Three Rules for Using A, AN and THE
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This document provides guidelines for using the articles "a", "an", and "the" in English. It states that "the" is used with specific nouns, "a" or "an" with general nouns, or plurals can be used for general nouns. It also lists four exceptions: "the" is used with musical instruments, and "a"/"an" is used with prices/frequencies/speeds, hundreds/thousands/millions, and jobs/occupations. The document reinforces the rules and exceptions through examples.
Three Rules for Using A, AN and THE
- 1. Three Rules When to use a, an or the Image courtesy of (www.bridgesconsultancy.com)
- 2. BEFORE YOU BEGIN 1. The word the is used before a noun with a specific meaning. 2. The word a or an is used before a noun with a general meaning. 3. For a noun with a general meaning, the plural form can be used instead of a or an.
- 3. the = specific meaning The boy in the picture is smiling. However, the boys in the left corner are angry.
- 4. a or an = general meaning A boy is a young male human being. Any young male human is a boy.
- 5. Plural = general meaning In many societies around the world, boys are expected not to cry when they become men or when they are considered as adults.
- 6. a, an, plural = general meaning A boy is a young male human being. In my society, only boys cry. A man who cries is considered weak. Men who are strong are never seen to cry in public.
- 7. the = specific meaning In my society, only girls and boys cry. However, boys that never cry are considered strong. The boy who cries is considered to be like a girl.
- 8. a, an, plural = general meaning In my society, only girls and boys cry. However, a boy who never cries is considered strong. Boys who cry are considered to be like a girl.
- 9. ONE MORE TIME 1. The word the is used before a noun with a specific meaning. 2. The word a or an is used before a noun with a general meaning. 3. For a noun with a general meaning, the plural form can be used instead of a or an.
- 10. Three Rules How to use a, an or the Image courtesy of (www.bridgesconsultancy.com)
- 11. SUMMARY 1. When mentioning a noun for the first time, use a or an. At next mention (2nd, 3rd, etc. time), use the. 2. When a noun is described specifically, use the. 3. When you and your receiver know the noun you are talking about, use the.
- 12. RULE 1
- 13. RULE 1 When mentioning a noun for the first time, use a or an. At next mention (2nd, 3rd, etc. time), use the.
- 15. 1ST MENTION
- 16. 1ST MENTION
- 17. 2ND MENTION
- 18. 2ND MENTION
- 19. 1ST MENTION 2ND MENTION Mothers can follow five steps in a visual poster that shows how to create a cold lotion. Since the poster is for illiterate mothers, pictures can show how the cold lotion looks like.
- 20. RULE 2
- 21. RULE 2 When a noun is described specifically or has one specific meaning, use the.
- 22. RULE 2 the we use when there is only one of something
- 23. RULE 2 I’m the leader of this group.
- 24. RULE 2 the You could be next winner of our singing competition.
- 25. RULE 2 Control of insect bites among the AiU student population.
- 26. RULE 2 Use of the Divine Command Principle to Lessen Plagiarism
- 27. RULE 3
- 28. RULE 3 When you and your receiver (listener, reader or audience) know what you are talking about, use the.
- 29. RULE 3 May I turn on the TV?
- 30. RULE 3 Where’s Mary? She’s in the kitchen.
- 31. however, there are some special uses of a/an and the
- 32. 4 Exceptions TO THE THREE RULES Image courtesy of (www.bridgesconsultancy.com)
- 33. EXCEPTION 1 we use the with musical instruments
- 34. EXCEPTION 1 the guitar. Jane plays the violin. I play
- 36. a or an = general meaning I can play a guitar = I can play any guitar. Jane can play a piano = She can play any piano.
- 37. EXCEPTION 2 a an we use or with prices, frequency and speeds
- 38. EXCEPTION 2 prices It costs 2 dollars a liter
- 39. EXCEPTION 2 frequency I drink about three bottles of water a day
- 40. EXCEPTION 2 speeds You’re traveling at ninety miles an hour
- 41. EXCEPTION 3 a an we use or before hundred, thousand, and million
- 42. EXCEPTION 3 a hundred people a thousand days
- 43. EXCEPTION 4 a an we use or for talking about jobs, occupations or careers
- 44. EXCEPTION 4 I’m a bank manager
- 46. BACK TO RULE 2
- 47. RULE 2 When a noun is described specifically or has one specific meaning, use the.
- 48. RULE 2 the we use when there is only one of something
- 49. EXCEPTION 4 I’m a bank manager
- 50. RULE 2 I’m the bank manager here.
- 52. ONE MORE TIME Use a or an with • hundred, thousand, million • jobs, occupations, careers
- 53. ONE MORE TIME Use the with • musical instruments • prices • speeds • frequency • speeds
- 54. and ... ONE MORE TIME Nouns with specific meanings • Use the before the noun.
- 55. and ... ONE MORE TIME Nouns with general meanings • Use a or an before the noun, or • Use the plural form.
- 56. and ... THE LAST ONE Use a or an • When mentioning a noun the first time.
- 57. and ... THE LAST ONE Use the • At next mention of the noun • When a noun is described specifically • When you and your audience know the noun you are talking about
- 58. END OF PRESENTATION Send comments or suggestions to mr.jaime.aiu@gmail.com THANK YOU
- 59. Reference Coe, N., Harrison, M. And Paterson K. (2006). Basic with Answers. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.