Article vs. Preposition — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
An article is a word used to modify a noun (e.g., "a," "an," "the"), while a preposition is a word that shows a relationship between nouns or pronouns and other elements in a sentence (e.g., "in," "on," "at").
Difference Between Article and Preposition
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Article and Preposition are essential elements in English grammar, but they serve different purposes. An Article is a word that is used before a noun to indicate whether the noun refers to a specific item or a general one. In English, there are three articles: "a," "an," and "the." On the other hand, a Preposition is a word that establishes a relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in the sentence.
In terms of function, an Article helps in identifying the noun and its definiteness or indefiniteness. For example, using the article "the" before a noun specifies that the noun is definite or particular. Using "a" or "an" makes the noun indefinite. In contrast, a Preposition indicates a spatial, temporal, or logical relationship. It connects nouns or pronouns to other elements, providing context.
Another point of difference lies in their placement. An Article always comes before a noun or an adjective that modifies the noun. For instance, "the car" or "a beautiful painting." A Preposition, however, can be found before a noun or pronoun, forming a prepositional phrase, such as "on the table" or "in a hurry."
Understanding the roles of both Articles and Prepositions is crucial for effective communication. While an Article lends clarity to which noun is being discussed, a Preposition offers details on how nouns relate to other parts of the sentence, enriching the meaning and context.
Comparison Chart
Function
Modifies a noun for specificity.
Indicates a relationship.
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Examples
"a," "an," "the."
"in," "on," "under," "with," "by."
Placement
Before a noun or modifying adjective.
Before a noun/pronoun in a phrase.
Type of Relationship
Defines specificity of a noun.
Spatial, temporal, or logical.
Contribution to Meaning
Gives context to the noun.
Gives context to sentence relations.
Compare with Definitions
Article
A determiner that introduces a noun.
A book on the shelf caught my eye.
Preposition
A word that starts a prepositional phrase.
The kids played beside the river.
Article
A term that indicates the definiteness of the noun it precedes.
The sun is shining brightly.
Preposition
A word governing a noun/pronoun to express a relation.
The cat is on the roof.
Article
A particular item or object
Small household articles
Articles of clothing
Preposition
A linguistic tool that provides context in sentences.
She sat with her friend.
Article
A piece of writing included with others in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication
An article about middle-aged executives
Preposition
A modifier indicating time, place, or logical relationship.
The class begins in ten minutes.
Article
A separate clause or paragraph of a legal document or agreement, typically one outlining a single rule or regulation
It is an offence under Article 7 of the Treaty
Preposition
A word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause, as in ‘the man on the platform’, ‘she arrived after dinner’, ‘what did you do it for?’.
Article
A period of training with a firm as a solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant
It may be worth taking articles in a specialized firm
He is already in articles
Preposition
A word or phrase placed typically before a substantive and indicating the relation of that substantive to a verb, an adjective, or another substantive, as English at, by, with, from, and in regard to.
Article
The definite or indefinite article.
Preposition
To position or place in position in advance
Artillery that was prepositioned at strategic points in the desert.
Article
Bind (a trainee solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant) to undergo a period of training with a firm in order to become qualified
He was articled to a firm of solicitors in York
Preposition
Any of a class of non-inflecting words typically employed to connect a following noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense, with some other word: a particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in the objective case) to make a phrase limiting some other word.
Article
An individual thing or element of a class; a particular object or item
An article of clothing.
Articles of food.
Preposition
An adposition.
Article
A particular section or item of a series in a written document, as in a contract, constitution, or treaty.
Preposition
(obsolete) A proposition; an exposition; a discourse.
Article
A nonfictional literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.
Preposition
To place in a location before some other event occurs.
It is important to preposition the material before turning on the machine.
Article
The part of speech used to indicate nouns and to specify their application.
Preposition
A word employed to connect a noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense, with some other word; a particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in the objective case) to make a phrase limiting some other word; - so called because usually placed before the word with which it is phrased; as, a bridge of iron; he comes from town; it is good for food; he escaped by running.
