Definite and indefinite articles: a an-the
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This document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles in English. It explains that "a" and "an" are indefinite articles used with singular nouns, and "a" is used before consonant sounds while "an" is used before vowel sounds. It also discusses the definite article "the" and when it is used to refer to something already mentioned or something unique. The document provides examples of the correct usage of "a", "an", and "the" and cases when they should not be used.
Definite and indefinite articles: a an-the
- 1. The use of indefinite and definite articles A, AN or THE 2014
- 2. A and AN A and An are indefinite articles. Both of them works with singular nouns. They stand for in Spanish: un or 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 2
- 3. How do we use them? 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 3
- 4. We use A before words that begin with consonants. For example: A car. A plane. A beautiful doll. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 4
- 5. We use AN before words that begin with vowels. For example: An ugly pottery. An airplane. An orange. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 5
- 6. In both cases, the recognition was visual. But we can also recognize the use of these articles by using our hear. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 6
- 7. We can use A before the vowel u and before the dipthonge eu, when it sounds like the word ‘you’(/juː/) 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 7
- 8. Here we have some examples: A university /ə ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəti/ A European city /ə ˌjʊrəˈpiːən ˈsɪti/ 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 8
- 9. What happened with h words? 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 9
- 10. We use an before words that begin with a silent h like the word hour. An hour /ən ˈaʊər/ 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 10
- 11. We use A with a hard h like the word house. A house /ə haʊs/ 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 11 oxford grammar practice #49
- 12. When do we use A or AN? *To talk about something for the first time. I found a pencil. * With jobs or professions. She is a nurse. * In exclamations/phrases with a/an+ (countable singular) noun. What an excellent day! 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 12
- 13. THE THE is a definite article. It can be used with singular, plural and uncountable nouns. THE stands for in Spanish: el – la – los – las. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 13
- 14. When do we use THE? * When we talk about something we mention before. I have a nice dress. The dress is white. * With rivers, seas, oceans, deserts and island or mountain groups. The Andes. The Atacama desert. The Pacific ocean. * When it is clear in the situation which thing or person we mean. Can I borrow the red pen? Can I use the bathroom, please? * With superlatives. She is the best student at school. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 14
- 15. When do we use THE? * When there is only one of something. Santiago is the capital of Chile. The moon is very bright tonight. * To refer to a system or service. I heard it on the radio. You should call the police. * With musical instruments. She is playing the piano and her sister the bass. * With adjectives like poor, rich, or evan group of people. Life can be very easy for the rich. I think the poor don't have to pay taxes. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 15
- 16. DO NOT USE THE... *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 What did you have for lunch? What did you have for the lunch? X 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 16
- 17. DO NOT USE THE... *When we talk about people or things in general. Credit cards are essential now. The credit cards are essential now.. X * With continents, lakes, individual islands and mountains , and most countries They went to Chungara lake last week. They went to the Chungara lake last week. X 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 17
- 18. DO NOT USE THE... *days / months/ years She will go there on Monday. She will go there on the Monday. X * In some prepositional phrases (at-by-to). He stays at home. He stays at the home.X I go to school on foot. I go to school on the foot.X 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 18
- 19. DO NOT USE THE... *For institutionssuch as school, churches. Colleges, jails, and when talking about the main function of the institution. My brother is in jail. My brother is in the jail. X * In certain time expressions. We'll finish school next year. We'll finish school the next year.X 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 19
- 20. Let's practice!!! 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 20
- 21. Fill in the blanks with: a / an / the or (/). 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. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s 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. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 21
- 22. Fill in the blanks with: a / an / the or (/). 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. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s 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. 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 22
- 23. Material created and selected by Danitza Lazcano Flores Teacher of English Master in Education and Educational counselor 10/30/14 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 23