Meaning & use
the Articles of Confederation
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Meaning
proper nounproper
The first written plan of government for the United States, in force from 1781 until the Constitution replaced it in 1789.
Grammar: Always takes 'the' and capital letters; it is the name of one document, so do not say 'an Articles of Confederation'.
Patterns
- under the Articles of Confederation
- the Articles of Confederation was
- adopted the Articles of Confederation
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government had very little power to tax.
The Articles of Confederation was replaced by the Constitution in 1789.
Historians often study the Articles of Confederation to understand why the states wanted a stronger central government.
Common combinations
- under the Articles of Confederation
- Under the Articles of Confederation, each state kept most of its own authority.
- adopt the Articles of Confederation
- The states adopted the Articles of Confederation during the Revolutionary War.
- replace the Articles of Confederation
- Leaders met in Philadelphia to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new plan.
- the Articles of Confederation government
- The Articles of Confederation government could not raise money directly from citizens.
Synonyms and how they differ
- the Articles
- A short form used after the full name has appeared once; not suitable as the first mention in formal writing.
Word family
- confederation noun
- A union of separate states or groups that keep their own power.
- confederate adjective
- Relating to a confederation or an alliance of states.
- article noun
- One numbered section of a formal document such as a treaty or constitution.
Commonly confused: the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution?
the Articles of Confederation vs the Constitution
The Constitution is the later, current framework of U.S. government; the Articles of Confederation came before it and gave the central government much less power.
Practice
Which sentence uses the name correctly?
Choose one answer.
The name needs 'the' and the plural 'Articles', and it fits after 'under' to describe the period. Option A drops 'the', C uses the wrong singular title, and D wrongly adds 'a' before a plural proper name.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the Articles of Confederation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.