Presentation 3 definite & indefinite articles
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The document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles in English. It provides examples of when to use indefinite articles like "a" and "an", the zero article, and the definite article "the". It explains that indefinite articles are used with non-specific nouns, the zero article with plural or non-count nouns, and the definite article when the noun is definite or unique in some way. The document uses examples from an African safari to illustrate article usage.
Presentation 3 definite & indefinite articles
- 1. 3 Definite and Indefinite Articles An African Safari Focus on Grammar 5 Part III, Unit 8 By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 2. Trip to Kenya Trip to Kenya Look at the letter. Fill in the blanks with a, an, the or no article. Explain your answers to a partner. You will check your answers at the end of the presentation. Dear Marta, We took ____ most wonderful trip last month. We went on ____ great safari. ____ safari was in Kenya and we saw ____ lions and ____hippos up close! ____ experience was great. ____ only problem was my husband was bitten by ____ mosquito, but since we had taken malaria medicine before we came, ____ Dr. Matuka said he would be okay. Love, Gloria
- 3. Indefinite Article 1 Indefinite Article 1 When we don’t have a particular person, place, or thing in mind, we use non-specific nouns. Use the indefinite article a/an with non-specific singular count nouns. I’d love to hold a baby lion. any baby lion; no particular lion in mind
- 4. Indefinite Article 2 Indefinite Article 2 A noun is often indefinite the first time a speaker mentions it. It is usually definite after the first mention. 1st Mention We went on a safari last year. 2nd Mention The safari was very educational.
- 5. Zero Article 1 Zero Article 1 Use zero article (no article) with non-specific plural count nouns and non-specific non-count nouns. Non-Specific Plural Count Noun Zero Article Hippos feel at home in water. water Non-Specific Non-Count Noun Zero Article Meerkats are very interesting animals to watch.
- 6. Generic Nouns Generic Nouns A noun is generic when it represents all members of a class or category. There are three ways to use count nouns generically. zero article + plural count noun 1. Cheetahs are predatory animals. indefinite article + count noun 2. A cheetah is a predatory animal. zero article + non-count noun 3. Water is essential for all animals to survive.
- 7. Zero Article 2 Zero Article 2 Use zero article before the names of people or their titles, names of most countries, and habitual locations. Kanika spends four days a week at work and two days a week in school. Ambassador Mukasa was born in Tanzania but spent most of his life in Kenya.
- 8. Practice 1 Look at the sentences. Complete them with an indefinite article or no article. Explain your answers to a partner. A Example: _____ zebra came right up to me! 1. We stayed in _____ nice lodge. _____ game reserves a usually have lodges nearby. 2. That kind of bird is usually found in _____ Zambia. an 3. Have you ever seen _____ elephant up close? a 4. This is _____ great vacation. a 5. I would love to be _____ game warden. 6. A: Do you often see _____ warthogs at game reserves? B: Oh, yes. There are some right over there.
- 9. Definite Article 1 Definite Article 1 A noun is definite when we know the particular person, place, or thing being talked about. Use the definite article the with non-count nouns and singular and plural nouns that are definite. The vultures have found something to eat. Yeah, I see them. Let’s get closer and take a picture.
- 10. Definite Article 2 Definite Article 2 Use the definite article with nouns that describe something unique. Nanyuki, Kenya, is located on the equator. There is only one equator.
- 11. Definite Article 3 Definite Article 3 An adjective can often make a noun represent something unique. Examples of such adjectives are right, wrong, first, only, and the comparative and superlative forms. Superlative Adjective Unique Adjective That is the tallest giraffe I’ve first giraffe is The ever seen! eating.
- 12. Definite Article 4 Definite Article 4 The definite article is used with the names of public places, some countries, and many geographical regions or features. My friends from the to I went to the library Netherlands is located along Kenya are visiting Tanzania this learn more about Kenya. year. Indian Ocean. the
- 13. Practice 2 Look at the letter again and fill in the blanks. Did your ideas on article usage change? Check your answers. Dear Marta, We took ____ most wonderful trip last the month. We went on ____ great safari. a ____ safari was in Kenya and we saw The ____ lions and ____hippos up close! ____ experience was great. ____ The The only problem was my husband was bitten by ____ mosquito, but since we a had taken malaria medicine before we came, ____ Dr. Matuka said he would be okay. Love, Gloria
- 14. References References Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.