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A An The

This document provides information about the articles "a", "an", and "the" in English. It explains that "a" and "an" are indefinite articles used to refer to nonspecific or general nouns, with "an" being used before words beginning with vowel sounds. The definite article "the" is used to refer to specific or particular nouns. It provides examples of the different uses of these articles and exercises for practice distinguishing between them.

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387 views27 pages

A An The

This document provides information about the articles "a", "an", and "the" in English. It explains that "a" and "an" are indefinite articles used to refer to nonspecific or general nouns, with "an" being used before words beginning with vowel sounds. The definite article "the" is used to refer to specific or particular nouns. It provides examples of the different uses of these articles and exercises for practice distinguishing between them.

Uploaded by

Kristen Muñoz
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Articles

a an

the
- TO STATE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

THE ARTICLES A, AN, AND THE.


What is an article?
It is an adjective.
It modifies a noun.
a = one person or one thing

a car
a small car
a small pink car
a = one person or one thing

a woman
a young woman
a friendly young woman
an before a e i o u sounds

an apple

an orange

an eggplant
a book

an interesting book
animal
a small animal
a or an?

1 Do you have ____ umbrella?


2 Id like to buy ____ hat, please.
3 Ill see you in ____ hour.
4 UWS is ____ university.
a or an?

1 Do you have an umbrella?


2 Id like to buy a hat, please.
3 Ill see you in an hour.
4 UWS is a university.

an before a e i o u sounds
a /an for occupations

What do you do?


Im a bus driver.

What does she do?


Shes an electrician.
Answers: Exercise 1
1 an old book
2 a window
3 a horse
4 an airport
5 a new airport
6 an organisation
7 a university
8 an hour
9 an economic problem
Answers: Exercise 2
1 A duck is a bird.
2 A carrot is a vegetable.
3 Tennis is a game.
4 A hammer is a tool.
5 Everest is a mountain.
6 Jupiter is a planet.
7 A pear is a fruit.
8 The Amazon is a river.
9 A rose is a flower.
10 A trumpet is a musical instrument.
Answers: Exercise 3
1 Shes a dentist.
2 Hes a shop assistant.
3 Shes a photographer.
4 Shes a taxi-driver.
5 Hes an electrician.
6 Shes a nurse.
7 Hes a private detective.
a/ an and the
1 2 3

Can you open a


window?

There are three windows here.


a window = window 1, 2 or 3
a / an and the

Can you open


the window?

There is only one window the window.


a / an and the
Ive got a dog.
(there are many dogs and Ive got one)

Im going to take the dog for a walk.


(the dog = my dog)

Is there a dentist in Granville?


(there are many dentists is there one here?)

I went to the dentist yesterday.


(the dentist = my dentist)

Sydney is a beautiful city.


(there are many beautiful cities, Sydney is one)

Sydney is the capital of NSW.


There is only one capital of NSW.
a / an or the

I bought __sandwich and __ milkshake.


___sandwich was nice but __ milkshake
was horrible.

I bought a sandwich and a milkshake. The


sandwich was nice but the milkshake was
horrible.

the sandwich and the milkshake = my sandwich and my milkshake


Definite Article
The refers to
specific or particular
nouns .
We use the when it is clear which person or
thing we mean. For example:
the roof, the backyard, the kitchen (house)

Wheres Sam? Hes in the kitchen.

the station, the airport, the bank (city or town)

the door, the ceiling, the light ( a room)


The
the same
Peter and Brian live in the same street.
(not in same street)
the sun/the moon/ the sky / the city / the
country
I live in the city. (not - I live in city)
the police / the airforce / the army
the top / the bottom / the left / the right
Do not use the with:
Names of people and names of places.
I went to Canberra yesterday.
I went to the Canberra yesterday. X
I saw Sue last week.
I saw the Sue last week. X
breakfast / lunch / dinner
days / months/ years
Answers: Exercise 1
1 We enjoyed our holiday. The hotel was very nice.
2 Can I ask a question?
3 You need a holiday.
4 Wheres Tom? Hes in the bathroom.
5 Jane is an interesting person.
6 A: Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the city centre?
B: Yes, you go straight ahead and then take the next turn left.
7 A: Shall we go out for a meal this evening?
B: Yes, Thats a good idea.

8 Its a nice morning. Lets go for a walk.


9 Amanda is a good student. When she finishes her studies she wants to be a
journalist. She lives with two friends in a flat near the college where she is
studying. The flat is small but she likes it.
10 Peter and Mary have got two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is seven
years old and the girl is three. Peter works in a factory. Mary hasnt got a
job at the moment.
Answers: Exercise 2
1 Can you open the door please?
2 How far is it to the airport?
3 Can I have a cup of coffee please?
4 Thats a nice picture. I like it.
5 Can you turn off the radio please?
Why are you sitting on the floor?
Answers: Exercise 3
1 Dont forget to turn off the light when you go out.
2 Enjoy your holiday and dont forget to send me a
postcard.
3 What is the name of this village?
4 Canada is a very big country.
5 What is the largest city in Canada?
6 I like this room but I dont like the colour of the carpet.
7 Are you OK? No, Ive got a headache.
8 We live in an old house near the station.
9 What is the name of the director of the film we saw last
night.
Quick Quiz
a / an / the or nothing.

1. Last night I stayed home and watched ____ television.


2. ____ Mary used to live in ____ country.
3. What do you usually eat for ____ breakfast?
4. Whats Sue doing? Shes on ____ phone.
5. ____Mike is ____ good student.
6. ____Peter is _____ youngest student in the class.
7. ____ Sydney is ____ interesting city.
8. This class is ____ best class at using articles.
Quick Quiz
a / an / the or nothing.

1 Last night I stayed home and watched television.


2 Mary used to live in the country.
3 What do you usually eat for breakfast?
4 Whats Sue doing? Shes on the phone.
5 Mike is a good student.
6 Peter is the youngest student in the class.
7 Sydney is an interesting city.
8 This class is the best class at using articles.
How to improve your use of articles
Read and read and read
Borrow some grammar books - :
Essential Grammar in Use and English
Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
have several units on articles (the
exercises you have done today are from
Essential Grammar in Use)

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