Does it sound that bad when one doesn't use articles when he speaks?

Question

Articles are those "a" "an" and "the" things before nouns. I don't think I will ever learn to use them properly, so I've been considering dropping them. Would my speech sound very bad? I don't mean dropping them entirely - but sometimes, when I am not sure.

Answer 1

It should not be much of problem. Only possible problem you might have would be slight awkwardness in your conversation. Fortunately, in this day and age, world is more likely to accept stuttering and forgetting articles.

One word of advice, however. If job interview comes up, you may want to insert article or two. To talk like this in professional setting seems almost rude, mostly due to choppy nature of speech. Articles allow transition that makes for smoother speech.

That is all help I can give you.

P.S. How many articles did I use?

Answer 2

Well, for a start, you didn't use a single article in the question you just phrased. This goes to show that they are rather useless, and can be substituted by more descriptive words such as those, these, them, etc., which convey more meaning anyway. Articles can be quite vague, and so I avoid them when possible. They really aren't very necessary for any language - Latin uses no articles whatsoever, for example.

Answer 3

That is funny question. It makes me sound like alien from outer space don't you think? This way of speaking does sound odd and can make people a little irritated (depending on their mood).

I understand how hard it must be, inserting something that seems so foreign. But that is our language. I would suggest that you not try to rush it. The more you hear it, the more you will get used to hearing it and using it will follow suit. :o)

Answer 4

Not something you want to use in a meeting, that's for sure. Not using them makes you sound very uneducated. A lot of people confuse "a" and "an" or just don't know how to use them. Just follow the rule that if it begins with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) use "an".

Answer 5

You would sound as though you are not as smart as you are.

"Today, problem that we face is greater threat than things we have faced just few years ago.

"Wise man once said, when going get tough, tough get going. Logic behind statement is important consideration..."

Who will listen to you if you sound like an old Charlie Chan film?

Answer 6

When would you not be sure when to use them? Maybe I need a better explanation of why you don't know when to use them. Maybe it is just me because I am majoring in English.

Good luck!

But you may sound funny at times if you don't use them.

Answer 7

You would sound like a foreign person who came here and just "learned" most of the language. 'An' preceeds a word that start with a vowel or one that sounds like one... "In an hour" "In a week"

Answer 8

It can sound pretty unnatural. Especially when you need to differentiate between a specific object (the), or any one of the same (a, an).

Here's the Difference, wrong way first:
"I went to store, and bought apple."

"I went to the store, and bought an apple."

See the difference?

Answer 9

Well, looks like you've started already. Other than stating them as an example, you didnt use them at all in your reasoning....lol

Who cares...Talk however you want...What do others care? Although it might be hard to land a good job....

Answer 10

not necessarily. certain times you WILL need to use them but during normal conversations, not really necessary. Helps to articulate every now and then but no one will deem you an idiot or less civilized by not using them