Article
Any of the words belonging to this part of speech. In English, the indefinite articles are a and an and the definite article is the.
Preposition
A proposition; an exposition; a discourse.
He made a long preposition and oration.
Article
A particular part or subject; a specific matter or point.
Preposition
A function word that combines with a noun or pronoun or noun phrase to form a prepositional phrase that can have an adverbial or adjectival relation to some other word
Article
To bind by articles set forth in a contract, such as one of apprenticeship.
Preposition
(linguistics) the placing of one linguistic element before another (as placing a modifier before the word it modifies in a sentence or placing an affix before the base to which it is attached)
Article
A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
Preposition
A term showing how two parts of a sentence are connected.
The book is under the table.
Article
An object, a member of a group or class.
An article of clothing
A sales article
Article
(grammar) A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
Article
A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
The Articles of War are a set of regulations...to govern the conduct of...military...forces
Article
A genuine article.
Article
A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer.
Article
A person; an individual.
A shrewd article
Article
(archaic) A wench.
She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
Article
(dated) Subject matter; concern.
Article
(dated) A distinct part.
Article
(obsolete) A precise point in time; a moment.
Article
(transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.
To article an apprentice to a mechanic
Article
(obsolete) To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
Article
A distinct portion of an instrument, discourse, literary work, or any other writing, consisting of two or more particulars, or treating of various topics; as, an article in the Constitution. Hence: A clause in a contract, system of regulations, treaty, or the like; a term, condition, or stipulation in a contract; a concise statement; as, articles of agreement.
Article
A literary composition, forming an independent portion of a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.
Article
Subject; matter; concern; distinct.
A very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding.
This last article will hardly be believed.
Article
A distinct part.
The articles which compose the blood.
Article
A particular one of various things; as, an article of merchandise; salt is a necessary article.
They would fight not for articles of faith, but for articles of food.
Article
Precise point of time; moment.
This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.
Article
One of the three words, a, an, the, used before nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is called the indefinite article, the the definite article.
Article
One of the segments of an articulated appendage.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
If all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.
Article
To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.
He shall be articled against in the high court of admiralty.
Article
To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to article an apprentice to a mechanic.
Article
To agree by articles; to stipulate; to bargain; to covenant.
Then he articled with her that he should go away when he pleased.
Article
Nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
Article
One of a class of artifacts;
An article of clothing
Article
A separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
Article
(grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase
Article
Bind by a contract; especially for a training period
Article
A word that precedes and modifies a noun.
The dog is barking.
Article
A member of a small class of words signaling specificity.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Article
A word that classifies nouns as specific or general.
I saw a movie yesterday.
Common Curiosities
What is the primary role of an article?
An article modifies a noun, indicating its specificity.
Can a preposition show time-related context?
Yes, prepositions like "at," "on," and "in" can indicate time.
Are articles always necessary before nouns?
Not always, some nouns don't require an article.
Can you give an example of a prepositional phrase?
Yes, "on the table" is a prepositional phrase.
Which article is used before vowels?
"An" is used before nouns starting with vowel sounds.
What's an example of a preposition showing logic?
The word "because" can show a logical reason or cause.
What is the main function of a preposition?
A preposition shows a relationship between nouns/pronouns and other sentence elements.
How many types of articles are there?
There are three articles: "a," "an," and "the."
Is it wrong to end a sentence with a preposition?
While debated, it's acceptable in many contexts in modern English.
Are there fixed positions for prepositions?
Generally, they come before a noun/pronoun, but their position can vary.
Do all languages have articles?
No, not all languages use articles in grammar.
Can articles be omitted in informal speech?
Yes, sometimes articles are dropped in colloquial expressions or informal speech.
What is the role of a preposition in a sentence?
It connects nouns or pronouns to other parts, providing context.
Do articles change based on noun gender?
In English, no. Articles remain consistent regardless of noun gender.
Can the omission of an article change a sentence's meaning?
Yes, omitting an article can alter the definiteness or meaning of a noun.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
