Underscore the correct article in the following sentences:
1. Bring me an--a apple.
2. He is a--an able orator.
3. A--an heir was born to the German King.
4. He built a--an house for his family.
5. He is an--a honest man.
6. He is a--an undertaker.
7. I had to take a--an upper berth.
8. He joined a--an union.
9. It is a--an unique book.
10. He is a--an unruly member of society.
11. He told a--an untruth.
12. He wears a--an uniform.
13. It is a--an honor to be chosen.
+253.+ When a singular noun is modified by several adjectives, only one
of the articles _an_ or _a_ must be used if the noun denotes but _one_
object; but if the noun denotes more than one object the article must be
repeated before each noun. For example, I say, _A red, white and blue
flag_. You know I mean but one flag, containing the three colors, red,
white and blue. But if I say, _A red, a white and a blue flag_, you know
I mean three flags, one red, one white, and one blue.
Note the use of the article in the following sentences:
He wears a black and white suit.
He wears a black and a white suit.
He sold a red and white cow.
He sold a red and a white cow.
He bought a gas and coal stove.
He bought a gas and a coal stove.
The first sentences in each of the above series refers to only one
object. The second sentences all refer to two objects.
+254.+ There are some rules concerning the article _the_ that it is well
to know because we do not always say what we wish to say, if we do not
observe these rules or customs of speech. For example, I say, _The
editor and publisher of this book is unknown_. I have used the article
_the_ but once, and I mean that the editor and publisher is one person.
But I may say, _The editor and the publisher of this book are well
known_. In this sentence I have used the article _the_ twice, _the_
editor and _the_ publisher, and I mean that the editor and the publisher
are two different persons.
So when two or more nouns following each other denote the same person or
thing, the article is not repeated, but when the nouns denote different
persons or things, the article must be repeated before each noun. Be
sure to use the proper form of the verb.
Note the following sentences and underscore the proper verb to complete
the meaning:
The secretary and treasurer were--was here.
The secretary and the treasurer were--was elected.
The singer and artist were--was with me.
The singer and the artist were--was on the program.
Sometimes we have two things so closely associated in use that they may
be considered as forming a single idea, so that we may use the article
before the first one only. For example:
The pen and ink is gone.
He bought a horse and buggy.
The bread and butter is on the plate.