citlali was articled to a local printer for five years.
be articled to [person]
Olu was articled to a respected London law firm right after finishing university.
passive: be articled to [firm]
Many young carpenters in the 1800s were articled to a master craftsman in their town.
Her grandfather had been articled to a watchmaker before opening his own small shop.
- apprentice
more general; can be used for any trade, not only legal training
- indenture
older formal legal term for binding by written contract
文法句型
be articled to [person/firm]
用法筆記
Almost always passive ('was articled to'). Closely linked to noun sense 5; today it is mostly historical or used in formal legal training contexts.