Articles ('a', 'an', 'the')
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This document discusses the usage of the articles "a", "an", and "the" in English. It explains that "a" is used before consonant sounds, "an" before vowel sounds, and "the" when referring to something specific. It provides examples and exceptions to the rules, such as how "the" is used with superlatives, plural country names, and phrases including "of". It also discusses special cases for occupations, religions, numbers, buildings, seasons, meals, and means of transport.
Articles ('a', 'an', 'the')
- 1. A rticles
- 2. T here are three articles in English a an the
- 3. a / a n A/an is used when you you don’t know exactly what you are talking about. I saw a cat this morning. I bought a CD last week.
- 4. W hen do you use a or an? a is used in front of consonant sounds. an is used in front of vowel sounds. a car, a bike, but also a uniform, a one-man-show an apple, an eye, but also an hour, an MP
- 5. T he The is used when you know exactly what you are talking about The cat I saw this morning was black. I met a man today. The man was very friendly.
- 6. O ther uses of a/an For occupation: I am a teacher; he is a soldier. For religions: she is a Christian; he is a Muslim. For 100 and 1000: a hundred people were present; he won a thousand pounds.
- 7. Y ou don’t use a/an When an occupation can only be held by one person: Who is president of the United States? You can also use the here: Who is the president of the United States?
- 8. O ther uses of the Before things of which there is only one: the moon, the earth Before plural country names: the Netherlands, the United States Before the names of rivers, canals, seas and oceans: the Thames, the Atlantic Ocean
- 9. O ther uses of the In phrases with of: the University of London, the singer of Queen In superlatives: the best, the biggest For general groups of people: the poor, the rich
- 10. Y ou don’t use the Before a noun with a general meaning: life is short, love is like a rose. Before seasons or meals: I’ll see you in summer, I had eggs at breakfast. Before the names of streets, mountains, parks: I live in Oxford street, Mont Blanc is a high mountain, I live near Hyde Park. Before most: Most people like icecream.
- 11. S pecial case: buildings You don’t use the when you are talking about the function of a building: I go to church every Sunday. My brother is in hospital. You do use the when you are talking about the building itself: I like the church of my town. I am going to the hospital to visit my brother.
- 12. F inal note When you talk about specific seasons, meals or means of transport you do use the: The summer of 69. The breakfast I had this morning was delicious. I always travel by bus, but the bus broke down yesterday.
- 13. Q uestions?