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The document discusses the usage of the indefinite articles "a" and "an" as well as the definite article "the". It provides examples of when to use "a/an", such as before singular count nouns that are unfamiliar or unspecified. It also explains the different situations that call for using "the", such as with specific nouns, nouns already mentioned, superlatives, names of countries/bodies of water, and geographic areas. The document concludes with some exceptions when articles are not needed, like with general categories or abstract nouns. It includes exercises to practice applying the rules.

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Ibrahim Ghazal
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11 views

Articles

The document discusses the usage of the indefinite articles "a" and "an" as well as the definite article "the". It provides examples of when to use "a/an", such as before singular count nouns that are unfamiliar or unspecified. It also explains the different situations that call for using "the", such as with specific nouns, nouns already mentioned, superlatives, names of countries/bodies of water, and geographic areas. The document concludes with some exceptions when articles are not needed, like with general categories or abstract nouns. It includes exercises to practice applying the rules.

Uploaded by

Ibrahim Ghazal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Indefinite articles a and an are used to describe someone or something that is unfamiliar to you or

that does not need to be specified. A is used before nouns that begin with a consonant sound; an is
used before nouns that start with a vowel sound (this applies to sounds, not letters).
a banana an apple
a house an honest opinion
a unicorn an uprising

The indefinite articles a and an are used only before singular count nouns that are not specific or
are mentioned for the first time. Count nouns are things we can count (i.e., pen, movie, accident,
etc.). Count nouns can be singular (pen) or plural (pens). You can use a/an before singular count
nouns but not before plural count nouns.
 There’s a beach near here.
 There are a beaches near here.

 Do you have a ten-dollar bill?


 Do you have a ten-dollar bills?

Noncount nouns are things we cannot count. They are always singular. A/an is not used before
noncount nouns. However, you can often use an “a __ of” structure.
 a water  a music
 a drop of water  a piece of music

 a tennis  a sugar in my tea


 a game of tennis  a pinch of sugar in my tea

The English definite article is the. The is used before nouns to indicate that the specific identity of
that noun is already known or is about to be specified. There are several different situations in
which we use the definite article the.

 Use the when you are talking about something specific.


We all have an umbrella to bring today. (general)
The umbrella I brought won’t open. (specific)

 Use the when the speaker and the listener are talking about the same specific items.
We have a pretty big refrigerator. (general)
William, don’t forget to close the refrigerator! (specific)
 Use the once you’ve already referenced the noun a first time. After the first mention, the
noun is no longer general because it has been specified.
Juju and I bought a new computer last month. (first reference)
The computer lets us work from home. (second reference)

 Use the with the superlative form of an adjective, before most + adjective or before an
adjective that ends in -est.
Diamond rings are the most expensive items in this store.
My sister is the smartest girl in town.

 Use the before the names of countries that look plural, including countries that end in -s or
have the words united, union, republic, or kingdom.
 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  the Australia
 the United States  the Iran
 the Dominican Republic  the China

 Use the before most bodies of water, except individual lakes.


 the Mississippi River  the Lake Michigan
 the Great Lakes  the Crater Lake

 Use the before geographic parts of the globe and geographic areas, deserts, and peninsulas.
the equator the Gobi Desert
the Middle East the South

Placing a, an, or the before a noun is not always necessary. There are a few situations in which we
do not use any articles.

 Do not use articles when you talk about a category or group in general.
Cats can be great pets. (general)
The cats in the pet store are expensive. (specific)

 Do not use articles before abstract nouns, such as feelings or ideas.


 A person’s success depends on opportunity.
 A person’s success depends on the opportunity.

 Kindness is the greatest virtue.


 The kindness is the greatest virtue.
 Do not use articles before names of general meals.
What time is dinner? (general)
What time is the dinner outing tonight? (specific)

We had lunch at a very nice restaurant. (general)


We had a lunch date yesterday. (specific)

 Do not use articles before noun + number.


 Our plane leaves from Gate 10.
 Our plane leaves from the Gate 10.

Exercise 1. Fill in the blanks with the correct definite article (the) or indefinite article (a/an).
1. I took ____ taxi to the train station.
2. Does he know ____ man on the corner?
3. She has ____ secret to tell you.
4. Is there ____ bank near here?
5. Did you see ____ accident?
6. I can’t find ____ keys.

Exercise 2. Circle the correct noun or article + noun in the underlined parts of these sentences.
1. If you want to know the news, you can read paper/a paper.
2. Light/A light comes from the sun.
3. I was in a hurry this morning. I didn’t have time/a time for breakfast.
4. It’s very difficult to find job/a job at the moment.
5. We had wonderful time/a wonderful time on vacation.

Exercise 3. Add the where necessary. If the noun doesn’t need the indefinite article, leave the space empty.
1. I haven’t been to ____ movies for ages.
2. ____ TV was on, but nobody was watching it.
3. You’ll find ____ information you need at ____ top of ____ page 15.
4. Have you had ____ dinner yet?
5. I always say that ____ protein bars are ____ best snacks.

Exercise 4. Describe the change in meaning when the definite or indefinite article is used.
1. Did you buy a Ford or (a/the) Chevy?

2. Once I started coughing, I went to (the/a) doctor.

3. (The/A) sun is a star.

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